BMW G 310 GS - USB Port Install

[@sherriweber7105]

Thank you for great install video of the USB port for Caroline. It was a great install video. Glad you did this video.

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Good morning! Thanks for watching! John does a good job talking us through AND doing the work. What would I do without him? 😅 J&C🍀

[@sherriweber7105]

@@TheGrandShamrockTour You make a great team!

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

$2000 headlight?!? I want one of those SRC headlight protectors, but now I *NEED* one! USB charging ports are a necessity on modern bikes but none of the smaller (less expensive) bikes have them. I installed a dual USB charging port on the left side of the handlebars. I wanted to drill a hole in the plastic panel left of the small LCD instrument cluster but the bike was nearly new and I hated to make any permanent mods. I did this as one of a few electrical upgrades, all wired at the same time, so I didn't need to remove the headlight for each job. The headlamp assembly seems like an interference fit and it can't pop out of the hole, but there's a trick to it. Finagle it and hold your tongue just right and it pops right out, and right back in. I also installed a GPS tracker hidden in the beak that recharges while I ride, and heated grips that I thought I'd use occasionally but I use them all the time. I designed and 3D printed handlebar mounts to install a Pelican 1060 waterproof box as a glove compartment for a plethora of USB cables, a small power bank to charge the Cardo intercoms at lunch or dinner, GoPro batteries, etc. On top of the hinged lid, I installed a spring loaded frame for a 7" Samsung tablet that I use for OSMand off-line GPS navigation. My old eyes like the big screen, and it's low enough in my field of view that I can glance down to navigate but it's not dominating my attention so I'm not distracted too much. It has offline maps for the entire US - street, trails, elevation contour lines, terrain shading, and points of interest, so it can navigate without cellular internet, just like a dedicated Garmin GPS. The USB charging port charges the tablet while I'm riding so I arrive at camp with a recharged tablet that I can use as a computer. If I'm rained in, I can watch a movie on a rest day. The tablet also has a PDF of the bike's manual for maintenance, digital copies of my registration and proof of insurance, and reference guides for various motorcycle accessories. The dual USB port can also charge my phone while I'm riding so it stays charged on multi-day trips. I also wired an SAE pigtail that tucks under the frame on the right side, just below the seat. I use that to charge small devices in camp with the bike ignition off - cell phone, GoPro batteries, small power bank, etc.

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Love the response. I did not have time earlier today to answer but am here now. 😃 I think there is quite the G310GS community out there that will absolutely be interested in your comments. We know that the headlight had the dual port USB option... we chose just the one for now. Luckily, John is the installer and is very patient and was the one to drill the hole in the plastic panel. 😅 I think if we add a phone mount that limits vibration will add the second USB. Let us know if you use @quadlock or other for your phone? Lastly, we may need to purchase a tablet instead of the old GPS Garmin that I am currently using. It works for now, tolerates the vibration, and it will put John back in front. 😎 We had an amazing ride yesterday when the sun was finally out! Ride safe! Caroline (And John) ☘

[@Lucchese2000]

Much thx video. Well done & provides good meeting place for topic. Today installed dash-cam w micro-USB adaptor connected to one of the factory AUX power ports located behind headlight as you described. 2019 G310 GS has only two screws to remove headlight. One each side. Looked for the other two you mentioned underneath but must be only later models. Pulling out the headlight is a challenge - lots of elbow grease. Reinstall even harder. Plastic pry tools are very handy. It could be easier if first remove the headlight connector plug and wire harness. Not sure. In my build left them connected and never removed them. To power dash cam used Dongar 2-Prong Universal (micro USB) 5-volt Adaptor - bought Dongar direct. And 2-Wire Pigtail Harness BMW AUX Connector Plug - off EBay. Soldered & shrink-wrapped together. Secured w zip-ties. Got it all back together. Everything works great. Am thankful no damage to headlight or the fairings. Thanks again great video - got us pointed right direction. BMW Owners Manual says very little about these AUX power ports (i.e. ' Onboard Power Sockets ' )

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Hello! Thanks for the comments and hopefully your comments will help others in doing the install. The local BMW shop was no help in suggesting how to install… but they would charge over $100.00 to do it. 😂 The 2023 does have the two wires for options to connect to. Getting to the wires is tricky and the “finesse” to get in and out can be a challenge. Great work on taking it slow and doing it right. 👍 We both have a helmet cam instead of dash cam so likely will not get back in there for now. 😅 Thanks again for reaching out. Travel safe. John and Caroline ☘️

[@Lucchese2000]

@@TheGrandShamrockTour Yes the guy I talked with at BMW dealer where I bought didn't know about the AUX power sockets behind the headlight. Yep the 2019 also has the two AUX power sockets there. The 2nd one looks a bit harder to access but prob fine after you cut the zip-tie. Yeah removing the headlight was one time deal for me. Never again I hope

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Do you have a BMW that needs a USB Port? We found the need to add the USB Port to our 2023 BMW G 310 GS Rallyes in order to charge our phones or GPS unit for riding. Let us know if this video helps guide you to a safe install. See you out on the road! J&C 🍀

[@JCrozier1]

Easy enough. I need to add a second one for my camera.

