adding lights out back on RT

[Woody R]

Hi all, was wondering what others have done to add more lighting (brake)to 1150 RTs. I know BMW has an unattactive small light that the dealer said they should install. I was thinking of a GIVi top bag with intergrated brakes but they advise against it. I guess there are issues with ABS and adding rear lights.

Thanks in advance

[TMH]

I think that a couple of things might work out for you. I don't mind the little BMW available brake light which resides under the license plate, but a Brake! LED replacement light will be brighter and can be set to pulse (or not) when you apply the brakes. There is one specific for the R1150RT. Check out manufacturer's site here: http://www.homebody-design.com/index.html

 

Second, most states allow you to run your turn signals as running lights, and the Kisan SignalMinder allows this (plus gives you additional TS cancelling options). This gives a lot more visibility, both front and rear.

 

I don't really recall much of an issue with extra lights messing up ABS systems, but I do think that there is an issue with newer bikes which have the CanBus system.

 

Tom

[TracerBullet]

woody,

I have these http://www.hyperlites.com/ After seeing these on I will never have a bike without them

[Silver_Fox]

I agree with Tom on the LED unit from HomeBody (GizmoMill).

I have the unit on mine ('02 RT) and have the BMW aux. unit (used by the Police) bridged into it. Gives me plenty of visiblity in the rear. It is a pretty straight forward install and both LED units are designed for the ABS system so there is not a problem with adding them. No RID "failures" either.

Steve

[GearedForACure]

any LEDs specifically for the r1100rt? I did some looking a while back and couldnt find one amongst the plethora of r1150rt parts online.

[georgem]

The Hyper lites have a set for the 1100

[Nevets]

Check out these also. A LOT less expensive.

I've had good luck with them....

 

http://store.tireflysonline.com/podbrake.html

[Ken/OC]

I have both the Givi box with brakelights and Hyperlites on my 1150RT. Caused no problems but I later put them on a realy anyway. Instructions are here.

[bmw_rider]

Who said no to the GIVI? My dealer made the connection for mine at a routine service. No issues.

[No_Twilight]

Another option: I believe the RT has the same configuration as I do on my RS. If you use a dual filiment 1157 bulb for the brake/tail light and a seperate single filiment bulb down below for a running light you can do this. I replaced the single element bulb socket with a second 1157 socket and then bought one of the LED taillights with a spinning LED during braking and put it in the originaal brake light socket. Then I put a normal 1157 in the new socket I installed. This give me the intensity of te LEDs straight back and the wide angle viewing of the conventional bulb and double brightness. I think it's pretty effective and it cost about $15 total. --Jerry

[USAF1]

I just finished hooking up a (4 x 6") running light/brake light combination after cutting out a hole in the mud flap for fitting. It has 36 LED's!! And it REALLY shows up good!!

 

Pat

[mountainred]

LED's is the way to go. But if you are short on cash, you can purchase 2 lights (15$) and a relay, spade connectors and wire(12$) from kragen Auto. I used the dual pronged spade connectors on the tail and brake lights to switch the relay. Works good and is real %&^% bright.

[co_g30]

Here's a $30 option, using LED grill lights, spliced into the brake light circuit. More details in the blog.

 

Movie of lights in action

 

[bmwmick]

I like 'em. Do you have a fancy blinking brake lamp too or is that just the glare from the new LEDs?

 

Thanks for the source.

 

Mick

[Indy Bill]

That is where I stuck my HyperLites. Don't care if they are more expensive. The darned things work!

[MattP]

I went a little unconventional on my previous 1100RT... A company called Whelen makes a variety (ok, a TON) of emergency lighting and equipment for police/fire/EMS. Two of their products can be adapted extremely well for additional/auxiliary brake light applications. The TIR3 and the LIN3 LEDs are AMAZINGLY bright. They are about 3.5" wide, 1.25" high and 1.25" deep. 2 lens variations (the LIN3 has a wider horizontal light dispertion), variety of colors (red and amber for us), draws about 0.5A. It's totally waterproof and has a self contained flasher that can be user-programmed to a variety of patterns, in addition to just a steady-burn. I had 6 of these as warning lights on my funeral escort/work bike, and they were so awesome I added one as an aux brake light. Got a TON of comments on it. They run about $65 new and are very high quality. They aren't 'packaged' as an add-on, so you have to be marginally handy in order to mount it and wire it, but I think the results are worth it. Because this is manufactured with public safety applications in mind it is far more solid than most of the aftermarket kits I've seen. Just another option. take a look at the LEDs here, or google Whelen TIR3 http://www.swps.com/gensym-45.html

[Urban Surfer]

Hi all, was wondering what others have done to add more lighting (brake)to 1150 RTs. I know BMW has an unattactive small light that the dealer said they should install. I was thinking of a GIVi top bag with intergrated brakes but they advise against it. I guess there are issues with ABS and adding rear lights.

Thanks in advance

 

I have the GIVI top box with the brake lights. There is no problem wiring them up to the brake light. Those hyper lights are better in my opinion.

[AndyT]

I've installed the Hyperlites with running light that I got at the BMW MOA national rally last summer on sale! Easy to install with all the conections already installed and then just plug and play. I've had several people comment how great and obvious they were compared to the stock only light. Actually had a guy in a truck behind me at a light jump out just to ask me what and where I got them! He wanted them for his Harley!

[co_g30]

I like 'em. Do you have a fancy blinking brake lamp too or is that just the glare from the new LEDs?

 

Thanks for the source.

 

Mick

 

I have a brake light modulator module which blinks the brake light several times when I first apply the brake lever....

[ratfink]

JC Whitney has some inexpensive flashing and pulsing modules You can use with the existing bulbs. I have used the pulsating one (it works like a headlight mobulator) on the brakelight of my 99 RT. I haven't experieinced any ABS faults. I also have a headlight modulator fron JCW that wass $25.00. It works great.

 

I have the Kisan LED license plate set up. Leds are great at night but kind of wimpy in the daylight.

 

The Whitney items seem to be very good quality, made by Amperite.

 

Go to the JCWhitney website, click on the motorcycle tab and then lighting products, then Tailight or headlight accessories.

 

Regards RT Fink