BMW r1250GS/A Daytime Running Light EU vs USA

[Ron from BC]

The LED headlight on these models have that X pattern.  On EU  models this is the only part of the headlight which is illuminated and acts as the Daytime Running Light (DRL).  There is a button on the left control switch to turn on/off.  On US and CDN models this function is not available and instead the DRL is just the low beam headlight and that DRL switch on the left is not there.

Now there is a way to have that EU X pattern DRL on North American models by holding the turn signal cancel button for 5 seconds and then press that button to the right for another 5 seconds.  The low beam then turns off and is replaced by the LED X pattern.  The TFT then shows that there is a fault with the low beam.  The X pattern DRL will remain on until the next ignition cycle.

With the recent updates to this bike via the GS-911 allowing different TFT screen appearances (Sport etc) and the ability to have the rear indicator lights as cruising lights is it possible to have the GS-911 program the bike's system to allow this X pattern for US/CDN models instead of having the low beam as the DRL?


Thanks....

[jjhj306]

Does your left hand switch gear have the light button between the cruise control switch and the menu button?

[Ron from BC]

No, the North American models don't have it.  I was hoping that the coders could allow the function in the GS-911 menu as with the rear indicators in 'Cruising Lights On/Off'.  (EU DRL mode on/off for example)

[jjhj306]

I’m pretty sure to get it to work you’d need to replace the left switch gear. I was talking with a guy from Serbia and his bike is the same as yours.

Your switchgear is wired in a way that the headlight is permanently switched on

[Ron from BC]

Correct, and I included that method in my original post.

[ukaiuy]

you need to hold the turn signal cancel button for five seconds, followed by five seconds of pressing just to the right
run 3

[EAmin]

Hello,

@Ron from BC, any luck finding a permanent solution to run the "X" DRL on a US/Canadian spec 1250 without the low beam?

[Ron from BC]

Sadly no....

[EAmin]

Bummer!

The temporary fix using the indicator sequence (down, right for 5 seconds) does work on my bike.  Unfortunately my OEM fog light doesn't work as an Aux light when I do this.

I don't have any aftermarket lights yet, but I'd like to be run the front indicators, the X DRL and the OEM fog lights with yellow lenses during daylight hours.  I didn't imagine this would be so difficult. 

https://www.facebook.com/lonerider.motorcycle/posts/sunday-is-funday-yet-also-a-productive-day-time-to-go-snap-some-more-shots-of-th/3642310382473300/

[bmwtje]

https://www.hexgs911.com/nl/news/may-2025-software-and-firmware-updates/

[EAmin]

Great news

[Ron from BC]

Yes a great update, I had it config'd within an hour of getting the  email notification.   

[botus]

Yes a great update, I had it config'd within an hour of getting the  email notification.   

I looked up the switchgear - def a different unit for USA Mkt - so does the new retrofit for EU DRL remove the error in diagnostics?

Description Design: Button, black  For vehicles with Cruise control - X538A=Yes    
For vehicles with Dynamic ESA - X191A=No
and with Daytime running lamps - X202A=No    
Combination switch left       1          61319480151          
   


Description Design: Button, black  For vehicles with Cruise control - X538A=Yes    
For vehicles with Dynamic ESA - X191A=Yes
and with Daytime running lamps - X202A=No

Combination switch left       1          61319480153          
   


Description Design: Button, black  For vehicles with Cruise control - X538A=Yes    
For vehicles with Dynamic ESA - X191A=Yes
and vehicles with Daytime running lamps - X202A=Yes

Combination switch left       1          61319480157    

[Ron from BC]

Now this could just be a coincidence but since installing and activating the EU daytime running lights I've noticed a couple of odds things:

1.  When I first made the change the TFT showed a new white icon on the bottom for this new DRL mode.  I still had only 1 green icon on the left side which is for the OEM LED fog/driving lights.  I've recently noticed a second green icon immediately above the LED one which I believe is also for the DRL?  If so, I wonder why it didn't show for about a week?

2.  The X pattern of this DRL is not as bright as the NA/CDN model, specifically the two horizontal LED lines on the NA/CDN mode

3.  The OEM LED fog/driving lights are not as bright as they were.

Anyone else notice any of these changes?

Thanks...

[botus]

its intriguing you are saying things aren't as bright now,

on the cars it was always USA spec BMW cars that had deliberately dim headlights for the USA market - you can code them to euro spec and they get much brighter on the E89 models (1995 to 2011 3 series) and I expect all the others too

I can see maybe there are brightness issues for DRL that might differ between various markets and likely the same limitations could exist on spot lights...
may be they are now fog lights rather than aux driving lights - fogs are meant to light the road just in front to look under the fog - rather than flare up and blind you like driving lights would in heavy fog