1986 R80RT lighting question

[PeoriaMac]

I thought that back in the 70's, BMW like other bike mfg's, had gone to the "headlights always on" scheme as required by the US DOT. Now, I notice my new-to-me 86 R80RT has headlkight on/off switch on the left handlebar. Am I right in guessing this is a Euro/Canada add-on or the PO bought the bike in Canada?

Mac

 

[88bmwjeff]

Yes, some people have switched to the Euro light switch. My 88 RT has the Euro switch for the lights.

 

[PeoriaMac]

Thanks... For one my assuptions were correct.

 

[PeoriaMac]

I really do write better than this. I'm blaming the laptop keyboard.

 

[bikerfish1100]

BMW went to "lights always on" in 1979.

 

[happy wanderer]

I can't remember what year it was when Canada legislated daytime running lights. I think it was 1985. In any case, the statistical evidence that it saves lives was overwhelming. Having daytime headlights even at lowered power definitely saves lives. No question about it.

A lot of folks argued that mileage decreases due to extra alternator power required to run the lights. I believe that myth was also debunked.

Here's an interesting link:
http://www.usroads.com/journals/rmej/9912/rm991203.htm

 

[miairhead]

My 84 R100RT has switch for lights

My 84 R100RT has switch for lights. My 84 has light switch and headlights can be turned off, it all factory: also heated grips, and optional kick stater. It is not a Euro, but has about every option that BMW had in 84.

I had another 84 which has a VIN number only 6 digits apart that did not have the switch.

 

[patiodadio]

Interesting .... my 1988 RT has a factory off switch for the head light. Never thought about it before.



.

 

[PeoriaMac]

BMW went to "lights always on" in 1979.

Which makes things more interesting....since my 1978 R100/7 had no provision for turning
off the headlight....

Mac

 

[osbornk]

Which makes things more interesting....since my 1978 R100/7 had no provision for turning
off the headlight....

Mac

I thought most bikes went to no off switch in 1975. I know my 65 Honda CB500T vibrator didn't have an off switch.

 

[PHMARVIN]

My 84 R100RT has switch for lights. My 84 has light switch and headlights can be turned off, it all factory: also heated grips, and optional kick stater. It is not a Euro, but has about every option that BMW had in 84.

I had another 84 which has a VIN number only 6 digits apart that did not have the switch.

Hi, MIAirhead,
In 1984, I ordered an R100RS through an European dealer with USA specification. I ordered all available options except Nivomat shocks. These included kickstart gearbox, bags, crash bars, heavy duty shocks, emergency flasher, super tool kit, etc., etc. Heated grips were NOT on the option list. I ordered the Euro "headlight off" switch, but was told that, since it was a USA spec bike, it could not be included. I added one by myself, later. Mine was the next-to-last twin shock USA R100RS made, serial 6227336. Its production date was 09/84.

 

[lkchris]

BMW went to "lights always on" in 1979.

No, it was 1978. Only one year for that style switches. In '79 they went to the "conventional" turn signal switching.

ALL USA BMW from 1978 on came from factory with no headlight switching. Any USA bike from 1978 on that has it had it retrofitted by the owner.

 

[lkchris]

A lot of folks argued that mileage decreases due to extra alternator power required to run the lights. I believe that myth was also debunked.

Not "mythical" at all, as it's simple physics.

Better "theoretical," as it will be pretty difficult to measure and the difference will be very slight, but it does exist.

In the 21st century, car manufacturers are going to electric power steering, as the alternator loss is less than the loss incurred driving the hydraulics (again, it's not zero) and fuel economy improves.

It's not zero because work is done and it's not zero because in the case of the headlight, heat is generated. Physics. TINSTAAFL

 

[beemeruss]

Lighting

I have always considered it WAY safer to have my headlights on all the time.I can't imagine the need to have an off switch,but to each his own.IMHO It's part of the ATGATT thing.As stated,neither of my '78's have an off switch.BTW Ikchris,a NASA physicist once posited that TINSTAAFL(aunch)!

 

[bikerfish1100]

No, it was 1978. Only one year for that style switches. In '79 they went to the "conventional" turn signal switching.

ALL USA BMW from 1978 on came from factory with no headlight switching. Any USA bike from 1978 on that has it had it retrofitted by the owner.

i am 2nd owner of my '78 R100S. Lights on/off switch, from the dealer, no mods at all by the first owner.

 

[ISAMEMON]

I beleive that bikes zare so much more visable with lights on. If all is working correct, the lights do shut off while hitting the starter to avoid lots of drain.
However I have thought one day if I ever need to replace the handle assy on that side, Id like to have the eruo switch so I can shut em off like while in the shsop working on the bike, etc and also for the cool factor of
"wow look he has a euro switch"

 

[lkchris]

If all is working correct, the lights do shut off while hitting the starter to avoid lots of drain.

That's true, but if your bike was originally a headlights-always-on model, when you add the factory switch you must also change the headlight relay. Otherwise, headlight will come on when starting. This for '79-'84; not familiar with '85-'95 bikes. Doesn't apply to G/S, etc., either.

 

[lkchris]

i am 2nd owner of my '78 R100S. Lights on/off switch, from the dealer, no mods at all by the first owner.

Could have been keyed to production date, I suppose. The '78 R100S that I bought new had no provisions to turn off headlight.

I once had two 2007 Mercedes--2007 being the first year tire pressure monitoring was required. The car built in late 2006 didn't have it; the SUV built in early 2007 did.

Also, BMWs were selling SO slowly in '77-'78 that it's possible your bike was a '77 carryover not registered until 1978.

Might be interesting to punch in your VIN at realoem.com and determine actual production date.

 

[bikerfish1100]

Could have been keyed to production date, I suppose. The '78 R100S that I bought new had no provisions to turn off headlight.

I once had two 2007 Mercedes--2007 being the first year tire pressure monitoring was required. The car built in late 2006 didn't have it; the SUV built in early 2007 did.

Also, BMWs were selling SO slowly in '77-'78 that it's possible your bike was a '77 carryover not registered until 1978.

Might be interesting to punch in your VIN at realoem.com and determine actual production date.

Bike was a Motorsport, so no way it was a hold over '77. And it was not one of the "Euro" large pipe S/RS versions either, just the standard 38mm variant.

 

[happy wanderer]

Not "mythical" at all, as it's simple physics.

Better "theoretical," as it will be pretty difficult to measure and the difference will be very slight, but it does exist.

In the 21st century, car manufacturers are going to electric power steering, as the alternator loss is less than the loss incurred driving the hydraulics (again, it's not zero) and fuel economy improves.

It's not zero because work is done and it's not zero because in the case of the headlight, heat is generated. Physics. TINSTAAFL

Yes, it's obvious that you don't get something for nothing when it comes to energy.

I think the "myth" was that running lights cost you a lot more in gas mileage and wear and tear on alternators etc. This is simply not true. The cost is so minimal as to be judged "insignificant" or "barely noticable".

The point is the increase in safety margin should make the choice of daytime running lights vs. no daytime running lights pretty obvious. No physics here, just common sense and very convincing statistical results from a lot of studies.