RS 1250 Spot lights.

[Mallard]

I can find (which I prefer) BMW spotlights for the 1250R, but nothing for the RS. Does anyone know if these will retro-fit an RS?

Looking at the fitment for the R, I get the impression that the mounting bar fits in the same location as the crash-bars. I have crash bars on my RS. Does fitting the spot-lights mean that I will have to remove the crash-bars and will the lights have to be programmed in?

 

[Welldc]

Got Denali's on my 1200RS. The bracket is somewhat complex and goes round the bodywork into the frame. The resultant position of the lights isn't great (a bit low and a long way back). Also the bracket isn't very secure at the light end and despite a hefty amount of force on the bolts, the lights droop over time.
I would prefer to mount them higher up, but have'nt seen a bracket which does that.

 

[casbar]

Think the RS uses the same spots as the RT. To get them to work you will need a switch and them programmed in by Mr BMW

 

[Welldc]

If you have crash bars and are happy with the position that gives, there is no reason you can't mount them there. You can use any lights, but would need to wire them in via a relay. Mine have the HexCan which plugs directly into the BMW wiring and allows all sorts of configuration options. This is simply done by downloading the HexCan programme onto a laptop and then plugging in to the HexCan itself. It is very simple to programme the options you want, ie: brightness, dimming when indicator on, flash with horn.

A good option if you don't want the expense of a HexCan, is the Healtech Thunder Box. It connects directly to the battery and has up to 4 outlets for accessories. It senses when the engine is on and switches the power on, and off again when the engine is turned off, so you can't accidentally leave something on and flatten the battery.

 

[casbar]

If you have crash bars and are happy with the position that gives, there is no reason you can't mount them there. You can use any lights, but would need to wire them in via a relay. Mine have the HexCan which plugs directly into the BMW wiring and allows all sorts of configuration options. This is simply done by downloading the HexCan programme onto a laptop and then plugging in to the HexCan itself. It is very simple to programme the options you want, ie: brightness, dimming when indicator on, flash with horn.

A good option if you don't want the expense of a HexCan, is the Healtech Thunder Box. It connects directly to the battery and has up to 4 outlets for accessories. It senses when the engine is on and switches the power on, and off again when the engine is turned off, so you can't accidentally leave something on and flatten the battery.

But he was asking about fitting the bmw spots, not aftermarket ones.

 

[Mallard]

But he was asking about fitting the bmw spots, not aftermarket ones.

Thanks for all the responses, I've considered most after market options, but as casbar said, I want to go the BMW retro fit route. Programming by a dealer would not be a problem. I haven't had a look at RT lights yet so that will be another option to consider. I am now thinking that if I want the BMW kit and I also want to retain the crash bars I may need to get the spot light retaining lugs welded to the crash bars; similar to the way they are mounted on the GSA's

 

[casbar]

Thanks for all the responses, I've considered most after market options, but as casbar said, I want to go the BMW retro fit route. Programming by a dealer would not be a problem. I haven't had a look at RT lights yet so that will be another option to consider. I am now thinking that if I want the BMW kit and I also want to retain the crash bars I may need to get the spot light retaining lugs welded to the crash bars; similar to the way they are mounted on the GSA's

There are plenty of aftermarket brackets that will fit the crash bars. On my RT I have illium brackets.

 

[steadysteve]

There are plenty of aftermarket brackets that will fit the crash bars. On my RT I have illium brackets.

Thanks for all the responses, I've considered most after market options, but as casbar said, I want to go the BMW retro fit route. Programming by a dealer would not be a problem. I haven't had a look at RT lights yet so that will be another option to consider. I am now thinking that if I want the BMW kit and I also want to retain the crash bars I may need to get the spot light retaining lugs welded to the crash bars; similar to the way they are mounted on the GSA's

I fitted a light mount bar to my 2023 1250RS using a BMW mounting bar off a 1200RS. No fitting issues at all. Two bolts and there is a locating hole on the bike, with a corresponding dowel on the mounting bar to keep it in the correct position.
I think the only difference is that the older bar is one piece, whereas the later mounts are supplied as two separate items , one for each side without the unnecessary centre section.

I Used a splitter wire (NN and BMW sell them) to the back of the USB socket so that the circuit is ‘fused’ by the canbus and also ignition controlled, and then via a switch to Durite led lamps.

 

[Mallard]

I fitted a light mount bar to my 2023 1250RS using a BMW mounting bar off a 1200RS. No fitting issues at all. Two bolts and there is a locating hole on the bike, with a corresponding dowel on the mounting bar to keep it in the correct position.
I think the only difference is that the older bar is one piece, whereas the later mounts are supplied as two separate items , one for each side without the unnecessary centre section.

