BMW K1300S LED Rear Light installed on K1200S

[KPower]

I've clipped pics of the K1300S LED Rear Light (European Version) installed on my 2006 K1200S.

Slimply Plug-n-Play. No CANBUS issues. No Warning Lights.

[CrackerJack]

Looks excellent!, especially with the carbon fiber . Now I have somthing else to buy without letting my wife know.

[Kanf]

wow that looks really nice....take pics of the whole bike and post it, the bike looks great

[CK1200S]

Sweet, how much was the tailight, Im interested in doing it???

[trond]

Looks neat!
Also curious on the hugger. Where and how much?

[etc]

Looks great! That carbon fiber is sweet, especially with the new light.

[biff]

Nice turn signals. What kind are they?

[chuckheinch]

looks good. those are interesting turn signals. i believe they would actually be legal here unlike my current lights.

[Pirate]

Got 2 questions for you..we were told by 2 dealers that this is not possible..

We were told by BOTH sources that the connections are different. The K1200S has three connectors going into the tail section. The K1300S tail has a one-piece snap-in connector...??

1. Was yours different than we were told?? You say plug-n-play.. Is it really?? The connections are the same?

2. and how much does the K1300S Tail light cost?

Looks good, BTW..

[stxman4]

Originally Posted by biff

Nice turn signals. What kind are they?

Aren't those the factory BMW HP LED turn signals? I've heard they also plug and play without any CANBUS issues. Hmm...LED rear indicators with LED "no baboon's ass" Rear taillight, next mod maybe? PN# on the turn signals anyone?

[bauer]

Nice!

[Sopurty]

The whole set up looks great.
I look for your reply to the questions raised by the Pirate.
Sopurty

[Sopurty]

As a follow up to my earlier response can you share the part sku number with us?
Thanks - Sopurty

[Cambridge K]

[RFW]

Vancouver guy, huh? Same here.

Adding LED lights generally is not a problem as long as the stock lamps are retained. The ZFE (this has nothing to do with CANBUS) looks to see if there is either too little or too much current being used by the tail/brake lamps. If you retain the original lamps, then there is no problem with too little current.

LED lamps consume so little extra power, that the ZFE doesn't interpret this small amount of extra current as a short circuit, so the system usually works just fine.

The main source of problems is when people try to remove the original filament lamp and replace it with LEDs. In tis case, the low current taken by the LEDs is interpreted by the ZFE as a burned out lamp.

[Pirate]

My concern wasn't so much as the current draw.. but the physical connections.. As I said.. I was told the connections are totaly different.. NOT plug-n-play like this Canuck claims.. ??

FYI.. I have a guy locally checking...

Originally Posted by RFW

Vancouver guy, huh? Same here.

Adding LED lights generally is not a problem as long as the stock lamps are retained. The ZFE (this has nothing to do with CANBUS) looks to see if there is either too little or too much current being used by the tail/brake lamps. If you retain the original lamps, then there is no problem with too little current.

LED lamps consume so little extra power, that the ZFE doesn't interpret this small amount of extra current as a short circuit, so the system usually works just fine.

The main source of problems is when people try to remove the original filament lamp and replace it with LEDs. In tis case, the low current taken by the LEDs is interpreted by the ZFE as a burned out lamp.

[stxman4]

Where is this Canuck at with answers!?! Pirate, did your local guy figure it out?

[Pirate]

Your guess is as good as mine..

I'll post whatever my buddy finds out.. could be a week or more...or less..

Originally Posted by stxman4

Where is this Canuck at with answers!?! Pirate, did your local guy figure it out?

[McFly]

Originally Posted by Sopurty

As a follow up to my earlier response can you share the part sku number with us?
Thanks - Sopurty

63217713302 (K40 K1300S LED Tail Light)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0509&mospid=51344&btnr=63_1139&hg=63&fg=1 5

[KPower]

Sorry for not responding sooner.

LED indicators:

The LED indicators are BMW Original Accessories.


3-Pin Connector Req'd:

Yes, the LED Rear Light requires the Rear Tail wiring harness. The light requires the 3-Pin connector that comes with the harness. The wires match the color codes of the existing harness. I modified the new harness to include bayonet type connectors to match the existing connectors. Took 20 minutes, tops.


EU Version:

I installed the EU version (with integrated LED white Number Plate light.


Cost $340:

Cost - approx CDN $270 for the LED Rear Light and CDN $70 for the harness.


Regards,

Bruce

[KPower]

No Fault Messages:

I was prepared to add a resister or two, but it was not necessary. I plugged the Rear Light in, and it worked first time.

I clipped a pic of my instrument cluster in my original posting to show there are no fault messages.

Not sure why, but if it works, why fix it.

The BMW LED indicator Lights also gave no fault messages.

