Just got a new to me 2018 RT. How have other routed the electrical connection to power your heated clothing?
Ejm4
On my 2019 R1250RT, I have two connects direct to the battery that I zip tie to the under supports during the warm months, and let them hang out a few inches when I'm getting ready to use the heated gear. I have dual remote controls for 1 heated shirt/gloves and 2 pants liner/sole inserts. Because I was always reaching to connect them, added a 12" extension to the cords coming from the jacket and pants to make it easier to connect.
The remotes are perfect-they sit on top of the tank bag. I've thought about routing them up closer to the bottom of the tank, but this seems to be working for me.
The remotes are perfect-they sit on top of the tank bag. I've thought about routing them up closer to the bottom of the tank, but this seems to be working for me.
I did this, straight to the battery and use for my battery tender as well.
www.bmwlt.com
Heated gear wiring
Will be getting a new 1250rt from a dealer 2.5hrs away soon and being it's winter I'll be using heated gear. My current harley I wired up the coax directly from the battery. Talking to the dealer he said the sae battery tender wire will work with an adapter to coax. Will this work or should...
www.bmwlt.com
My heated jacket has the wire coming out at the bottom on the left side. I also have a Battery Tender pigtail coming out on the right side (where the battery is), but it is not as convenient as if it were on the left side. As above, the Battery Tender wire is sufficient. I put a 15 amp fuse in mine.
I thought the whole point of the accessory plug on the fairing was for heated gear? Does that not supply enough power?
The OEM connections don't have enough power to supply a full set of electric gear. (They are kind of useless IMHO) Since I don't have a radio, I used the buttons location to install a connection straight from the battery .
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If anyone's interested, I'll just throw this out there ...
As I've never owned an RT (although my riding buddy has a '12 RT), I'm not all that familiar with its bodywork. Nevertheless, over the years on two Burgman 650s, a Victory Cross Country Tour, and a C 400 GT, I've drilled through the tupperware, in order to add a BMW/Hella/DIN/Powerlet outlet below the left thigh.
As already pointed out, most (all?) heated gear cords exit on the left side. In my opinion, having a cord drape over, around, and under the left thigh is the most convenient location, in terms of easy access (plugging in and removing) and in terms of least interference and distraction while riding.
And so if I owned an RT, I'm betting that I would do the same to that bike. Here's what I'm talking about:
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
I have a gallery detailing (pics, captions, and links) the Victory mod at Victory Powerlet in Side Cover (which includes my only use of mayonnaise in a bike farkle).
The details on my C 400 GT are in a series of pics and captions in that bike's gallery, starting here: 2022 BMW C 400 GT
As you may note from the pics, I also use that socket for smart-charging, having replaced the typical SAE end of a cord with a male Powerlet plug. And all of these were direct connections to the battery, with typically 14-gauge wire and the hot side fused at 15 amps (just for the heck of it -- typical draw for heated gear is in the 7 - 10 amp range).
Like the engineers at BMW, I guess, I find that BMW/Hella/DIN/Powerlet sockets are quicker and easier to use than SAE connectors (and equally secure and robust). The wire I use for heated gear therefore has a female coax socket at one end and a Powerlet plug at the other, and shortly after that first pic was taken, I replaced that normal cord with a coiled one:
![Image]()
That's my suggestion on this topic, FWIW.
As I've never owned an RT (although my riding buddy has a '12 RT), I'm not all that familiar with its bodywork. Nevertheless, over the years on two Burgman 650s, a Victory Cross Country Tour, and a C 400 GT, I've drilled through the tupperware, in order to add a BMW/Hella/DIN/Powerlet outlet below the left thigh.
As already pointed out, most (all?) heated gear cords exit on the left side. In my opinion, having a cord drape over, around, and under the left thigh is the most convenient location, in terms of easy access (plugging in and removing) and in terms of least interference and distraction while riding.
And so if I owned an RT, I'm betting that I would do the same to that bike. Here's what I'm talking about:
I have a gallery detailing (pics, captions, and links) the Victory mod at Victory Powerlet in Side Cover (which includes my only use of mayonnaise in a bike farkle).
The details on my C 400 GT are in a series of pics and captions in that bike's gallery, starting here: 2022 BMW C 400 GT
As you may note from the pics, I also use that socket for smart-charging, having replaced the typical SAE end of a cord with a male Powerlet plug. And all of these were direct connections to the battery, with typically 14-gauge wire and the hot side fused at 15 amps (just for the heck of it -- typical draw for heated gear is in the 7 - 10 amp range).
Like the engineers at BMW, I guess, I find that BMW/Hella/DIN/Powerlet sockets are quicker and easier to use than SAE connectors (and equally secure and robust). The wire I use for heated gear therefore has a female coax socket at one end and a Powerlet plug at the other, and shortly after that first pic was taken, I replaced that normal cord with a coiled one:
That's my suggestion on this topic, FWIW.
Like everyone has mentioned hooking up directly to the battery is your best bet. I have mine routed under the seat that comes out on the left side just behind my left knee because my controller sticks to my Aerostich on my leg. You can also use the power plug on the dash. The newer bikes have enough wattage to power your jacket.
I came straight up from the battery connection (left side), and have about a 16” pigtail coiled up under the seat.
It’s totally out of sight in warm weather. When it gets cooler, I pull it up through the space between pilot and passenger seats and it dangles just below my left thigh.
Power lead for my my jacket comes out of the left pocket, so it’s simple to connect. Just long enough so I can stand up on the pegs without disconnecting myself. I have a 2 channel wireless controller for jacket & gloves and usually connect it to the top of my tank bag.
Very happy with the setup…
It’s totally out of sight in warm weather. When it gets cooler, I pull it up through the space between pilot and passenger seats and it dangles just below my left thigh.
Power lead for my my jacket comes out of the left pocket, so it’s simple to connect. Just long enough so I can stand up on the pegs without disconnecting myself. I have a 2 channel wireless controller for jacket & gloves and usually connect it to the top of my tank bag.
Very happy with the setup…
Gerbing (and Warm N Safe) makes a coax panel jack. I drilled a small hole in the Tupperware under the seat aft of my left knee. Very sanitary connection for heated gear.
Looks useful, but just be aware Gerber & Keis use different size connectors, but you can buy converters (either way).
Heated Clothing Power Lead Converter - Keis plug to Generic plug
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