Installation of INNOVV K1 Dual Camera System on a BMW K1600GTL

To prepare for "installation day" I looked at several videos and explanations of others' install experience and learned some valuable tips. It seemed that most had decided to install the DVR under the seat mainly due to it not being waterproof, but also for security. Installation of the GPS unit was also an issue due to the speaker portion not being waterproof. While that made sense, I really didn't want an under-seat installation due to two factors. First, it was inconvenient if I wanted to get in and remove the SD card, change the settings or review video. Second, I had already installed a Centec and other wires for accessories so there really didn't seem to be enough room. So, how to solve the convenience and water issues?

The optimal location for me to access the DVR was on the dash, but it was clear that would not be a waterproof location and the wires would not be long enough to work from the Centec (for power) or the back of the bike (for the rear camera). I had seen a Pelican Case install on the INNOVV website which addressed both those issues, but my handlebars already are farkled so adding another case like that was not an option.

The next best place was around the center of the tank - the wires seemed long enough and I had a tank bag that I take on and off as needed. I decided this would be the best balance for accessibility and protection from rain. Even though my tank bag is removable, I really don't take it off much anyway. I have a Marsee 1.5L hard side tank bag with a powerlet plug and a clear plastic, hard top box. This was important for the GPS to have a good view of the sky and be in a waterproof location, and it allowed the DVR to be installed in the bottom section, protected from sun, rain and prying eyes....

A significant part of this overall installation, and my selection of the final location, is that I had the Centec already installed and also had the power wire for the tank bag installed, but that’s another story. The INNOVV dashcam needs a switched power source and the Centec provides just that. The important details to the INNOVV camera install from my previous work installing the tank bag power cord is that it is attached to the Centec (mounted under the seat), snaked past the battery and under the supports, then up under the center tank plastic fairing piece (the same piece that covers the gas cap cover). I drilled a hole in the center to pull the wire through and dressed up the hole with a standard rubber grommet available at any local home center. It looks good and is small enough that the wire fills most of the hole. With the tank bag covering it, I have never had a problem with water getting inside. Even if it did, everything under it is plastic and it can drain out either side with no problem. The power wire plugs in the back of the tank bag and inside is a dual powerlet/cigarette lighter plug. I considered just using the cigarette plug for the camera, but the INNOVV camera system did not come with the plug (it only came with a two-wire terminal connector system with a relay). While that would have been easier, I still needed to pull the camera wires so I figured I would just wire power directly to the Centec and run it into the tank bag. To do this I ran it along the same channel as the tank bag power wire, under the trim piece and through the same grommet under the tank bag.

After deciding on the location of the DVR unit, the next step was to decide the location of the front and rear cameras. The front camera has a much longer lead wire than the rear, but I needed the longer lead to install the rear camera and wire it to the tank bag. So, I installed the "Front" camera in the rear and vice versa. I emailed INNOVV with the question and they responded quickly that it is the same camera and would not cause any issues. While the 3M mounts that come with the cameras seem strong, I am more comfortable with a permanent mount using a screw or bolt. Using the angle mount that was supplied with the camera, I mounted the rear camera to one of the license plate bolts. It is very inconspicuous but I needed to bend the mount so that it was at least semi-level with the road to get a decent picture. After removing the left rear cap of the brake light there seemed to be a small channel to run the wire through. It went up under the brake light, into that channel below the top box and through to the under-seat area. From there it was easy to run the cable along the frame and under the center gas tank cover (following the same path as the tank bag wire).

The front camera was just as easy. Under the headlight assembly in front of the oil cooler screen are two small plastic trim pieces that are very inconspicuous. Each is secured by one small screw and I decided to mount the front camera to the right side trim piece. Again, the supplied mount had to be bent a bit to level the camera, but the camera fit well in that location. It sits back slightly from the headlight so glare should not be a problem. The wire was run through the back of the trim piece, along the air intake under the fairing and to the top of the gas tank. I secured all wires using small cable ties, and used a standard label maker to identify the wires for future reference.

Next was the remote record button. Assuming I would not be using it often, I didn't need it to be right at my fingertips. Still, I wanted to be able to see it so I could, at a glance, see if the DVR was recording (indicated by the red light at the center of the button). I almost put it on the center of the BMW roundel at the center of the steering column, but that just seemed wrong, even though it fit perfectly! I ended up putting it on the right side handlebar support near the crevice so i could run the wire without it getting loose or being seen. The wire runs right behind the handlebar support to the cluster of cables that run from the handlebar controls. I attached it to that cluster and ran it under the center trim piece over the gas tank.

Everything was installed except the GPS. That install was the easiest since I had decided to install it in the top, clear cover of the tank bag itself. The only install task was to use the 3M sticky mount tape already on the device and locate it in the top case. There is already a wire channel from the top of the tank bag to the main (bottom) area where I planned to install the DVR unit. It is small enough that it fits in the corner of the top case and still leaves enough room for my phone or other items. The color of the GPS and the base of the tray blend perfectly so the unit is almost unnoticeable.

Aligning all the wires under the center fairing piece was a bit tricky, since two were coming from the bottom (rear camera and power) and two were coming from the top (front camera and record button) and there was already the tank bag power wire installed. All of the plugs fit through the previously drilled hole but I had to remove the grommet to allow them to fit. Once all four were through the hole, the grommet was replaced, I used black duct tape under the trim piece to keep them aligned and secured; the wiring looked clean! The power wire was barely long enough, but it worked. All the plastic tank pieces were re-installed. Now it was time to get the wires into the tank bag, and this was the only hole I had to drill. The bottom of the tank bag has a plastic plate which was easy to drill through. I drilled a hole in the center to roughly line up with the hole in the fairing centerpiece and pushed the wires through. The GPS wire came from the top of the tank bag through the pocket and now all five wires were in the bottom section of the tank bag. I used hook and loop sticky back tape to secure the DVR unit to a plastic post in the tank bag (so it would not bounce around) and plugged in all the wires.

I pulled up the INNOVV website, downloaded the camera user manual and programmed the DVR with the settings I wanted. Having it in the tank bag made this much easier, but admittedly I could have done this just as easily if it was under the seat. Looking at the video during stops and removing the SD card to upload to a computer would not have been as easy though! I purchased a Class 10 high speed micro SD card at a local big box electronics store; lucky for me it was on sale! Higher speed is a necessity if you want to have clear video on a high-resolution setting.

While security is a bit of a concern, the DVR is not visible and the bike has a sensitive alarm system. If someone was to get on the bike, move it or jar it enough when opening the tank bag, the alarm will sound. Since the whole system is so inconspicuous, I don't think anyone will really think the DVR is in the tank bag or will bother to steal it since it needs the proper cameras and accessories, etc. That limited issue pales in comparison to my desire for easy access and a waterproof location. Concerns may be different for you, so pick a location that makes you comfortable. Wherever you decide to install the INNOVV motorcycle camera K1, plan ahead for things like wire length and power and take your time to figure out the details. If you're like me (and I hope you're not!), you will need this time to compensate for your limited knowledge and skill at mechanical installations!

I was impressed with the video quality. Video files are easy to identify and can be viewed by most any player that supports MP4 videos. Each camera records separately, but the videos are filed in sequential order. If selected in the DVR menu, the cameras also record on motion and, when parked, for a period of time until the internal battery runs out. Unique features to see who is admiring your bike after you leave it!

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