RID upgrade + 94 R1100RS

[mgordon]

Can a 94 r1100rs be upgraded to fit the RID unit? In other words, if i got the proper instrument cover to house the unit, will it plug into the bike's existing harness? Thanks

[boofer]

my 94 R1100RSL has the RID......i doubt that BMW would have bothered with two wiring harnesses.

[breyfogle]

Maybe, maybe not. Some early RS's, delivered without an RID, had the gear position sensor factory installed on the transmission. Later RS's without the RID did not have the gear sensor pre-installed. If your bike has the gear sensor already installed, an RID can be fitted simply by plugging it in to the wiring harness connector. If you don't have the gear position switch, it can be easily installed (AFTER the swing arm has been removed !! ).

[AntonLargiader]

Some bikes did not have the wiring harness to support the RID, and the gear position switch had a very long cord all the way up to the RID. It is a PITA to remove the tranny!! The connector would be with the sidestand switch and neutral switch connectors if you have it in the harness.

[mgordon]

i don't think i have the gear position switch, which would be on top of the rear drive unit. Just a little black cap over a protruding part there, unless the wires run inside?

[jdiaz]

i don't think i have the gear position switch, which would be on top of the rear drive unit. Just a little black cap over a protruding part there, unless the wires run inside?

The gear position switch resides on the back of the transmission. It is hidden by the swingarm.

IOW, it a lot of work just to add a marginally accurate fuel level readout. Plus, I found myself worrying a lot more about oil temperature than when I had no RID. I'd spend the coin elsewhere.

[breyfogle]

i don't think i have the gear position switch, which would be on top of the rear drive unit. Just a little black cap over a protruding part there, unless the wires run inside?

Look at the back of the transmission case just forward of the swingarm. You should see one black wire coming out from where you can't see toward a LHS frame rail where it goes up toward the tank. This will be the neutral indicator switch lead that is present on all R1100's. *IF* you see a second wire coming from the same general starting point on the tranny then you have the gear position switch.

[mgordon]

yup, two wires. thanks

[kbasa]

Some bikes did not have the wiring harness to support the RID, and the gear position switch had a very long cord all the way up to the RID. It is a PITA to remove the tranny!! The connector would be with the sidestand switch and neutral switch connectors if you have it in the harness.

I spliced a four pin connector in there to make that process much, much easier. In addition to not having to mess with the whole wiring harness issues, you can just pull the finaldrive/swingarm/trans as a unit.