"lamp" warning

[slow]

Hi,

was coming in to work this morn. saw the lamp warning on the inst panel. i checked all the lights after getting in to the work parking lot and found that all is working except brake light. the rear light is on as it should when bike is on. but when braking, it does not get brighter.

I assume this is what caused the lamp warning. I did a search before this post and it seems that the rear bulb type is 1157? Is this easy to find at the local auto parts store (BMW dealer is far for me)? if so, i can hitch a ride to the local parts store to get one.

how hard is it to replace? should I do it at the parking lot or risk riding home where my tools are more complete?

thanks for the info

[deilenberger]

You have the needed tool on the bike - the Torx driver with the gray handle. It's not a hard job. While the bulb appears to be an 1157 - it's likely the euro version with a nickel plated base (shiny chrome looking..) I'd suggest using the same identical bulb. Most auto parts stores carry them now from Sylvania (who gets them from their parent company Osram in Urop..)

On a scale of 1-10 (1 being dumb as a stump work - are you breathing?, to 10 - heart surgery sort of work), it's a 1.5..

[NeilS]

Sort of on topic: Has anyone tried replacing the taillight bulb with one of those LED 1157 replacements? I'm guessing it won't work very well due to the burned-out bulb detector, but I'd like to do it.

[mogu83]

IMHO I don't think the LED replacement bulbs put out enough light. My Guzzi had two 1157 bulbs and I replaced them with LED bulbs with the extra radial LEDs that threw light to the side. I never saw a great improvement in the light going to the rear.
I wonder how a Halogen 1157 would work? I know their is a heat issue, but the R1200R lens seems big enough to handle the extra heat.