alternator upgrade?

[CaptainSlow]

Sorry if this has been asked before...

Judging by the various discussions on here and elsewhere on the web regarding the R65 alternator, I was wondering if there is a good/easy upgrade to an alternative alternator?

I have a pair of foglamps that I'd like to fit as running lights to my R65 (when I get one), but I'm a bit worried about the ability of the alternator to keep the battery sufficiently well charged - it seems a bit borderline without me adding a further load on it! The lamps I've got are the projector ones that you usually see on BMW GS crash bars.

Thanks

[Barry]

Yes it's easy enough with a number of aftermarket alternators but they are seriously expensive so you might consider reducing power consumption with LED's as running lights.

Remind us which year your bike is as the points ignitions pull an amp or 2 less current and so have a bit more to spare. Certainly enough to power a couple of low wattage running lights.

Personally I think the claims of an airhead alternators being underpowered are overdone.  If you are doing only very short  journeys at low revs or the bike is not regularly used then the stock system will struggle and you need a trickle charger. That applies to any vehicle to be honest including my car.  Batteries tend to get neglected and if you start a journey with a partially discharged battery it's hardly fair to label the alternator inadequate if it doesn't bring it up to charge on a short run.
 
Snowbum has tested various alternatives if you want an in depth technical explanation of what difference the after market alternators make.

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/altcapability.htm
  

[CaptainSlow]

Thanks for getting back to me Barry. I haven't got a bike yet - still looking but I know what I want, and what I want to do to it. The shortlist is R65 twin shock, followed by R65 single shock There isn't a 3d option lol.

Point taken about using LEDs, and it is something I've thought about - fitting LED bulbs all round. Just need to find a suitable bike at the right price!