By ApexMoto, official dealer for Denali
Are you looking for a Denali CANsmart for your BMW and encountering both "Gen 1" and "Gen 2" in search results and forums? At ApexMoto, we exclusively sell the Gen II controller today. Below, you'll find the real difference compared to the previous generation, and which version suits your BMW model. #makelifearide
What is the difference between Denali CANsmart Gen 1 and Gen 2?
Gen II provides each of the four circuits with a full 10A continuous power and is fully configurable per circuit; Gen I lacks that freedom and the new lighting functions.
A CANbus controller like the CANsmart taps into your BMW's CANbus system and provides four programmable power circuits for accessories — extra lighting, a horn, a brake light function — without having to add separate relays or extra wiring.
The core difference between the generations is confirmed on Denali's own product page: with Gen I, not every circuit was freely adjustable for every type of accessory. Gen II solves this — all four circuits now deliver a full 10A continuously and can all be configured for any accessory. The total power of the unit remains the same at 30A continuous in both generations; the difference lies in what each individual circuit can handle.
| Gen I | Gen II | |
|---|---|---|
| Power per circuit | not every circuit freely configurable for every accessory | all 4 circuits deliver full 10A continuous, freely configurable |
| Total power of the unit | 30A continuous | 30A continuous (unchanged) |
| Modulating auxiliary lights | not available | available, for enhanced visibility |
| Independent cancellation with turn signal | not available | available, left/right can be switched off separately |
| Available at ApexMoto | no longer | yes — current line-up, see below |
If you buy a new CANsmart today, you are definitely buying the Gen II — that is the only version we still carry, for every BMW model in our CANsmart collection. Riders who want to upgrade from an existing Gen I rarely occur in practice at ApexMoto — most customers who buy a CANsmart now buy the Gen II immediately.
Which Denali CANsmart fits my BMW model?
Denali does not make a universal CANsmart — each version is built for a specific BMW series, with the appropriate plug and CANbus connection.
Therefore, always check your exact model before ordering: the wiring and pinout differ per series, and an incorrect version simply will not fit your motorcycle's CANbus connection. This is the current Gen II line-up in our CANsmart collection:
| BMW Series | Denali CANsmart Gen II | Price |
|---|---|---|
| R1200LC & R1250 (e.g. R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RT) | view product | €352.06 |
| F- and K-series | view product | €275.00 |
| K1600, S1000XR, F900XR, F850GS & F750GS | view product | €352.06 |
| R1200 (Hex Head, up to 2014) | view product | €348.99 |
| R1300GS & R1300GS Adventure ('24-) | view product | €332.19 |
Don't ride a BMW but a KTM (1290/1190/1090/1050/790 series) or a Honda Africa Twin 1100? There's also a specific Gen II version for those, starting from €269.95 — outside the scope of this article, but available in the same collection.
Are you unsure which version belongs to your license plate, or would you like to have the CANsmart programmed and installed instead of doing it yourself? Contact us — we install it in our workshop in Roelofarendsveen, 3 minutes from the A4.
NEEDS FROM YOU: how many hours does it take on average to program and install a CANsmart on a BMW GS, and what do you charge for that? As with the LED lighting, a concrete installation rate here is the most quotable line of the entire article.
Prefer not Denali?
The HEX ezCAN is the main alternative to the CANsmart, starting from €239.95, and works on the same CANbus principle.
Both brands essentially do the same: control CANbus accessories without extra relays or wiring. Are you in doubt between Denali CANsmart and HEX ezCAN for your BMW? That deserves its own comparison — for now, if you already have Denali lighting or a Denali SoundBomb, the CANsmart is the logical choice because the circuits are specifically matched to it.
NEEDS FROM YOU: do you have a personal preference or rule of thumb that you give customers at the counter when choosing between CANsmart vs. ezCAN? One sentence about that is stronger than anything we, as outsiders, can write.
Questions for you (before we publish this)
- What is your average installation and programming time for a CANsmart on a BMW GS, and what do you charge for it?
- Do you have a rule of thumb that you give customers when choosing between CANsmart and ezCAN?
- Are there any BMW models in the table above that you notice are frequently ordered incorrectly?
- Do you have an installation photo of a real CANsmart installation (not an AI image) that we can add?
