Slotheadslim
Active member
At the beginning of January I got in contact with the lighting company Kellermann, https://www.kellermann-online.com/en . I was interested in their Bullet light options for replacing the tail lights on my US spec R18 Custom. This is an abbreviated story of what happened and the prototype I’ve been testing. I only received permission now (September) to talk about it. I’m also asking for your feedback because Kellerman is trying to gauge an interest for this product in the US market.
First, I know a number of people here wanted to install Kellermann’s Bullet series lights on their R18. I looked at posts from others outside of the US who made it work. When Kellermann contacted me back after a second inquiry about how to install them for a US spec R18, they shared 2 configurations they were considering. They asked me to try one of the two since they didn’t have a US spec R18.
The first configuration they offered was to replace the entire rear tail light wiring. It would involve cutting the rear tail light wiring and the other end of the cable would plug into the connector near our seats. I didn’t want this option for me because I wanted the change to be reversible (no cutting wires in the OEM wiring harness).
The second option, which I chose, was to use a controller that would mount in or near the tail section and wire into the existing tail light. This approach would meet my goals without cutting the wiring to the tail light and it would wire into the bullets.
Initially I was sent these Bullets:
They have a yellow center when flashing, red circle when running and they turn completely red for hazards and braking. My job was to find a suitable location for the controller, check the mounting of the bullets, see how new lighting base plates fit that were also prototypes, try the wiring and make sure everything worked correctly.
We spent many weeks seeing if there was some way to get these lights to work. The major problem was getting the lights to fire independently using the normal on and off combinations needed. BMW in their wisdom has a different tail light CANBUS configuration for European spec lights vs US lights. We were unsuccessful with these lights and any workarounds that we tried.
Plan B was a simpler configuration. The same Bullet light is offered in a combination that lights the ring red when the bike is on and the center section will glow brightly in red when hazards or brakes are on. When the bike is off the lights have no color and reflect. To have this configuration required a new controller and new lights. Had I been in Germany the process would have been much quicker. Kellermann built a new prototype and sent me a set of new Bullets that only had red. This configuration worked great! I’ve showed a few people and the response was very positive. The install was completed in June and I’ve been riding around with them ever since with no problems.
Kellermann is proceeding with the first option to offer a wiring harness from under the seat to the rear tail section. It isn’t clear to me if this option will be offered in the US.
Kellermann hasn’t decided if the second option I’m describing and tested is something they want to offer. This is a controller unit for their Bullets that would be US compatible. It may be compatible with other US BMW models if they offer it.
Please see the attached pictures and let me know if you’d like more details. I can post more about how the install went, pictures and data.
Are you interested! If you are please post it here so I can share the feedback with Kellermann.
Best,
Tom
First, I know a number of people here wanted to install Kellermann’s Bullet series lights on their R18. I looked at posts from others outside of the US who made it work. When Kellermann contacted me back after a second inquiry about how to install them for a US spec R18, they shared 2 configurations they were considering. They asked me to try one of the two since they didn’t have a US spec R18.
The first configuration they offered was to replace the entire rear tail light wiring. It would involve cutting the rear tail light wiring and the other end of the cable would plug into the connector near our seats. I didn’t want this option for me because I wanted the change to be reversible (no cutting wires in the OEM wiring harness).
The second option, which I chose, was to use a controller that would mount in or near the tail section and wire into the existing tail light. This approach would meet my goals without cutting the wiring to the tail light and it would wire into the bullets.
Initially I was sent these Bullets:
They have a yellow center when flashing, red circle when running and they turn completely red for hazards and braking. My job was to find a suitable location for the controller, check the mounting of the bullets, see how new lighting base plates fit that were also prototypes, try the wiring and make sure everything worked correctly.
We spent many weeks seeing if there was some way to get these lights to work. The major problem was getting the lights to fire independently using the normal on and off combinations needed. BMW in their wisdom has a different tail light CANBUS configuration for European spec lights vs US lights. We were unsuccessful with these lights and any workarounds that we tried.
Plan B was a simpler configuration. The same Bullet light is offered in a combination that lights the ring red when the bike is on and the center section will glow brightly in red when hazards or brakes are on. When the bike is off the lights have no color and reflect. To have this configuration required a new controller and new lights. Had I been in Germany the process would have been much quicker. Kellermann built a new prototype and sent me a set of new Bullets that only had red. This configuration worked great! I’ve showed a few people and the response was very positive. The install was completed in June and I’ve been riding around with them ever since with no problems.
Kellermann is proceeding with the first option to offer a wiring harness from under the seat to the rear tail section. It isn’t clear to me if this option will be offered in the US.
Kellermann hasn’t decided if the second option I’m describing and tested is something they want to offer. This is a controller unit for their Bullets that would be US compatible. It may be compatible with other US BMW models if they offer it.
Please see the attached pictures and let me know if you’d like more details. I can post more about how the install went, pictures and data.
Are you interested! If you are please post it here so I can share the feedback with Kellermann.
Best,
Tom