FITTING BMW AUX./FOG LIGHTS TO YOUR LC GS

[ghost-rider]

spoke to me local bmw today to get a quote for supply only an supply an fit of the led aux. driving/fog lights, prices were as I expected and to be honest im tempted to just let em fit em for the little difference there is between supply only an supply an fit, anyway my question is, parts guy says there fitting instructions for the lights say that the bike has to be plugged into there computer after the lights are fitted???, but he couldn't tell me why exactly, whether this is just standard practice?? or whether the computer has to turn on a part of the canbus circuit on etc??, so does anyone know, or has anyone already fitted a set???

cheers in advance, andy

 

[Bryn]

Not sure why they'd need to plug it in... but really pleased with mine ( on a 2009) , they're really bright... so a good addition

 

[Villanjc]

What was the price BTW?

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[snaponphil]

I was led to believe bike needs plugging in to upgrade ECU to activate the circuit for the led aux lights, they may just work but more likely the ECU will sense extra drain on circuit & trip overload on canbus.
It's not a 5 minute job to fit the light bracket under the front beak, & I'm guessing total Job must be near 1.5hrs at dealer rates, so I would expect at least £100 off for self fitting..
(As I said guessing)

 

[Gargy]

Don't know if this would inspire you to do something else.......................

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?367965-DRL-s-and-home-made-lighting-bar

 

[WindyChuffer]

Suggest you fit the LED lights from BMW but your own switch and relay.

The canbus switched led lights are a right pita and seem to have a mind of their own.

I want to leave mine on so they switch on next time I use the bike. Each time I start the bike I currently have to fanny around with daytime running light switch and fog light switch. So I feel some rewiring coming on.

 

[Nutty]

Suggest you fit the LED lights from BMW but your own switch and relay.

The canbus switched led lights are a right pita and seem to have a mind of their own.

I want to leave mine on so they switch on next time I use the bike. Each time I start the bike I currently have to fanny around with daytime running light switch and fog light switch. So I feel some rewiring coming on.

First world problem, right there!

 

[ghost-rider]

looking at one or two of the replies, I sought of suspect that the canbus will shut the lights down until its told not too, or possibly wont come on at all, as for the cost it is 1hr to fit, and I can get em supply only for £348 or supply an fit for £428, ive got no quarms in fittin em meself, but if they aint gonna work until there activated, that's another cost into the mix, so it begs the question whether its less hassle to just ride in hav a coffee an ride out,job dun

 

[malcopopolo]

Plenty of people have used a supply from the canbus to feed led aux lights. My self included with no problems

 

[ghost-rider]

Plenty of people have used a supply from the canbus to feed led aux lights. My self included with no problems

but from what I can gather, and this may be wrong, the loom for the genuine lights plugs into the actual headlight loom as opposed to just tapping into the loom somewhere else, like I say this may be wrong.

 

[malcopopolo]

The correct way is as per BMW. Manufacture instructions generally in most cases over ride every thing else. If you are prepared to spend 350 then addition cost to have them fitted is not that great. I fitted hella lights with led bulbs using an aftermarket light bar. Total cost 110. Cost saving far greater for me but not genuine BMW fitment. Using a piggyback fuse connector I could remove the connections and no trace left behind. The choice is yours...


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[Jersey bean]

Hi I fitted my lights ordered from bmw and had them turned on when the bike was serviced. We'll pleased with them.

 

[ghost-rider]

Hi I fitted my lights ordered from bmw and had them turned on when the bike was serviced. We'll pleased with them.

so, they didn't work at all, when you first fitted them???

 

[Bails]

Fitted myself and had BMW log them in ! Easy job with instructions from dealer on how tho fit.

 

[Jersey bean]

That's right they need to be turned on by the dealer.

 

[jtb]

Suggest you fit the LED lights from BMW but your own switch and relay.

The canbus switched led lights are a right pita and seem to have a mind of their own.

I want to leave mine on so they switch on next time I use the bike. Each time I start the bike I currently have to fanny around with daytime running light switch and fog light switch. So I feel some rewiring coming on.

I do this. I have the auto drl turned off in setup (ie I have the headlight on all the time), and the fog lights stay on from one use of the bike to the next. However ... when you switch the ignition on next time, the headlight and fog lights will come on - but if you don't then start the bike fairly promptly, the bike's brain switches the fog lights back off to reduce current drain. But if you switch the ignition on and start the bike straight away - then it works the way you want it.

 

[WindyChuffer]

First world problem, right there!

Sums up the forum and motorbikes nicely. After all very few of us actually need a bike and those that do, any old shyte bag bike would do the job.

Now have you got anything constructive to add to this thread? ☺

 

[JulesDive]

where do the BMW extra lights fit ? on a GS1200LC

Are they somewhere high up (say radiator level) or are they low down (say on the engine bars) ?

Any photos from folks who have the genuine BMW article fitted would be much appreciated !

Cheers !

 

[crotchrocket]

They come with a light bar, mounted just under the front beak. The GSA mounts lower, on the engine bars.

 

[theaaman]

How the genuine BMW lights work

The lights on the LC bike work in quite a clever way but it can be confusing at first.

If the running light is set to automatic in the computer then this will always come on in daylight. (BMW consider this to be more conspicuous in daylight). If the conditions change and it gets darker, say you drive into a tunnel, or simply dusk comes along, then the lights will automatically change over to the dip beam. They will revert back to the running light once clear of the tunnel.
If you have used the auxiliary lamps with the dip beam last time they were on then all three lamps come on. You have the option of switching the aux lamps on or not depending on the conditions but they will only work when the dip beam is on and not with the running light.
If you set the computer to have the running light off normally then you have the option of switching the lights between running and dip by simply using the light switch on the left bar.

I haven't fitted lamps on the new LC bike but have done four sets to the air cooled bikes. It was the case that the parts all went together perfectly and all the connections and brackets etc were all where they should be. On the older bikes the lamps had bulbs and you really only needed to tell the ECU they were fitted to have a bulb failure show on the dash, but even the later LED ones still worked as soon as they were fitted. Not so the LC version but the dealer only has to plug in to the bike to make the necessary adjustment.

hope that helps you