Hi,
The BMW accessory power socket is a great idea as it is a handy power take-off and a handy power in point for a float charger to keep the battery topped up. When I got my K100 I popped in to the local dealer to buy a plug. I was offered a Hella plug at about 1/2 the price of the genuine BMW one and bought both as I wanted two plugs. When I examined them closely I found the BMW plug was far superior in build quality and had a cable grip for strain relief of the wire connections which the Hella did not. I shall not buy any more Hella BMW sized power connectors the genuine article in this case is worth the premium price.
Regards,
K-BIKE

I have to admit that BMW power plugs are rugged and well designed, but they are not adopted as an industry standard. This is why I installed on my bike 2 standard cigarette lighter plugs. At least I can plug my GPS and cell phone without the need of adaptors.

Bert

As a complete newby to the K100RT, can anyone tell me how to easily wire-in an accessory socket? The wiring diagram in the Haynes manual shows an item called 'connection for special equipment' - so is there a loom connector set aside for these things, or do I wire it straight into the battery (with an inline fuse)?
Cheers

Hey Paul, I thought the RT's had a socket fitted from the factory?
Left side of bike, sitting on the black plastic cover for the coils.

Don't forget, if a plug is described as a "merit" plug, it'll fit the BMW factory socket.

If I'm not mistaken, that connector for "special equipment" is for Police to connect their lights/radio etc.

"Hey Paul, I thought the RT's had a socket fitted from the factory?
Left side of bike, sitting on the black plastic cover for the coils."

Not so, these sockets were an extra, like heated grips, hazard switch etc. My 1986 RT doesn't have any of them.

One would think that the Touring version of the K100 would have a socket rather than the Sports version.

Or was the socket introduced on different models at different years?

The previous owner fitted a female accessory socket to the side of the coil cover on my K100RS, wired directly to the battery with an inline glass fuse for safety. The aftermarket heated hand grips are wired to the accessory socket with an additional fuse too.

For an option to the price but not the quality of the original equipment BMW accessory sockets I use the Powerlet brand, from the US. They are imported into Australia as well and are of high quality with an amazing array of adaptors and lead lengths to suit various accessories. I have a hard-wired tankbag which stores and charges my iPod, mobile phone, camera batteries, & Autocom, and has an outlet for my heated jacket liner.

What does an Aussie need a heated jacket liner for, you may ask? Try riding in Tassie, Victoria or many other regions of OZ in the middle of Winter and other seasons too. I realise it's not Siberia but at least we have variety. Crowded House are credited with writing 'Four Seasons in One Day' after spending time in Melbourne. In fact, it's gunna be 3c degrees in Ballarat Victoria tonight, and Summer hasn't even faded yet! Give these links a go if you're interested:

http://www.bluerim.com.au/product-information/powerlet.html for Powerlet in OZ
www.powerlet.com in the US & Canada

I used a Powerlet lead to build an adapter for my GPS cable, and can attest to quality and price. My K75 also has an auxiliary outlet on the coils cover, perhaps installed by the previous owner.

Glad to hear some cool weather can be had during an Aussie summer, but you must suffer behind the faring when stuck at a traffic light on very hot days. My K is naked, but I hear tell that one can fry 'em as a lot of heat concentrates under the tank and associated areas.

In Central NY, where we also pride ourselves on four full seasons of weather, we have a saying that is particularly relevant during the dynamic months of spring when warm, sunny days can end in blinding snow squalls:

"Don't like the weather? Wait ten minutes."

Bob

my 91 K100RS came with what appear to be aftermarket hand grip warmers. A male accessory plug and splits off into two wire that go velcro straps. Were these a normal item or some junk? Thanks

Dunno if they're junk if they at least work, but they wouldn't be a factory item.

bobgass wrote:I used a Powerlet lead to build an adapter for my GPS cable, and can attest to quality and price. My K75 also has an auxiliary outlet on the coils cover, perhaps installed by the previous owner.

Glad to hear some cool weather can be had during an Aussie summer, but you must suffer behind the faring when stuck at a traffic light on very hot days. My K is naked, but I hear tell that one can fry 'em as a lot of heat concentrates under the tank and associated areas.

In Central NY, where we also pride ourselves on four full seasons of weather, we have a saying that is particularly relevant during the dynamic months of spring when warm, sunny days can end in blinding snow squalls:

"Don't like the weather? Wait ten minutes."

Bob

lol bob sounds like melbourne over here .......them poor southerners

outlet on the coil cover is standard me thinks .....well for k100 rt versions anyhow

K-BIKE wrote:Hi,
The BMW accessory power socket is a great idea as it is a handy power take-off and a handy power in point for a float charger to keep the battery topped up. When I got my K100 I popped in to the local dealer to buy a plug. I was offered a Hella plug at about 1/2 the price of the genuine BMW one and bought both as I wanted two plugs. When I examined them closely I found the BMW plug was far superior in build quality and had a cable grip for strain relief of the wire connections which the Hella did not. I shall not buy any more Hella BMW sized power connectors the genuine article in this case is worth the premium price.
Regards,
K-BIKE

However Hella is a good brand, perso I have bought this -->

(pierce D=18mm and the fuse on the +)

My LT [89] has two power sockets one on the ignition switch console and one on the coil cover as standard, I am in the process of fitting a secont one onto the switch console so I can plug in the gps and any other gadgetry.
I use the short hella male connector to plug into them so they do not stand too proud these I obtained from an electrical wholesaler so no adaptor needed