The Kawasaki KLR650 front and rear turn signal bulbs utilize a PY21W size, designated as 12496 in the replacement chart covering 2008 to 2018 production years. This bulb size specification applies consistently across the documented model range for both directional lighting positions.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The two bulb types used across the Kawasaki KLR650 turn signal positions are the PY21W and the 12496. Both operate on a 12-volt electrical system, making them electrically compatible in terms of voltage rating.
The PY21W is an ECE-standard single-filament amber bulb rated at 21 watts. It uses a BAU15s bayonet base, which is an offset-pin fitting designed to prevent incorrect installation in sockets that require a specific rotational orientation.
The 12496 is a part number associated with Philips and Osram and is classified as a halogen bulb intended for specialty applications. Its wattage is not specified in the provided data, which means it cannot be confirmed as a direct watt-for-watt equivalent to the PY21W.
The BAU15s base of the PY21W is distinct from the more common BA15s base. The offset pins on the BAU15s are not symmetrically placed, so a BA15s bulb cannot be substituted without a socket adapter or modification.
Front and rear turn signal positions on the KLR650 do not always share the same bulb type within a given model year. For example, the 2013-2016 model years use a PY21W at the front but a 12496 at the rear, meaning the front and rear positions require separate bulb selections.
The PY21W is an amber-colored bulb by construction, meaning the glass envelope itself is tinted. This differs from clear bulbs used in amber-lensed housings, and substituting a clear bulb in a housing designed for a pre-colored source would affect the output color.
For the 2008 model year, both the front and rear turn signal positions share the PY21W specification, making it the only year in the dataset where a single bulb type covers both positions simultaneously.
The 12496 designation follows a manufacturer part-numbering convention rather than an industry-wide standard classification, which means cross-referencing with the ECE or SAE bulb numbering systems would be necessary to confirm interchangeability with other bulb families.