Light Set up for R1200GS

[Alan1963]

Not much on the site I note about light set ups for the R1200GS, so as my standard lights were c**p despite a bulb upgrade, and after reading all the posts on lights on other GSs I settled on the below solution and after a weekend's fiddling I have just completed fitting some lights to my 1200GS.

I used the excellent PIAA 510 kit, supplied by Mike at Woody's, along with his good advice. A class piece of kit and straightforward to fit, supplementing the main beam. PIAA light bar is excellent, although the groove in the rear into which you hide the wires is only really deep enough / wide enough to run one set of wires.

I decided to double up with the Hella Micro DEs (to run with the dipped beam - but with a switch just in case I get "politely asked" to turn them off at any time). These fit to the bar neatly enough under the PIAAs. However the Hella kit is nothing like the same quality (but massively less expensive to be fair) and requires you to make up your own wiring loom. I essentially copied the PIAA one doubling up on wires where possible.

Only really tricky piece was picking up the feeds and contorting my hands into interesting places to connect the switch and tap the feeds. Lots of connections, shrink wrap etc and the job was done.

So far so good. Very impressed with the Hella DEs - they really fill in the dipped beam and give excellent illumination of kerbs - and with no problems from oncoming traffic. And the PIAAs on main beam - amazing - like driving in daylight.

I'd recommend the set up to anyone and if I can fit them, pretty much anyone can!

 

[ianm00]

Where is Mike at woodys?

I would be interested in adding extra lights to mt 1200GS. Can you give an approx cost.

Thanks

Ian

 

[Alan1963]

Ian PIAA set up from Woodys was about £365, plus about £65 for the Hellas, plus a few quid for some odds & sods - cable, shrink wrap, decent connectors etc.

http://www.sportouring.co.uk/

 

[ianm00]

Thanks Alan.

Ian

 

[dirtydog]

Jesus Jones, that's expensive for the 510's try Norman'shttp://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PIA-EPA511B&variation=&aitem=5&mitem=8 I use the same set up as you on my 1150ADV, excellent, the de's make a huge difference!

 

[nadeem]

Nippy Norman stocks the same kit(s) with the PIAA Light Bar, etc - I've got the Xenon Light Kit.

 

[Alan1963]

Need to check the detail

Actually DirtyDog the devil is in the small print as they say (or something like that). Yes Nippy sells the PIAA light at £80, but I bought the kit that Nippy sells for £359. So I paid about £6 more, but then Mike at Woody's had spent plenty of this time investigating options and advising me, so I reckon he earnt my business.

 

[ianm00]

Alan,

What sort of switch is provided in the Woodys Kit?

Im interested in the PIAA 510 Kit, I would like to have the lights on a separate switch then provided I aim them low enough I would like to be able to use them for both dip/full beam.

Does the switch mount on the handlebars somewhere?

Thanks

Ian

 

[nadeem]

this is the switch that comes with the PIAA xenon kit - should be the same with the PIAA 510 kit as should the light bar...

 

[ianm00]

Nadeem,

Thanks for the pictures. Is there a handlebar mount of some kind provided for that switch?

I personally dont like the idea of it mounted inside the hand guard. I would like it mounted next to the switch gear.

Thanks

Ian

 

[nadeem]

Easy enough to do I think, I already had another switch mounted hence the handguard mount...

 

[ianm00]

Nadeem,

Yes that switch looks ideal. Does the PIAA kit include this bracket and switch arrangement?

Would I also need to have the Hella fog lights as well as the PIAA 510s or would these be suitable? Bascially I want additional lights to supplement the crap standard GS1200 lights for night time riding.

Thanks

Ian

 

[nadeem]

Ian, the green switch comes with the Wunderlich Microlights- I use these as fog lights and for added visibility when filtering, I'm pretty sure that the PIAA Switch should be able to mount the same as the wunderlich one. The PIAA Lights - I use as general driving lights in the evenings...

 

[ianm00]

Nadeem,

Thanks for the information and pictures. I did consider the wunderlich lights but Im not sure they are suitable for my needs.

I want some lights that I can use for driving in the night. I was hoping that I could wire the PIAA 510s to a switch and then use these lights both on dip and main beam. (maybe switch them on for filtering in the daytime as well)

I want to make the right choice as I think £350 is a lot of money for two lights!

Also as Ive had several problems with my bike I dont want anything the splices into the bike wiring loom.

The only other problem on my mind is about whether I will actually keep the bike. Its probably the best bike I've had for riding, however its also the most expensive bike I've ever bought and even though its only 10 months old (now 15000miles) it is by far the most unreliable bike that I've owned. (Previous bikes which I have had from new and kept about 3years each are Yamaha Diversion 900 & VFR800 VTEC doing 30000miles + on each bike)

Thanks

Ian

 

[nadeem]

I understand Ian, in that case I would say that the PIAA Kit is your best bet as they are bright enough for night riding and are easily adjustable with an Allen Key for angle, etc. The 350 quid seems a lot for lights, but that does include the light bar and all the wiring that you will need - nothing else is req'd.

As for splicing into the can-bus wiring - my wunderlich lights have been on the bike for 10 months with no problems and the PIAA ones for a month. Unless you've had problems with your electrics, I see no reason that it should cause any problems.

Sorry to hear that you have had issues with your bike and it's also a pity you're not nearer and I could show you the lights in person. At the end of the day I think the GS is an excellent bike and can't imagine having anything else as a main bike, so I hope you get it all sorted under warranty...

 

[ianm00]

Nadeem,

Thanks for your advice regarding the lights. I also agree that the GS1200 is one of the best bikes Ive had.

Initially I had ABS problems which resulted in the rear ABS sensors being changed twice, then eventually the whole ABS system was replaced. (sensors,controls unit and a complete new wiring loom!) Then the fuel gauge went wrong resulting in new fuel pump assembly. Just last week the oilbox seals leaked oil onto the clutch so I had 3 gearbox oil seals and complete cltch assembly replaced!

So not much more to go wrong! Hopefully all problems sorted now!

Thanks again

Ian

 

[verstichel]

Alan,

which screen do you have ?

 

[Alan1963]

The screen is from parabellum in the US. These aren't cheap, but I bought mine when the US $ was 1.9 to the £, so it was better at that time, even when HM Customs & Excise fleece you for duty on the item (and amazingly the postage you paid). I tried the TT spoiler on the standard screen before this, but that still didn't work for me. This one is much better. An almost turbulence free ride and especially good at relieving the pressure on the shoulders. My wife has a parabellum on her F650 which is equally good. Fitting was straightforward aside from the fact that US front indicators on a 1200GS are on longer stems than European ones, so I had to modify the bottom edge slightly to get it to fit. Even allowing for that fitting was only 90 minutes or so. And, as I say, I'm pleased with the result.

You'll find more info at http://www.parabellum.com/

 

[Alan1963]

Ian, yes Nadeem is right, same switch with the 510s. In my case the switch is tucked away behind one of the body side panels in the on position, as I wanted them triggered by the main beam switch. I too have had no problems from tapping into the main beam trigger wire. Incidentally, the other green switch Nadeem shows for his Wunderlich's is similar to one I used for my Hellas. I mounted mine on my TT cockpit cover below and to the left of the speedo (see picture). Not convenient for instant use, but then I only want it just in case I get asked to turn them off.