Help me spend my $300

[LonestaRR]

I was given a $300 gift certificate today from some nice people for merchandise through our local BMW dealer. I had my bike there the past THREE WEEKS!!!! getting it's 600 mile service and some Piaa lights and the BRAKE!! light installed. (it's a long story on why it took them so long). They charged me $985 for the service, products (lights) and installation. I thought that was kind of high and I wish I had had the gift certificate before Friday when I got the bike back.

I would like to spend the $300 on additional lighting. I'm okay in the front now with the Piaas, but the rear light is not very much light and I want to be sure I'm seen. I know I can tap the new BRAKE light and send people into seizures from it's brightness, but I would like to be seen even when not braking. The dealer would not install the kit that turns your turn signals into running lights because they said they had trouble with them overheating the lenses. They had no other suggestions for me.

Can you tell me what modifications I can do to get more light at the back of the bike without the danger of overheating the lenses in the turn signals? I'm pretty sure they would order any part/accessory I want and let me use the gift certificate for it. I've read a thread here about the Kisan Signal minder, but the date on that thread was several months back and I didn't know if there were newer and better options.

If it doesn't take the whole $300 to light up the back of the bike, what other mod/acc would you suggest? I already have system cases, Givi windscreen, Piaa lights, engine guards and the BRAKE light and am waiting on a BMW rack and a tank bag to arrive. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[johnt650]

The Kisan Signalminder you mention does give you running lights using the turn signals, it also allows for the running lights to be at full power or at a reduced level. I used it on my R bike and then transferred to the RT and it has been trouble free.

[vinman]

http://www.hyperlites.com/

These work great. They work as running lights and brake lights and you can set them to either continuously flash when the brakes are applied, flash for 4-5 seconds after the brakes are applied and then stay on bright, or to not flash at all when the brakes are applied. These are bright and very easy to install. Worth the money. They have a kit specifically for the R1150R (same kit as for R1100S) that comes with a license plate bracket so the lights will mount on either side of the license plate.

Now you just need to figure out what to do with the other $225.

[Boxer]

There is also an add-on brake light that is part of a bracket that the OEM tag frame bolts onto. The additional brake light is across the bottom beneath the tag. I don't have this but it looks super! and would give additional brake lightage. You'll have to do a search for this contraption. I've seen it somewhere online recently.

I DO have the Hyperlights and feel a little safer knowing these things are blinking like crazy when I brake.

[bimrluvr]

Nice thing about the Hyperlites is that LEDs don't get as hot as incandescents, so melting lenses are not an issue.

Another cheap MUST have is the 3M Scotchlite reflective stickers available from Cyclegadgets or your dealer. There are kits made to be stuck to the backs of the System cases.

They easily quadruple your passive visible area from behind.

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/pr ... sp?Item=RK

[wardieone]

And upgrade your riding skills. Do a one or two day track school. Keith Codes Superbike School or Reg Pridmore have excellent schools that you can go into as a beginner and each year take the next level of classes. You will learn a lot especially how to stabilize the bike by using throttle control and very little braking. Another option if track days look too formidable is to go through a basic MSF course or upgrade to their experienced rider course. Its a good investment in you. Good luck. Wardieone

[TonyT607]

Kristi, this is what Boxer was referring to:


I think they're called Run-n-Lights. They are indeed part of a new license plate frame/bracket thing. Notice I also have the Kisan Signal Minder instaled as well. Permanent running light mode. The Run-n-light thing isabout $75 if I recall. The Kisan is about $90. You can install the Kisan yourself in about 5 minutes.

[Doug]

Hyperlights. Its a good idea to add a fuse inline when you install them.

With the rest of the money... hold on to it until there is something you'll need. Guaranteed there will be something! Oh, what about cylinder head protectors?

[vinman]

I believe its illegal to use your rear turn signals as running lights in some states. Can anyone confirm this?

I agree with the idea of using the money for a track day. There's no better upgrade than improving the skills of the rider.