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Good idea! Having 2 might be great since there are two auxiliary cables behind the headlamp. Finding the location for the second port might be difficult. We wondered about running a splitter off the original? Let us know. J&C 🍀

[@JCrozier1]

@@TheGrandShamrockTour you probably don't want to split it, as it will reduce the voltage going to both products. However, if you start the day fully charged on both, it'll be more of a maintenance charge, and not need the full beans for either one.

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

@@JCrozier1 - I bought a pair of the weird plugs that BMW uses for the 7 amp accessory switched power ports on the sides of the back of the instrument panel (inside the beak) and wired four devices into the two ports, being careful not to exceed 7A per port, and I used inline 5A fast blow fuses just in case. Wiring devices in parallel doesn't reduce the voltage going to each device.

[@1024gerrydeb]

This install reminds me why you need your wife handy. Their smaller hands fit where ours don't. Great install video.

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Thanks Gerry! John does have smaller hands but still needs the wife from time to time!😂

[@czah2312]

Are the oem accessories "auxillary port" plug male or female plugs?

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Hello! John says the plug is a female. We have been using them and so far they are working great. Caroline has added an older GPS that we had in storage. FYI: We are cautious with vibration on the smaller bikes for our iPhones. Caroline had her iPhone 12 camera go out thinking it was due to vibration? Thanks for watching and reaching out! John and Caroline 🍀

[@czah2312]

is it the same with the g310r?

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

Absolutely! Let us know if the video helps. John ☘️

[@czah2312]

​@@TheGrandShamrockTour Thank you so much for your response. Great video. I asked the dealership and they had no idea what I was talking about.

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

@@czah2312 Interetsing. We purchased here in Oregon at the local BMW dealer. An OEM part for sure. They offered to do the install for around $200.00 plus parts. We opted to do our own install. 😀

[@czah2312]

​@@TheGrandShamrockTour I managed to remove the headlight but I'm not seeing the accessory plugs

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

@@czah2312 Hello! On our two 2023 BMW G310GS Rallyes the two accessory wires were located on the right upper side. We separated the two capped off connections and then only used the one. We left the second accessory wires for use later if we need. I hope this helps. Be sure and reach out again if you have more questions. John☘

[@Thoraxe0987]

I heard that g310 isnt great for installing a usb port onto because they have electrical issues. Is that no longer the case for the newer models?

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

We have seen that the non-OEM ports were an issue. We purchased the OEM USB Post at the local BMW dealer for that reason. We have not had any electrical issues in the first 1000 miles. We did have some compatibility issues with the "Canbus" system on our larger GS bikes. We will definitely report back and let you know. Thanks for reaching our and following along. John and Caroline 🍀

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

The first G310GS model year, 2018, there were stator problems. That's been resolved and is no longer a problem. Ditto for kickstand welds. My 2019 G310GS was one that BMW Motorrad USA took back from dealers, fixed, and sold at a deep discount to get them out of inventory a few months before the 2021 models arrived. I got a great deal with a full three year factory warranty that I never needed.

[@TheGrandShamrockTour]

@@UltralightMotorcycleCamping We are hoping to not need the factory warranty. As we have traveled America, finding a dealer for repairs can be difficult. We have not had any issues with the 310. 🤞😅 Sure hope it stays that way. We rode over 150 miles yesterday: main roads, back roads, a little gravel. Did great! No issues and the GPS worked well for getting us around.

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

@@TheGrandShamrockTour - There is one BMW dealer here in Kentucky. It's in Louisville. I'm 80 miles east. I called them in October when most dealers would be very happy to sell a motorcycle and asked if they had a G310GS. "No." I asked if they could order one for me. "No. We'll probably get one in the spring." Such service! I later learned that nobody in the local Beemer Breakfast that meets every Saturday likes the Louisville dealer. They travel farther to buy their new bikes at the BMW Motorrad dealer in Middletown, north of Cincinnati. I bought my Cosmic Black G310GS sight unseen (I'd never seen much less sat on a G310GS) from an excellent BMW dealer, Kissell Motorsports in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. I arranged for a truck to ship it to me. The Louisville BMW Motorrad dealer doesn't even have a BMW certified mechanic. I don't know how they get away with that with BMW Motorrad USA, but if someone doesn't know any better and takes a BMW to the Louisville dealer for service, a Harley mechanic works on it if it's something like an oil change, new tires or a new battery. If it's more complicated, they transport the bike to a local independent BMW mechanic to do the work and mark up his labor.

[@Lucchese2000]

@@UltralightMotorcycleCamping Yes also have 2019 which was included in the brake caliper recall / stop sale. Bought early 2020 w big discount from dealer after the new brakes were installed