Regards,

Bruce

[Cambridge K]

So I found 2 #'s for the tail light for a K13 - 63217713301 & 63217713302.
Adaptor is 71607712418 - it is off a GS
More info is at www.2wheels4u.de - goto K12/K13 electrical see the part 141.37 Euro for the tail light, 45 euro for the adaptor cable.
Even more info - at www.K1200.de - like 25 pages !!! on this topic.

I hope this helps out people.

[Pirate]

Can someone furnish pics of the adapter cable?

So if I understand this correctly... you plug the adapter into the factory K1200 harness and the other end goes into the new K1300 LED tail light.. Is this correct?

[Htheater]

Jerry,

It sounds like you have to crimp on some bayonet style plugs to fit into the existing K1200S socket.....not a big deal, but it isn't "Plug and Play".

[adg44]

Just got off the phone with my dealer: $164.49 (63217713302)

That adapter cable listed below can't be ordered through US dealers, so we'd have to find someone that can import those cables.

As for the tail lights, there are only 7 in the world right now, and none in the US at the moment.

- Anthony

[KPower]

There may be only seven LED Rear Lights in the World, and none in the US. But there IS a rear light in Canada. And it is a beautiful thing.

I can't believe no one in The World has not installed this on a K1200S before. How crazy is that?

Keep the rubber side down,

Bruce
KPower

[Htheater]

FYI, while at the THCR, several of us did an unofficial comparison of the K1200S vs. the K1300S tail lights as far as visibility. The nod was giving to the LED on the K1300S for the tail light and the K1200S for the brake light. Straight on, the LED version was slightly brighter, but the regular old bulb won out off axis (up/down AND left/right) for both tail and brake functions.

So, the bottom line is that if you want the LED for looks and/or reliability, then go for it, however, if you desire more visibility, there isn't enough of a difference to change....I would spend my money on Kisan or the likes.

[Loggiebone]

Originally Posted by Htheater

So, the bottom line is that if you want the LED for looks and/or reliability, then go for it, however, if you desire more visibility, there isn't enough of a difference to change....I would spend my money on Kisan or the likes.

That light that Pirate has on his bike looks real nice. As I recall it was a bit pricey but doubt if it's much different than the K13 switch. We were in the bright sunlight so didn't pay attention to how it worked...just nicer than as Jerry would say...the baboons ass!

[RFW]

Originally Posted by Htheater

FYI, while at the THCR, several of us did an unofficial comparison of the K1200S vs. the K1300S tail lights as far as visibility. The nod was giving to the LED on the K1300S for the tail light and the K1200S for the brake light. Straight on, the LED version was slightly brighter, but the regular old bulb won out off axis (up/down AND left/right) for both tail and brake functions.

So, the bottom line is that if you want the LED for looks and/or reliability, then go for it, however, if you desire more visibility, there isn't enough of a difference to change.

Not surprising. The big advantage of LEDs is that they are very directional. The big disadvantage of LEDs is that they are very directional!

More seriously, the main reason for the apparent brightness of LEDs is not because they are more efficient (they are, but nowhere near as efficient as people think). The main reason for their apparent brightness is that they are very directional and concentrate most of their light on-axis, at the expense of light output off-axis. As a brake or tail light that you want to be seen over a wide angle, LEDs are a poor choice unless there is an added lens that directs their light over a wider angle. The problem with that, of course, is that this will reduce their on-axis brightness. There ain't no free lunch.

[KPower]

Hey Bob,

I remember when you and I tried to help Kevin at BRAKE! with his LED tail light.

Kevin replaced my initial version with the "final" version of the Brake! LED. I had a problem with the resister vibrating loose, but a quick solder fixed that.

I reverted to the OEM bulb when I installed the EU Version of the Rear Tail Light. The EU version has a clear lens on the bottom for the number plate. And requires a white light. Unfortunately, the Brake! LED is a red light, and would not do.

I have been hunting for a LED replacement, but nothing seemed suitable. That was until I saw the inital pics of the K1300S.

We should get together so I can show you my handy work.

Regards,

Bruce
kpower

[Sopurty]

In trying to follow this conversational trail am I correct in that we now have the sku number (63217713302) for the tail light at a report cost of $164.49 and following that we have the plug adapter number (71607712418), which is a GS part?
I would appreciate if someone involved in this conversion would affirm or correct the above.
Thanks - Sopurty/Houston

[RFW]

Originally Posted by KPower

Hey Bob,

I remember when you and I tried to help Kevin at BRAKE! with his LED tail light.

Hey Bruce! Long time no see! I didn't make the connection earlier! I'm retired now so there more time for the good things in life.... like riding. So let's have a look at your handiwork!

