CHIGEE RM-1 Mirror Buying Guide: Should You Choose the BMW or CG Version?

After enough time on a motorcycle, you start to appreciate the parts you use without really thinking about them. Mirrors are a good example. A glance before overtaking, another before changing lanes, a quick check as traffic builds behind you—it all becomes second nature. And because you use them so often, small details matter: the view you get, the glare from headlights, and where a warning appears when you need to notice it.

You might start looking for new mirrors simply because you like the way they look. But once you begin comparing options, a few practical questions come up. Will you keep your bike’s factory lane-change warnings? Do you need a separate radar? And if you already have a CHIGEE display, can the two work together?

The CHIGEE RM-1 BMW and RM-1 CG serve different setups. Once you understand how each connects to your bike and its warning system, choosing between them becomes much easier.

RM-1 BMW: Mirrors for the R 1300 GS and GS Adventure

If you ride a BMW R 1300 GS or GS Adventure equipped with factory Riding Assistant, you may already have the radar system you need. What you want is a different set of mirrors while keeping the lane-change warnings you’re used to.

That’s where the RM-1 BMW fits in. It connects to the factory mirror connectors and receives warnings from BMW’s existing system. When a lane-change warning is triggered, the indicator in the corresponding mirror stem lights up. The alert sits beside the mirror glass, where you’re already looking, and there’s no need to buy an additional radar for this upgrade.

Before ordering, though, check more than the BMW badge. This version requires both the right model—the R 1300 GS or GS Adventure—and factory Riding Assistant. If you’re unsure whether your bike has that equipment, check its specification or ask your dealer. A little confirmation now is easier than figuring out the connections after the mirrors arrive.

RM-1 CG: An Option for Other Motorcycles

If you don’t ride an R 1300 GS or GS Adventure, there’s an RM-1 option worth exploring too. The CG version is designed for other motorcycles with compatible M10 screw-in mirror mounts. That can include other brands and other BMW models, provided the mounting requirements are met. Before buying, check the thread pitch, thread direction, and available clearance around the mounts.

Perhaps your bike doesn’t have factory radar, but you’ve been thinking about adding rear-traffic alerts. During the week, you ride through busy commuting traffic; on weekends, you head onto faster, more open roads. You’d like an extra warning alongside your own observations. In that case, consider the RM-1 CG together with the CHIGEE SR-1 Radar: the SR-1 detects traffic, and the mirrors display its alerts in their stems.

Already have an SR-1? The CG mirrors let you bring those indicators into the mirror area. Starting from scratch? You can plan the radar, mirrors, and cable routing together. And if you only want to upgrade your mirrors for now, the CG version can also work as a regular rearview mirror, leaving you the option to add radar later. Just remember: the SR-1 is sold separately, and the warning indicators only work when the mirrors are connected to it. That helps you decide whether this purchase is a mirror upgrade or part of a complete radar setup.

RM-1 BMW vs CG: Key Differences

Having a CHIGEE display already installed doesn’t determine which mirrors you need. Start with your motorcycle and the system providing the warnings. The BMW version cannot send factory radar alerts to a CHIGEE screen. With the CG version, screen alerts come through the SR-1, so you’ll also need to check display compatibility.

There’s one particular case to be clear about: an R 1300 GS or GS Adventure without factory Riding Assistant is currently supported by neither version. The CG model does not fit those bikes, so it isn’t an alternative route for that configuration.

Everyday Use: Visibility, Glare, and Folding

Once you’ve worked out the warning system, it’s worth coming back to the mirrors themselves. After all, their main job is still to help you see what’s behind you.

Think about riding home after dark, with headlights reflecting in the mirrors, or heading out when the sun is low. The RM-1’s gold-tinted, anti-glare wide-angle glass helps reduce glare and gives you a broader rearward view. When you’re parking or putting the bike away, the folding design is useful too. The aluminum construction and black-and-gold finish bring the practical and visual sides of the upgrade together.

Of course, any new mirrors need adjusting to suit you. Once they’re fitted, sit on the bike in your normal riding position and hold the handlebars as you usually would. Check how much of each mirror is blocked by your shoulders, then make sure there’s enough clearance as you turn the bars. It’s a small part of the installation, but an important one—you’re setting up a view you’ll use on every ride.

RM-1 Installation: What to Check Before You Begin

Once you’ve chosen a version, watching the installation can make the next steps easier to picture. If you plan to fit the mirrors yourself, it helps to see how the originals come off, where the connectors sit, and how the cables are secured before you start gathering tools.

The following tutorial, featured on the RM-1 BMW product page, walks through the BMW installation:

For the CG version, consider the mirrors and SR-1 installation together. The mirrors plug into the radar’s main harness, while the SR-1 itself needs mounting and a connection to the bike’s power supply. Before ordering, confirm the mirror-mount specifications and available space. If you’ve already fitted aftermarket handguards or other handlebar accessories, include those details when checking compatibility.

You don’t need to identify every connector on your own before asking for help. Your bike’s model and year, along with clear photos of the existing mirror mounts and surrounding area, give the support team a much better starting point than a model name alone. It also helps to explain whether you’re replacing only the mirrors, adding to an existing SR-1 setup, or planning a complete installation.

Once everything is fitted and adjusted, you can get back to the familiar rhythm of riding. The stem indicators add another cue, but an unlit warning doesn’t mean the lane is clear. Checking your mirrors, checking your blind spots, and judging the traffic remain part of every lane change. The aim is to make the extra information fit naturally into those habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between RM-1 BMW and RM-1 CG?

The main difference is where the warnings come from. RM-1 BMW uses the factory Riding Assistant on a compatible R 1300 GS or GS Adventure. RM-1 CG uses the separately purchased CHIGEE SR-1 Radar and fits other motorcycles with compatible M10 mirror mounts. Choose according to your bike and warning system.

Does the RM-1 have a built-in radar?

No. Neither version detects traffic on its own. The BMW version displays warnings from the bike’s factory system, while the CG version displays warnings from the SR-1. Buying the mirrors alone does not add radar detection to your motorcycle.

Can I use RM-1 CG without buying the SR-1?

Yes. It works as a regular rearview mirror without the SR-1, but the stem warning indicators will not operate. If you decide to add radar alerts later, you will need the SR-1 and its installation.

Will RM-1 CG fit my non-BMW motorcycle?

It may, if your bike uses compatible M10 screw-in mirror mounts. Check the thread pitch, thread direction, and clearance around the mounts before ordering. A brand or model name alone is not enough to confirm the fit; photos of your current mounts can help the support team check your setup.

What if my R 1300 GS or GS Adventure does not have Riding Assistant?

Neither RM-1 version currently supports that configuration. RM-1 BMW requires factory Riding Assistant, and RM-1 CG does not fit the R 1300 GS or GS Adventure. The CG version is therefore not a workaround for a bike without the factory system.

Can the warnings appear on my CHIGEE display?

With RM-1 CG, alerts can also appear on a compatible CHIGEE display through the SR-1 Radar. Check your display’s compatibility before planning the setup. RM-1 BMW shows the factory warnings in its mirror stems only and cannot send them to a CHIGEE display.