Installing the BackOff XP on a 2015-2017 (likely later and earlier Versys 1000

Installing the BackOff XP on a 2015-2017 (likely later and earlier Versys 1000

I have wanted to install this module for some time now. Skipped out of the studio today and got my inner mechanic on. I actually consider this a safety requirement, which is why I installed it.

Supplies (What I used)...

BackOff XP taillight modulator
Diagonal cutters
Wire Stripper
Crimpers
Dielectric grease
2 Female and 2 male spade connectors for 18-22AWG wire
2 butt connectors for 18-22AWG wire.
Acetone/Isopropyl Alcohol
Paper towels
Soldering iron
Tinning flux
Silver solder
Great light!

I attached pics to this below. I’m not sure how to add them inline. Sort of clunky board for doing that. The pics aren’t quite in order, but you’ll get the idea. When I get back in a few weeks I will upload these pics to my server and put them inline. That being said, if you have everything in your hand, the directions will be perfectly clear.

Below is a wiring schematic of the Versys 1000. You can see where the taillight wire is. It is a blue wire. This is the only wire you will be cutting.

Step 1. Turn your bike off. There is no need to disconnect the battery cable because we will be releasing the clip to the tail light power.

Step 2: Find the tail light connector in the right side tail area of the bike. Release the cable from the clip before the cable enters the taillight assembly and the white cable holder under to metal crossover. Thus will give you play room.

Step 4: Release the taillight plug from the cable.

Step 5. Carefully trim the wire covering back from the clip on the taillight cable that has been disconnected about 1.5” - 2”. I used my fly tying scissors. Small scissors make this easier. This will expose 3 wires.

Step 6. Snip the BLUE wire in the middle of the exposed area. Trim about 1/4” of the insulation off each end of the blue wire. Things get tight here and the wire is pretty soft. Be careful. We will be attaching spade connectors to both ends of the blue wires next. See pic below.

Step 7. Fill a male and female spade connector on the end where you will insert the blue wires with dielectric grease to protect your connection and crimp on 1 male and 1 female connector to the ends of the blue wire where you cut it. The idea behind this is that if the modulator fails for some reason, you can simply unplug it and join these 2 connectors together and have your regular tail light back. No drama.

Step 8. There are 2 options for the BackOff XP module, 1 and 2. I chose mode 2 because it gives 5 quick flashes the goes to a solid red light. Because of this, I will be using the RED wire to connect to the wire harness clip side of the connector and the RED WITH WHITE STRIPE wire to the tail light.

Step 9. We won’t use the yellow of white wire. Trim them back a bit, strip about 1/4” of insulation off the yellow and white wires. On each, put a butt connector and fill with dialectic grease before crimping on the butt connector. One crimped on, fill the other end of the butt connector with dielectric grease to seal it. This allows you to use these wires later if needed.

Step 10. On the RED wire, put a spade connector that’s to counterpart for the connector you added to the clip-side blue wire. Fill the connector where you will insert the red wire to the BackOff XP module with dielectric grease and crimp on the appropriate spade connector.

Step 11. On the RED WITH WHITE STRIPE wire, put a spade connector that’s to counterpart for the connector you added to the tail light-side blue wire. Fill the connector where you will insert the red with white line wire to the BackOff XP module with dielectric grease and crimp on the appropriate spade connector.

Step 12. Strip about an inch of insulation off the BLACK ground wire. Twist the wire together in a spiral to keep it together. Dip it in tinning flux and use a soldering iron to apply silver solder to your wire. I added it to a latch bolt for testing only. Don’t keep it there or the seat my rub it and break it. We will use the big bolt over where I installed the Back Off XP module under the right side of the crossmember.

Step 13. It’s time to assemble everything. Add the double-sided adhesive pad that comes with the module to the back of the Back Off XP module after wiping the module with acetone or alcohol. Wipe under the right side if the crossmember also to ensure a clean surface. See pic below.

Step 14. I decided to attach my Back Off XP module under the right side of frame crossmember. It fits here nicely, although it take a bit of fiddling to get your fingers in this area. You can do it. Once you get it in place, press it to the crossmember firmly to attach it. See pic below.

Step 15. Connection time. First, attach the ground wire to the bolt right above the module location. Re-secure the bolt with the tinned wire pinched under it. I will likely be butt-connecting this to a bit longer ground wire and secure it with a freshly-drilled ground bolt to the crossmember. This wire is a bit short for my liking. I will update this if I do.

Step 16. Attach the RED wire from the module to the clip-side BLUE wire connector. Attach the RED WITH WHITE LINE wire to the taillight side BLUE wire. Remember to completely fill dielectric grease in the female connectors before a connection is made. FILL each connector with dielectric grease to protect the joint and keep it waterproof.

Step 17. Turn your bike on and check out your work. You should see 5 quick flashes followed by a steady red brake light when either brake is activated.

Step 18. Enjoy a liquid beverage knowing you’re a bit safer for your effort!