[biff]

Frankly I don't see what the fuss is all about. The new k13s tail light, looks like some Chinese after market tail light. Their predominant in Vancouver with our high Chinese population.Not a big deal to me but not the best I have seen.

[Pirate]

Here's a clue Biff...

One is beautiful.. one looks like a baboon-ass...

Originally Posted by biff

Frankly I don't see what the fuss is all about. The new k13s tail light, looks like some Chinese after market tail light. Their predominant in Vancouver with our high Chinese population.Not a big deal to me but not the best I have seen.

[biff]

Originally Posted by Pirate

Here's a clue Biff...

One is beautiful.. one looks like a baboon-ass...

A mater of tast Jerry. I like the clear aftermarket one the best!

[anrman]

Can I assume that if we go to an LED like this, then we loose a pulsing light if we want or already have one?

[Beech]

It's a good thing that the new LED tail light is so bright and a good safety thing or I would be going the other way and installing the camel toe unit in my new K1300S. I loved the old light. beech

[KPower]

Here are a more photos of the DIY Install of the BMW K1300S LED Rear Light on my 2006 K1200S.

[jlally]

Where did you get the plug? Part number? Which wires did you connect from the plug to the existing wires on the motorcycle?

Thanks.

John

[KPower]

Hi John,

The plug is part of BMW's K1300S Rear-Light wiring harness (cost CDN $60).

The wire codes (colors) are identical to the K1200S wiring harness.

The only modification is to solder 'bayonet' type connectors to match the existing K1200S wire connectors - the connectors that attach to the existing bulb.

The existing K1200S wiring harness connects to the tail of the new K1300S wiring harness (instead of connecting directly on the bulb).

And the new K1300S wiring harness plugs into the LED Rear-Light.

Hope that helps clear up any confusion.

Ride every day!

Bruce
KPower

[Cambridge K]

So if ya have a Clear Alt. LED tail light (white baboon ass) already - you have to switch over already to the female ends. Just match up brown to brown, black/gray to black/ yellow, and red/gray to black/white to the new adapter cable with male ends (bayonet ends) to stock wiring. As I see it - KPower

[DR1300R]

I think it looks sweet.. Nice clean install.

[Darrellh]

Originally Posted by KPower

The plug is part of BMW's K1300S Rear-Light wiring harness (cost CDN $60).

Bruce what dealer did you order the harness from? I have tried several dealers using the part number (71607712418) that is listed in this thread and none of them so far are able to order it.

[KPower]

Yes, simply plug the brown (ground) wire into the brown wire, and the same match-up for the white/red, and white/black wires.

I ordered the parts from Gahlen at John Valk BMW (604) 731-5505.

Caution US DIYers: The US version of the K1300S rear light and tail wiring harness are different from the European version I installed. The European version has the number plate light integrated in the bottom of the rear light. The US version does not; rather, it has a separate number plate light. So if you are installing the US version, you will need a different rear light and wiring harness than the parts I installed.

The European version part numbers and prices are:

One K1300S Tail part (Kabelbaum) wiring harness ECE, Part No. 61-11-7-712-920, CDN $60.00 plus 12% PST/GST sales taxes, total CDN $67.20; and

One K1300S (Heckleuchte) Rear light LED ECE, Part No. 63-21-7-713-301, CDN $247.00 plus tax, total CDN $276.64.

Riding in Vancouver liquid sunshine.

Bruce
KPower

[Pirate]

Excellent write up and pics, KPower!!

[ratchet206]

This won't work (sorta) with the US-spec K1300S LED light.

The US-spec light has the same connector but is missing 1 of the pins (the positive for the LED registration plate light).

You can connect your ground wire and the brake light wire and it'll work just fine; which is odd because the brake light bulb's filament does not light up at all unless you use the brakes in the stock taillight. There must be enough current running through the brake line to run the LEDs at low power when the brake is not applied or maybe the computer is detecting them somehow.

The bike will generate a lamp fault because the 3rd wire (running light) is not connected to anything.

This is on a 2007 US-spec K1200S. I've ordered the same parts mentioned above (K1300S Tail part wiring harness, K1300S ECE LED Taillight) from John Valk BMW in Vancouver, BC and will report back once I have them. (Also picking up a tinted visor for my illegal-to-use-in-the-US BMW helmet while I'm at it.) The US dealerships can't order the Euro-spec taillight and presumably the US-spec tail part wiring harness only has 2 wires going in to that connector.

Incidentally when I first bought my bike I removed the US-spec registration plate bracket and lamp (no fault codes oddly enough!) so I've been running without a registration light for almost 2 years. I'll finally be able to fix that with the ECE K1300S taillight.

