Kisan Tailblazer lamp error code

[amr122]

I just installed a Kisan Tailblazer 20W-D on my R1200R -- this is the replacement rear lamp bulb that blinks rapidly then slows down over about 5 seconds until it gives a solid light when you brake.

Despite what ka5ysy mentioned on another thread about the Kisan headlight modulator, I've noticed that if I keep the brakes activated long enough for blinking to change to solid, the lamp error code and warning light are activated. If I only brake for a second or two but stop braking before the cycle is complete, the taillight blinks like it's supposed to but I don't get the error code.

Once the error code is displayed, it remains once I let off the brakes, but if I brake shortly then release, the error code goes away. It will then return if I brake long enough (as above) but not if I just brake shortly.

Has anyone else had any experience with the Tailblazer 20W-D and not gotten the error code, or know of another similar product that doesn't cause the error code?

[deilenberger]

Adam,

Have you contacted Kisan about the problem. Call and ask for Andy - he is quite helpful, and AFAIK - the current product is CANBUS compatible.

[ShinySideUp]

Adam - I had the same issue and have called Kisan several times. They are in the process of testing a replacement unit, called 20W-DZ, which will not cause the fault reading.

Call 1: Should be ready at end of this week.
Call 2: Could you call again in 1 week?
Call 3: Still testing. Please call us back in 2 weeks.

Very nice folks on the other end, but the lamp isn't quite ready for prime time.

Ignoring the fault notice is worth it to me for the flashing rear light in the heavy traffic I drive in daily. And I have no doubt they will replace the unit RSN (Real Soon Now). Ah, life at the bleeding edge of technology...

[AllanCook]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, Adam. I just checked the Kisan site and they are advertising a "new" version of the 20W-D with a"new circuit with 'pulse-blanking' [that] accommodates [the] bulb monitoring systems of newer bikes."

[ka5ysy]

Hi All:

Interesting thing about this post is that I have been chasing a Canbus error from the rear lamp too. I think that I have the new version of the lamp, so this is a puzzle also.

Mine is an intermittent error, so I have been looking for loose wires or something. My error causes the computer to shut down the whole circuit as if there were a short circuit. I have noticed that the fault occurs on start most of the time, but not always.

Looks like a call to Kisan is in order.


Doug

[amr122]

I just spoke with Kisan this afternoon and learned that, as ShinySideUp mentioned, the new 20W-DZ (specifically designed for the BMW CANBUS system) should solve my problems. Unfortunately, it still won't be available for several weeks, but they will ship it to me once it is available. One note, Kisan is having problems with their toll-free number not being properly directed by the phone company. If you call them and can't get through, their local number is 719.226.0300.

I ordered the bulb from Custom Dynamics online, and both they can Kisan were very friendly to work with and very supportive. Just mentioning that so that their efforts are rewarded with good PR.

ka5ysy -- you must still have the original 20W-D, so it might just be the bulb causing the fault. Although with an intermittent problem like the one you describe, I'd go looking for a loose wire too.

Thanks everyone for your quick feedback and help. My new R1200R is my first experience with BMW's (a wonderful upgrade from my old 1991 Honda Nighthawk 750) and I must say the BMW community is just as deserving of the quality and professional reputation that their bikes have.

[AllanCook]

Has anyone tried yet? Supposed to be for the R1200R.

http://www.kisantech.com/view_product.p ... uct=20W-DZ

[deilenberger]

Has anyone tried yet? Supposed to be for the R1200R.

http://www.kisantech.com/view_product.p ... uct=20W-DZ

Funny you should ask.. I installed it Friday night. Works great... a bit brighter than the normal brake bulb, and the decaying flash works just fine. NO CANBUS error messages at all.. and it comes with a pair of spare bulbs.

Nice device for a stealth upgrade of your rear brake light (this is now combined with brake lights in the turn-signals and a LiteBlazer from Run-N-Lites.. http://www.run-n-lites.com/prod-LiteBlazer.asp - which also has a decaying-flash.

