Electronics » Brake/Running Light "Tap In" Location

You will need to take the power feed from the battery or remote jump start post, or maybe a piggy back fuse on one of the 2 real fuses under the rider seat. I have done the latter for a 12V socket to power my phone & Garmin Zumo. One of these fuses is always live, the other is switched with the ignition. You will need to use the latter but only if the device uses a low current. If it needs a lot of power, go direct to the battery post and use a fuse.

The switching wire will need to come from the brake light circuit so simply trace the wire from the lamp cluster and tap in at a convenient point.

The ground connection can be from the battery or any bolt into the frame.

If you do not power the unit from a non-canbus source such as the two I have suggested then the ECU will think the circuit is drawing too much current and throw up an error and switch off the circuit. The switching or control wire will not draw much current so won't upset the canbus (probably)

NOTE: If your motorcycle uses a CanBus system, (many BMW models) you will not be able to install the modular Vololights device at this time.

from https://vololights.com/pages/what-is-a-b...ation-indicator

CANBUS is an electronics technology used for sending control signals from a central controller to peripheral circuits.

Most new cars and many new bikes use CANBUS, as do washing machines, printers and all manner of devices.

BMW has used CANBUS technology on motorcycles since 2003 when the original R1200GS came out. It speeds up control signals but more importantly, saves the amount of copper wire needed in a system which saves costs. I was working on this for Xerox in the 1990s.

Almost every circuit on the R1200RS is controlled via the CANBUS.

As this module is designed to replace the number plate holder including the light unit there is a compatibility problem with the existing design. They should be able to modify the unit but need to make sure the current drawn exactly matches the original circuit. They won't be able to use the number plate light circuit to power the deceleration lights.

If you are not familiar with CANBUS technology, you should not make any electrical modifications to the R1200RS. The slightest change of load in a circuit will cause the bike's main computer to throw a hissy fit.