[ratchet206]

Here's a wiring diagram and pinouts for the K1200S Tail Part wiring harness and K1300S LED tail light, and retrofit wiring diagrams: Click Here

This works with no lamp failure warnings on a DOT-spec 2007 K1200S and probably other bikes as well.

The female connector needed for the K1300S taillight can be had by ordering either:

611 277 020 78 (R1200GS/R1200GSA/F800S/F800ST, DOT) - This probably only has 2 pins wired and as such is only suitable for the DOT version of the K1300S LED tail light. (DOT w DOT)

or

716 077 124 18 (R1200GS/R1200GSA, ECE) - This will have all 3 pins wired and is suitable for all configurations listed in the diagram. (DOT w DOT, DOT w ECE, ECE w ECE)

-

You can also purchase the K1300S/R tail part wiring harness to get the connector, but it will be more expensive. The US/DOT version of this harness only has 2 pins wired and as such is only suitable for the DOT version of the K1300S LED tail light. (DOT w DOT)

Since pin 6 is not monitored by CAN-BUS, it can be disconnected with no lamp fail warnings. You can test this on your DOT-spec bike by unplugging the registration lamp and turning on the bike. For DOT w DOT conversions, you can optionally connect Pin 6 to Pin 3 to avoid loose wires/unused connections. This configuration will not fry an ECE tail light should one ever be connected later. (DOT w DOT)

As for why the bike suddenly can control the tail light using a single wire (instead of the two it was using with the dual filament bulb before) it appears there some logic going on and the bike's light module is aware that it's a dual-stage LED and not a standard bulb connected. This might mean that older bikes or bikes with older firmware may not be able to control the K1300S tail light without some fun with pins 1 and 3 and some resisters and diodes.

Note that US dealerships usually can not order ECE-spec parts. (Canada dealerships can apparently.)

Any questions? Please let me know if this works with your bike.

[KPower]

There is really no difference between the original electrical schematics and the LED schematics. The only difference is whether there is a bulb or diode at the end of the wire!

The original wiring harness is identical to the diagram titled "K1200S/R Factory Harness (DOT) posted above at http://www.uberblau.de/uploads/k12k13led.gif and is as follows:

Number Plate Light:There is a rubber bulb holder with the number plate light. And per the diagram:
- The blue/ grey striped wire with yellow dots is the power wire to the number plate light and connected to Pin #6;
- The brown wire is the ground for the number plate light and connects to Pin #4.

Rear Light: The three wires that connect to the rear light bulb holder have connectors similar to those depicted in the electrical diagram. As per the diagram:
- The brown wire is the ground and connects to Pin #4;
- The grey/ red striped wire with yellow dots is the power wire for the running light and connects to Pin #3; and
- The grey/ black striped wire with yellow dots is the power wire for the brake light and connects to Pin #1.

Modification I made:

I removed the Number Plate light bulb and I do not use the blue/ grey striped wire with yellow dots. The wire is taped and tucked-up in the bike's tail.

And I connected the wires out of the K1300S LED Rear Light's 3-Pin Plug (the "LED Plug") to the original harness's wires with the same color codes as follows:

Grounding: Pin #1 of the LED Plug with a Brown wire connects to the Brown wire of the original harness that connects to Pin #4 of the 6-Pin Plug;

Brake Light Function: Pin #2 of the LED Plug with a Grey/ Black Striped wire connects to Grey/ Black Striped wire of the original harness that connects to Pin #1 of the 6-Pin Plug;

Running Light/ Number Plate Light Functions: Pin #3 with a Grey/ Red Striped wire connects to Grey/ Red Striped wire of the original harness that connects to Pin #3 of the 6-Pin Plug.

As before, when my lights go on, the LED Running Light is on. And so too is the white LED Number Plate Light integrated in the bottom of the Rear Light. And when I apply the brakes, the LED Brake Light comes on.

So, there ARE separate power wires for the Running and Brake Light. And the electrical schematics are almost identical between the old bulbs and the new LED lights.

Needing to spend more time riding,

Bruce
KPower

[krider12s]

Tailight harness #61127702078 has 3 wires
With wire conectors and swink tube.
Sells for $19.50 70 in the US.

[ratchet206]

Just wanted to add a quick note that after testing this mod on a few different K-bikes, some will need ~4W of load (2x 100 ohm, 2W resistors work) wired in parallel with the brake LED lights to avoid LAMPR! errors.

It's likely a US firmware vs a ECE firmware issue since it didn't happen with KPower's bike & this only seems to happen when using the ECE taillight. The US taillight uses all 18 LEDs for brake, the Euro only uses 9 (top two rows).

It also appears that when using the US-spec LED light (with only 2 pins) that some bikes will not give you any running lights, just a functioning brake light. Some creative wiring with a diode and resistor should correct this.


I can provide updated schematics if people would find that useful.