Taillight Bulb

I normally ride an 04 R1150RTA. I recently traveled to a law enforcement event with a partner following me in a sedan. When he arrived, he told me he could barely see my taillight, even though we were in pitch black mountainous areas on the way. Brake light- good to go. Taillight, like a firefly. I rode behind him for a mile or so the next mor ing, and it was true. So- short of aftermarket modulators, is there a brighter bulb (part number) I can order to increase my posterior visibility? I can get replacement bulbs from the local autozone, but they have nothing brighter in the configuration I need. Thanks.

try superbriteled's.com

for replacement bulbs that are VERY bright!!!

Or add one of the aftermarket options ,some on the license plate bracket.

Increases your rear visibilty to others. These are LED clusters that can be set up for running lights only or also brake lights.
Hyper-lites, Skene or Run-n-lites are some of the brands.

auto bulbs

I have seen that happen to people who use auto bulbs. Buy Osram motorcycle bulbs.

Aftermarket LEDs are a great add-on even with a good tail light. But have you checked your bulb and the contacts in the bulb housing? A standard tail/brake light bulb should be more visible than a firefly even at a distance. You can check the voltage drop for the tail light circuit against the brake light circuit. You might need to clean the contacts on the bulb and/or socket or replace them. There could also be bad connection "upstream" of the socket, but I'd start looking there.

Beware that LED lamps by themselves will trigger a lamp fail if you have servo brakes unless you add resistance to each circuit.

JDOCKERY132445 said:

I have seen that happen to people who use auto bulbs. Buy Osram motorcycle bulbs.

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Correct idea, but the word you want instead of "auto" is "american." Something called, for example, 1157, has no place on a German vehicle.

For those using amerikaan bulbs, I've seen 1156, 1157, 2357, and others quoted as the right bulb for either the tail light or the brake light. Some helpful gent told me it wasn't rocket science and referred me to a site that didn't have any bulb suitable for an R1150RT. Which of the engrish bulbs is right for tail and brake applications, should one have a burnout away from the BMW shops we find on every corner?

Bulbs

Here is a link that is very informative. Enjoy.

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/lamps.htm

Nice. Thanks.

lkchris said:

Correct idea, but the word you want instead of "auto" is "american." Something called, for example, 1157, has no place on a German vehicle.

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04 1150RT here. It's quite easy to convert the upper bulb to a dual filament, and this instantly doubles the size of the tail light. The difference between the new upper light & the brake light is still easily distinguished.

I haven't decided yet if I'll also swap the lower bulb for another dual filament; space is much tighter but maybe the smaller dual-filament bulb (with a new socket of course) from Borg-Warner will fit?

With a hot knife or a stepped drill bit, it's also easy to modify the turn signal inner housing to insert (and epoxy) a set of the dual-function HyperLites. Looks stock, a lot better than sticking them on the outer plastic. Aim them carefully as the epoxy sets. 'Tis a Good Thing to not only have more lights, but to look wider as well.

ALWAYS check for the proper functioning of all tail & brake light bulbs prior to a ride - the bike's computer will fake you out if a filament dies; it takes a hard close look to spot that you may need a new bulb in there.