BMW R1200 RS replacing main beam H7 bulb

If you have a BMW R1200 RS, and your main bulb goes, then you need to replace it with a H7 55w 12v bulb.

I use the Philips X-tremeVision moto. Available from Amazon and had for around £15 - 17.

Replacing it is super easy and takes less than 10 minutes. There's not much space to play with, so take it one step at a time.

Fundamental steps to replace the R1200 RS main beam bulb

• Order a good bulb - I use Philips X-tremeVision moto
• Put the bike on the main stand, or side stand and line the wheel facing towards the side where you want to replace the bulb
• Unscrew the protector cap (circular) from behind the bulb
• Pull out the 12v plug from the bulb - the main bulb / plug is above the secondary bulb (it's much harder if you pull the secure clips before the plug!)
• With a pair of nose pliers, push the secure clip towards the bulb, then back and then out
• Repeat for each side of the bulb
• Pull the bulb out and keep it to one side
• Put the new one in, check around the front to make sure it's aligned well (compare with the other bulb on the other side)
• The stuck out bit of the bulb should face up
• With nose pliers, take one of the secure clips and push inwards and then into the bulb
• Repeat the other side
• Plug in the 12v plug
• Check the bulb looks as expected (alignment, flush etc) like the other bulb
• Turn the bike on and check whether the bulb comes on as expected - put on full beams to prove it
• If not working, turn the bike off, check all connections, take out and repeat steps above (could be the bulb is duff)
• If working, put on the secure cap (needs to twist some way)
• Dispose of the old bulb appropriately

Recommended: Replacing both bulbs at the same time

If you're replacing one bulb with a newer one, and considerably different, like the X-tremeVision moto edition, then you may wish to replace both at the same time. You'll find the colour of light will be different and could be distracting. And if you do decide to replace both, replace one, test, and then replace the other. Don't replace both before testing!

Hope this helps someone. Happy to answer questions and post photos.

Here are a few photos of the original bulb (2016 RS)