Recommended..

[lowflying]

Yesterday I received my Tailblazer here in Sydney, Australia 10 days after ordering it. The 20W-DZ unit which is specifically for the Canbus installation. Bottom line - it seems to be all good.

Installed quickly and easily - simple replacement of original tail lamp/brake light bulb with the Kisan unit, which has two separate filaments not surrounded by glass, unlike the original unit which looks like any old standard tail lamp to me. I was concerned about the BMW light bulb monitoring system going all weird on me but so far so good. I am assuming that I will get an indication on the screen in front of me if the new bulb fails in any way. It comes with a replacement for each of the two separate filaments - which helps to make me feel better about spending the 70 bucks US plus postage.

When I gave it a test, I called my 16 year old son down to the garage to have a look. When I activated it he made a face and said, "But won't that annoy and distract other drivers?" I told him that I hope it does!!His observation alone was worth the 70 bucks...

Question: Does anybody out there yet have experience of the Kisan bulb failing and the on-board monitoring systems reaction?

As an aside, I've had this bike since October last year. I love it more and more everyday. I occasionally get to ride other bikes, which I always enjoy in different ways (I particularly enjoyed borrowing a Triumph Speedmaster for a day from my dealer while the EWS was getting fixed), but I am always impressed with my R12R when I get back in the saddle. It does so much right and I always smile before, during and after my rides!

[NoRRmad]

...Seems to me that you could simulate a failure by just taking the bulb out.

[lowflying]

Hmm. That seems so simple. In other words, a bulb is a bulb, I guess.

[OlyVR]

It's funny that you guys are so happy with this and notice a considerable difference.
For me it was a giant waste of money.

First I got the old version (despite ordering what was stated as the correct one for my bike), and the error code mentioned above, Then after exchanging it with Kisan for the correct one I no longer had the error, but did not notice a significant difference. Yes, I do see it flashing, but the difference is so minor that it really doesn't show up in real life conditions - especially during daylight. My wife said that she couldn't see whether I was braking or not - so I ordered a set of Hyperlights. I'm very happy with those but would and cannot recommend the Tailblazer.

[deilenberger]

Oliver..

Odd.. since the flashing is very noticeable on mine. Can't imagine why it wouldn't be on yours.. if they could see the brake light, they should be able to see the flashing. One thought - is it possible you had the bulbs reversed somehow? One is a 20W (the brake bulb) the other is a 5W (the running light). If the bulb was put in wrong, or the bulbs reversed - you'd have a 5W brake bulb flashing against a 20W background instead of a 20W flashing brake bulb against a 5W background.

That's the only thing I can think of to account for it not being very visible..

[OlyVR]

Don,

I hear what your're saying and it makes sense but the whole contraption only really goes in one way (I think) - so it should be correctly aligned. However, I'll take a look next time I'm messing with the bike. I hope that's it because right now I paid $70 for what seems like a light out of an old Bug (6V) with a broken generator.

Thanks for the tip.

[deilenberger]

Oliver - check it with the socket out of the light housing, and make sure the 20W one is doing the brake. If not - it's entirely possible they put the bulbs in it wrong (same base dimensions..)

[mtl-R12R]

Has anyone tried yet? Supposed to be for the R1200R.

http://www.kisantech.com/view_product.p ... uct=20W-DZ

Yup, that is the one that I'm using, very happy with it and no CANBUS problems either.

Howard

[dbrick]

If the bulb was put in wrong, or the bulbs reversed - you'd have a 5W brake bulb flashing against a 20W background instead of a 20W flashing brake bulb against a 5W background.

Don,

The Tailblazer on my bike is hard to see, too, much less visible than the one on the RS. The two-pin sockets for the individual bulbs are similar, so your wrong-socket theory makes sense. I'll check it tonight.

Has anyone actually reported reversed blubs? The original poster didn't post again about it.