Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Having Problems with your BMW R1200RT/R1250RT? or have some Maintenance and Service questions?
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Douglas
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Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by Douglas »

Hi All, Got a warning light on my (2019) RT1250 dash panel yesterday, which turned out to be the front headlight bulb that had gone to heaven. Is it just me or do I have to get in touch with a midget in order to change the bulb. I have had a look at the access to the bulb cover and OMG there is no room to work.
Has anyone done the job b4 and can I have some tips ??
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Sharkfighter
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by Sharkfighter »

I’ve got a 2013 RT and I’ve had to change two bulbs. My hands aren’t small either, size 10 or extra large gloves. All I did was take the plastic off on the side affected, this gave some more room. I found it straight forward enough and didn’t take any skin off my hands either. I’ve even done it in the car park at the hotel I stayed in in Belgium last year, took around 10 minutes from start to finish.
Douglas
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by Douglas »

I think the 2013RT is different to the 2019 model. If my blown headlight bulb would have been one of the two side one's it would have been easier to change as all I need to do is remove the speaker and they are right behind it. The problem is that the blown bulb is the centre one and there is nothing, I think, I can remove to access it.
Douglas
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by Douglas »

Managed to change the bulb. It's a B***H of a job and it took 1hr 20min to complete. Lets hope the new bulb lasts a few years.
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Steve398
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by Steve398 »

Having read lots of the horror stories on changing the headlight bulbs I bit the bullet and had Cyclops LED’s installed on my 2018 RT. It just seemed easier in the long run, pricey now less pain later… literally!
Plutohora
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by Plutohora »

I need to do this on my 2013 1200. Any recommendations for decent discreet LED bulbs?
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jclaudej
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by jclaudej »

Hello,

I also have a RT 1250 from 2019 and concerning the low beam it is possible to change the bulb without dismantling the fairings.
I specify that I have big hands XL see XXL;)
To do this, position yourself in front of the motorcycle and pass your hand under the fairing.
Then unscrew the cover and the most difficult remove the clips which for me is very hard.
Then with cotton gloves (to protect the bulb) change it.
Then proceed in reverse order.
My eve would be to find an LED bulb that fits in this clutter and that would illuminate better.
Good luck
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Randyjaco
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by Randyjaco »

This is how far I got without removing Tupperware. After I got everything disassembled, it took a pair of pliers to get the left clip off. It was not a fun experience. :(

Maybe this photo will help others that are feeling around in the dark in a parking lot.
Hopefully you will have better luck :-D
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David.
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by David. »

jclaudej wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 11:42 amThen with cotton gloves (to protect the bulb) change it.
A tip from this thread is to use a short length of garden hose to hold the bulb, viewtopic.php?p=56466&hilit=garden#p56466
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jclaudej
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Re: Front Headlight Bulb Removal

Post by jclaudej »

Hello,

I just installed the H7 LED bulb below (low beam)
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/10050049 ... pt=glo2eng
If the operation was as tedious as with a standard bulb, I did not encounter any particular problem.
My first impressions are quite positive.
1 - Test over 50 meters (it is currently raining a lot at my place and the roads are slippery) but no fault on the dashboard :)
2 - The beams seem similar (shape) to that of the halogen bulb but on the other hand it is much more powerful.
3 - The size of the bulb is identical to a classic H7 lamp, the fan is in the body of the LED bulb.
4 - A small noise (fan) is slightly audible only with the engine off.

Still to try, when the weather will be kinder :)

Link to H1 => https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/10050050 ... pt=glo2fra

Always without CanBus mistake ;)

Small video of the result
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