BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

i ride about 15k miles a year, and I'm getting really frustrated with the low beam bulb only lasting about 2-4K miles here on the relatively smooth Washington DC roads.  I've usually gone with the brightest H7 I can buy but given that the adage "what burns twice as bright lasts half as long" I opted for a basic H7 today.  Does anyone else have this problem?  I'm really thankful that I have Denali LED aux lights because quite literally I do not trust the front bulb!

I've not had a issue on my 15 with 10,000 miles
In fact my 1600 had 25000 miles when I traded it, all on original bulbs
What brand of bulbs are you using?
Pretty sure some inmates here can recommend long life bulbs

My K1200S bulbs lasted 25k too.  I'm using Sylvania bulbs from the auto shop, I had been using the super high output ones. I'm hoping to get longer life out of this standard bulb.  The main problem I have with replacing them is my 2XL glove hand size, I even use a rifle cleaning rod with patch attachment cut off at the end to form a 'Y' shape and it's still a bear for me.  It just took an hour to switch it because of my hand size- ridiculous.  The good news is it's my biggest gripe about the bike so overall we're doing pretty damn good. 

PatriotBMW wrote: Sylvania bulbs from the auto shop, I had been using the super high output ones. I'm hoping to get longer life out of this standard bulb.  The main problem I have with replacing them is my 2XL glove hand size, I even use a rifle cleaning rod with patch attachment cut off at the end to form a 'Y' shape and it's still a bear for me.  It just took an hour to switch it because of my hand size- ridiculous.  The good news is it's my biggest gripe about the bike so overall we're doing pretty damn good.

And you know the rule about not touching the bulb with your bare hands, right?  The oil from your hands will drastically shorten the life of the bulb.  Should wipe the bulb carefully with alcohol if you have touched it.

Still on original bulbs on my 2014 rt with 32,000 miles on it.


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timminator wrote: And you know the rule about not touching the bulb with your bare hands, right?  The oil from your hands will drastically shorten the life of the bulb.  Should wipe the bulb carefully with alcohol if you have touched it.

Yes, I'm extremely careful about that.

steve.sharkey wrote: Still on original bulbs on my 2014 rt with 32,000 miles on it.


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Wow!  I wonder what the difference is?

PatriotBMW wrote:
Wow!  I wonder what the difference is?

Fitted with DRL so never switches them on.

RTman10 wrote:
Fitted with DRL so never switches them on.

What's a DRL.

Daytime running lights.  Angle eyes go very bright on the LC, auto switch to  dip when it gets a bit dark.


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I'd estimate half the time the lights are on in the morning.


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steve.sharkey wrote: I'd estimate half the time the lights are on in the morning.


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You obviously go,out very early.  Here in sunny Derbyshire in May dip,is gone by 7 am unless I find a tunnel.

Our Gee wrote: What's a DRL.

For 'angle' eyes, read 'Angel' eyes (ie halo effect)!

Has anyone tried these?  https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... swod3KcKhg


Seems with a 30k hour life it would solve my problems without getting into ballasts, etc....

Had mine go out at about 14000 miles/13 months.  Replaced with BMW bulb.  For how much it costs, I'll probably have it replaced routinely during the 12000 mile services.