BMW Motorcycle R1150R front and rear turn signal bulbs use PY21W, P21W, or 12496 bulb sizes. The replacement chart covers 2001 to 2006 model years with corresponding bulb specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The BMW Motorcycle R1150R uses two distinct turn signal bulb types depending on lens configuration: PY21W for clear lens housings and P21W for non-clear lens housings, a pattern that applies to both front and rear positions across the 2001-2006 model years.
PY21W is an ECE-standard single-filament amber bulb rated at 12V and 21W, fitted with a BAU15s bayonet base. Its amber pigmentation is built into the glass envelope, which is why it is paired with clear lens housings rather than colored ones.
P21W is also an ECE-standard single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 21W, but it uses a BA15s bayonet base. It produces clear or white light and relies on a colored lens housing to produce the amber turn signal output required by regulations.
PY21W and P21W are not interchangeable despite sharing the same wattage and voltage rating. Their bayonet bases differ: BAU15s on the PY21W has offset pins, while BA15s on the P21W has symmetrical pins. This physical difference prevents incorrect installation in most housings.
The 12496 is a Philips/Osram part number designating a halogen bulb rated at 12V for specialty applications. It appears in the front turn signal position for 2004-2005 model years and in the rear turn signal position for 2002 and 2004, always in the clear lens configuration.
In years where 12496 is specified for the clear lens variant, it occupies the same functional role as the PY21W, suggesting it serves as an amber halogen alternative within that lens configuration rather than a separate fitment category.
The lens configuration of the R1150R housing is therefore the primary factor determining which bulb type is required, with clear lens housings calling for an amber-producing bulb and non-clear lens housings using the standard white-output P21W.
All three bulb types referenced in the specifications operate on a 12V electrical system, consistent with standard motorcycle electrical architecture.