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I have the 2nd Omega Rick built installed on a 84 RS & it is still going with over 175,000 miles on it. I am still testing it for him!
Skeeter
Snowbum has this article about alternator failures and at the start of the article he asks about the reliability of the Enduralast and Omega systems:
https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/rotorsfail.htm
Here is his article on the aftermarket systems:
https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/AftrMrktAlt.htm
Anton also lists some basics about aftermarket alternators:
http://largiader.com/articles/charging/
I recall the Michelin man look too, and used to wear so many layers I could hardly get on/off the bike. I also have nearly frozen to death a couple of times, when I underestimated the situations. The Goldwing and its 1200 watt system spoiled me with electric gear, and I usually used heated socks, pants, jacket and gloves simultaneously when temps were below 40 F. I am sure 600 watts will be plenty on the Airhead, but I hate to spend that much $. As is, with the Airhead's 240 watt system, I am good down to about 40, then I want more than just a jacket and grip warmers, both set on low, which is about all the 240 system can handle. At 68 years old, layering just doesn't keep my core warm enough anymore. Then too, I probably compounded the problem by losing 60 pounds almost 3 years ago (224 down to 164); I am definitely am more cold natured since. But electric heated clothing works very well. For this winter, maybe I will just jump on the Goldwing when temps are below 40.I remember all the years when I rode before the great advent of electric clothes and easily upgraded charging systems. I could have stood in for the Michelin man.
My first heated item was the handgrips on the RT. Second item was one of the first Widder electric vests. I don't recall it using a lot of power. I went a long time without electric clothes after I grew out of the Widder vest. The new jacket I purchased has more heating elements in it than did the poor old Widder so, it uses a bit more power. OF course, since I am wearing an electric jacket now, I am not bundling up with four layers of clothes to keep warm. That means the thermostat on the jacket is set higher and gobbles more power. Then, I added electric pant liners. No way with the current drain, would my poor stock system keep up. The 600 Watt Omega system I have now does a fine job.
I never owned a Gold Wing K bike or post 84 airhead so I was never spoiled by a better charging system than the one on the BMW airhead. Maybe if I had ridden one of the OM bikes, I might be writing in a different forum. St.