[Doug]

Ya, I also think the flashing rear lights are illegal in some states, but whether you actually get pulled over for it... unlikely. I think some of the flashing systems have a "steady on" ability.

[TonyT607]

Kristi - what about camping gear for the MOA in July ?
Easy ride from TX !

[machew01]

The front and rear running lights provided by the SignalMinder are a must-have modification. They greatly add to visibility and identification, especially in low light environments like dappled shade or fog. After several days of following a friend of mine who had them on his Roadster, I consider them a necessity. They are also an incredibly quick and easy install.

mac

[MikeCam]

1. Signal Minder (set for running lights) Model # SM5 $99.95
2. Hyperlights (set for flash and hold) Model # ??? 49.95
3. Scotchlite Reflective Black Tape Roll (white under light) placed on certain side and rear surfaces and front handguards. Price negligible.
4. Hand Guards (Roadster) 59.95
5. Smaller windscreen - smaller is better IMO - Fly, Speedster, AM.

Comments.

Cylinder head guards are too pricey for the benefit received. Scratches are not the end-all of the bike.

First rider to get ticketed for running lights and/or brake light flashers let us know here on the board. Jurisdiction and fine amount. mark Cooperstein doesn't count.

Kristi, best of luck.

[Deano]

You might want to give these a look:

http://piratesk12site.net/LiteBuddy.htm

The show red even through the amber lens covers. It is rumored that in some states it is not permissible to show amber tail lights (I have no idea if this is true). Just ordered a set myself and plan on installing this PM.


Update:

Just installed the Lite Buddies over lunch hour, in the parking garage here at work. Although the sales literature says they are compatible with the R1150R, the installation does not go according to the instructions (you can access these on the Pirate's Lair website). The turn signal stalks on my 04 do not terminate in the tail light assembly as they must do for the K1200RS/GT. So, getting the Lite Buddy hot wires to a power source was tedious, to say the least. I am sure there are less painful ways to accomplish what I did, but I had limited time and tools at my disposal. I ended up fishing the wires through the stalks into the cavity behind the license plate light. With much swearing and fidgeting, I was able to connect the piggy-back connector to the license plate light. They appear to work well. I did, however, manage to break off the lens cover tang on my left signal. Easy to remedy, but you may wish to consider a “cooling off” period following the wire-fishing portion of the install!

[LonestaRR]

My dealer advised me against the lite buddies because they have people come back with brown signal lenses or melting because they get too hot.

I'm working 18 hour days right now, but as soon as this writing project is complete, I will probably have them order the signal minder and the additional brake light shown in Tony's picture. I know I could order direct online, but I am trying to use the gift certificate. I'm not too worried about the legality of using turn signals for running lights. The speed of this beast is going to get me in trouble before running lights do.

I am curious as to the suggestion of hand guards. I would have thought they would be more suitable on a GS.

I will attempt to install them myself. I know you say it is only a 5 minute install, but I have never attempted things like this before. Sometimes when I read the tech info on the board, I don't even know what or where some of the things are to which you refer. I hope someone will walk me through any impasse I might encounter.

Tony, if I can't do the install myself, I will consider camping gear for the MOA so someone else can install the lights for me there!

[1150bob]

Kristi, I am thinking about having the Piaa lights installed on my bike. Can you tell me how much your dealer charged for lights and installation. Bob

[LonestaRR]

The lights were $220. The bracket mount was $85. The labor was $195.00

No more trucks pulling out in front of me: priceless

Another item I'm going to buy fairly soon will be tools needed to do some of the minor maintenance and installs myself. $195.00 to install the lights!!!! They charged $32.00 just to install the engine/cylinder guards. I know I could have done that myself if I had the right tool. I know I'm ready to learn.

[Deano]

My dealer advised me against the lite buddies because they have people come back with brown signal lenses or melting because they get too hot.

FWIW, the Lite Buddies are LED units, so I expect there will not be much in the way of heat production.