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K9dvm

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
New guy here with a question regarding tail light modulators/flashers. I did a search and didn't find any recent posts. I am considering adding this to my 2016 r1200GS. I would like advice on this subject. Thank you in advance.
 
New guy here with a question regarding tail light modulators/flashers. I did a search and didn't find any recent posts. I am considering adding this to my 2016 r1200GS. I would like advice on this subject. Thank you in advance.
It's called "Dynamic Brake Taillight", and as far as I know it's just a software upgrade. I am not certain if it's available in the USA.

See it here.

BMW Motorrad International

- John
 
So far NOT ava in the US. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Internet word is our Dept of Transportation is holding it up. Causes for the hold up vary, but include the freq of the flash. I've written to NHSTA- or whatever the acronym is, and to the DOT, explaining it's a safety issue, ava in Europe, etc. Got nowhere.

I've tried to find out if it is just a switch in existing software, new software or firmware, or hardware. Got nowhere.

I have been reluctant to pay for some third party solution to a regulatory govt issue that makes no apparent sense.

It's there, on your bike already, or could be.

I've even tried asking if it could be hacked, again nothing.
 
When I was a kid I designed the electronic part of a gizmo called a Q-Stop Light. It was a bar with 4 1157 lamps, I used 5 mercury switch capsules each one bent at a slightly deeper angle to act as a "decelerometer" The faster you were slowing the faster the Q-Brake Light would flash. Otherwise it was just a accessory tail light/brake light combo. It got placed in production, I understand that someone took credit for the design, eager to see how it had been improved I bought one. The impressive paperwork that came with it told all bout how some MIT professor had "invented" this revolutionary important answer to safety...bla, bla, bla. Then, just tell me, why were my initials still on the artwork that made the PCB?

Was it legal then maybe? Now, most likely not. They are worried about epileptic people having seizures behind the wheel. Really? At least that's what I was told.

Here:

https://rideapart.com/articles/gear-brake-practical-use

- John.
 
I was going to just "like" the above, but it deserves a big fat "GEEZ" - our government at work! Maybe that's just urban legend, I hope.

yes, flashing lights can trigger a seizure in some epileptics (3%?), but to use that as an excuse for this significant safety asset is quite a stretch considering all the specifics that would need to come together for that scenario to happen. What about Christmas lights, or strobes in clubs, or those flashing "safety" bike lights or the third party strobes for our bikes that have been on the market for YEARS. I had a similar device called the BRAKE! on my r1150r in 2004

... and there are epileptics in Europe too. It appears that

https://www.google.com/search?q=fla...ights+triggering+epileptic&aqs=chrome..69i57.18083j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

certain frequencies can be the culprit, but I would think the BMW engineers and regulators in Germany would have worked that out? Drives home the point that politicians made in our recent elections that some government regulations are a real PITA with little discernible benefit and often making a situation worse in unintended ways.

sort of OT...IN Charity Hospital here in NOLa (very famous in Katrina stories), in the basement, along a hallway, there is a long stripe about 30 feet long, guessing-maybe longer, and about 3 inches tall with alternating black and then white rectangles, each about 3"tall x 6"ish long. It had been there in the early 70s (when I was in training and asked wtf is this?) long enough that it was just a curiosity, begging the question: Why did they paint this? The answer was that in far former days-the building was a "modern marvel" when it was built in the mid 30s, epileptic patients were put on a stretcher and rolled along that stripe, creating visual input of alternating black and white "lights" to elicit a seizure for study.
It was no longer used for that purpose by the time I asked and most people didn't have any idea what it was for, and it probably didn't work so well.

John
 
I heard rumor that the 2017 models will have the Dynamic Brake Lighting mode available for the US market...
It's on the 2016 as well. That was a change between the 2015 and the 2016.
Yes my '16 GSA can be programmed but currently one has to find the European program version and if one takes his or her bike back to a US dealer it will be overwritten...
 
Yes my '16 GSA can be programmed but currently one has to find the European program version and if one takes his or her bike back to a US dealer it will be overwritten...
This is correct, like the BMW LED turn signals that came out it took a couple of years before BMW allowed U.S dealers to to program the BMS-X for them, I imagine the same is going to be the case with the dynamic brake light if we're lucky. But I look for it to come in a dealer installed retrofit package with VIN enabled coding for $$$.
 
BackOff! Brake light modulator

I've not messed with the electronics on this new bike - but would something like this work? I had it on my Hayabusa and I like it.

I find I use a lot of engine braking on a motorcycle, I would prefer something that would activate the brake light based on inertial changes - so the cars behind me noticed I was slowing even if I wasn't braking. Is there anything out there like that? I've seen the Vololight - but that's just a license plate frame - not sure how good it would be, and the website says BMW's CANBUS system isn't compatible with the modular system - maybe it still is with the license plate frame version?
 

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Discussion starter · #15 ·
Thanks again for the replies. I just took my bike in for the 600mile inspection. They told me they have seen a lot of problems with DIY light flashing options and the electrical system. The problems seem to arise from improper installation. They didn't elaborate on "problems" but they said there were several different ways they could be hooked up and some interfere with the bike's electrical system. Sorry I can't be more specific but my lack of knowledge about these products and the electrical system of my bike doesn't allow for a very good explanation.
 
I recently installed the Clearwater Billy junior break light and I love it. It is very easy to install and you you can't customize it using the wiz wheel. I like that it has an inertial breaking mode that activates when you downshift.
 
I had planned on having my tail light reprogrammed when I ship my bike to Germany this summer but if it will be over written when I get back, there goes that plan. Guess I'll grab another Hyperlites 'cuz I'm a cheap old geezer.
 
I had planned on having my tail light reprogrammed when I ship my bike to Germany this summer but if it will be over written when I get back, there goes that plan. Guess I'll grab another Hyperlites 'cuz I'm a cheap old geezer.
Is this another reason to do your own service, as much as possible?

(not toward you, Slowriding, but in general, and for information...)

Just curious, why would what be "overwritten?" Does simply looking for fault codes do that, or? Would simply connnecting to a GS911 in the USA "overwrite?" That's all that's done on any service-looking for fault codes, unless I'm wrong? I suppose there could be firmware upgrades--but that would be a recall and specified and reason for, I'd think.

Maybe the service people in Germany can tell you what is "overwritten" to produce the Dynamic Brake Light? or the hazard of the US dealer deleting the overwrite? or is this reason all BS?

You see this argument a lot, ie that the US will overwrite, but if you trace it back, it lands on a post where a rider was told that by a "dealer." And then it gets repeated over and over, but is it actually true and has there actually been anyone who can personally attest that they had the DBL, but now they don't after a service in the US?

US riders who have paid for a 2016 or 2017 should not have to pay again for an after market device that essentially does the same thing. Right?

So, Slowriding, I am an even CHEAPER old geezer than you! And likely older, too.:D
 
If I can get it turned on while in Europe, perhaps just telling my dealer that I have had that done and don't change it will be enough. I assume the worst might be a fix it ticket when I return to the USA and I'm good with that.
 
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