BMW Motorcycle R1150RT headlight bulbs utilize H3 size for high beam and H7 size for low beam applications. The replacement chart covers 2001 to 2005 production years with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The BMW Motorcycle R1150RT uses the H3 bulb type for the high beam headlight across all model years from 2001-2005.
The H3 is a single-filament halogen bulb operating at 12V and 55W, fitted with a PK22s base, and is rated under the ECE standard with approval in the US and Japan.
The low beam headlight on the R1150RT takes an H7 bulb across the same 2001-2005 model year span.
The H7 is also a single-filament halogen bulb rated at 12V and 55W, but it uses a PX26d base rather than the PK22s base found on the H3, making the two types physically non-interchangeable despite sharing identical voltage and wattage ratings.
Both the H3 and H7 conform to ECE standards, giving them broad international approval across European, US, and Japanese markets.
Because the H3 and H7 differ in base type, a bulb intended for the high beam position cannot be seated in the low beam housing, and vice versa.