I Used a splitter wire (NN and BMW sell them) to the back of the USB socket so that the circuit is ‘fused’ by the canbus and also ignition controlled, and then via a switch to Durite led lamps.

Thanks Steve, but I've got the BMW crash-bars fitted and I'm thinking that the crash-bars and the mounting bar that you've fitted both have the same frame mounting points. So, if I'm thinking correctly you can only have one or the other. Am I right?

 

[steadysteve]

Thanks Steve, but I've got the BMW crash-bars fitted and I'm thinking that the crash-bars and the mounting bar that you've fitted both have the same frame mounting points. So, if I'm thinking correctly you can only have one or the other. Am I right?

Aah right, yeah possibly. I’ll take a piccy side on tomorrow.

 

[littleade]

I've got a pair of these that I use with my chinky knock-off aux lights. NN say they're compatible with the BMW crash bars so might be an option?

MachineArt mark 2 Light Bars - R1200R LC/RS LC, R1250R LC/RS LC

www.nippynormans.com

 

[Mallard]

I've got a pair of these that I use with my chinky knock-off aux lights. NN say they're compatible with the BMW crash bars so might be an option?

MachineArt mark 2 Light Bars - R1200R LC/RS LC, R1250R LC/RS LC

www.nippynormans.com

View attachment 324573

Thanks Littleade, these also use the frame lugs where my crash bars fit. I think the Illium mounts suggested by casbar are looking a good option

 

[steadysteve]

Aah right, yeah possibly. I’ll take a piccy side on tomorrow.

Rubbish pic but didn’t want to remove all the cable ties. Basically the bolt holding the mounting bar in place is behind the electrical connector in the middle of the pic.
I’m not sure but doesn’t the crash bar use the big bolt, left of centre?

 

[Mallard]

Thanks Steve. I've now also taken a few pictures. The BMW crash-bars fit inside the frame lugs. The NN ones suggested by littleade seem to fit on the outside of the frame lugs. So, I'm now thinking that the two maybe compatible. There are 2 pictures of my bike (L&R) - crash-bars are black, so a bit difficult to see, and 2 pictures of the light-bars from the NN site. Now, decisions decisions. Does the team think the idea will work?
I would still prefer to use the OE BMW lights, wiring, & switch.

 

[younger06]

Thanks Steve. I've now also taken a few pictures. The BMW crash-bars fit inside the frame lugs. The NN ones suggested by littleade seem to fit on the outside of the frame lugs. So, I'm now thinking that the two maybe compatible. There are 2 pictures of my bike (L&R) - crash-bars are black, so a bit difficult to see, and 2 pictures of the light-bars from the NN site. Now, decisions decisions. Does the team think the idea will work?
I would still prefer to use the OE BMW lights, wiring, & switch.

It says on the NN description that they are compatible with the BMW crash bars.

I will probably go down this route with my 1200RS

Sent with a Zen10

 

[littleade]

Thanks Steve. I've now also taken a few pictures. The BMW crash-bars fit inside the frame lugs. The NN ones suggested by littleade seem to fit on the outside of the frame lugs. So, I'm now thinking that the two maybe compatible. There are 2 pictures of my bike (L&R) - crash-bars are black, so a bit difficult to see, and 2 pictures of the light-bars from the NN site. Now, decisions decisions. Does the team think the idea will work?
I would still prefer to use the OE BMW lights, wiring, & switch.

I'll take a couple of photos for you later to show how they fit as my frame is white so you'll be able to see for sure. From.memory there's a hole in the frame on a lug that the light bars bolt to, they don't use the frame bolt inside that circular metal bit. Mine are chinky knock offs for little money which I've used on 3 boxers so far. I power them from my hexezecan and have a switch on the handlebars that switches the common earths rather than the single positives as I've got the hex programmed so the aux lights turn off individually when my indicators are on and the lights pulse when the horn is used. It works for a cheakskate like me . Either way the actual fitment of the bars and lights is the same

 

[littleade]

It says on the NN description that they are compatible with the BMW crash bars.

I will probably go down this route with my 1200RS

Sent with a Zen10

It does, for peace of mind you can send them back in line with NN's T&Cs if they don't fit

 

[littleade]

Here you go. Top one is of the bracket on the RH side. The silver bolt in the centre goes through the hole in the frame lug, the bottom pic is of the LH side but is obscured a bit by my denali mini soundbomb, the silver bracket under the silver bolt is the mounting bracket for the horn but you can hopefully see how the bracket butts up against the round section of the frame that has the big frame bolt through it
HTH

 

[Mallard]

Thanks to all you guys for your time and input
First off I will invest in the NN light bars. If they fit OK with my crash-bars then I will invest in some lights. But this won't happen for a while as I'm just about to start my touring season
I will report back later on either my success or failure.