Folding mirrors for adventure motorcycles: which ones to choose and how to install them

A folding mirror reduces damage in low-speed falls and tight spaces

The advantage is not aesthetic but mechanical: when the motorcycle slides to the ground while stationary, scrapes against vegetation, or passes between two closely spaced obstacles, a rigid mirror transfers all the force to the threaded stem or the mirror plastic. Within a certain angle, a folding mirror absorbs the impact by rotating toward the handlebar instead of breaking.

There is a second reason, less often mentioned but just as practical. Standing on the footpegs, with wide handguards, risers that raise the handlebars, and a bulky tank bag, the space around the dashboard becomes narrower. A mirror that folds away frees up that space when needed - on a narrow passage between two rocks, in a crowded parking lot, or while loading onto a ferry - and returns to the riding position without having to be readjusted from scratch each time, if it has the right joint.

On a mixed day, with asphalt in the morning and dirt roads in the afternoon, this flexibility matters more than simple aesthetics: the motorcycle switches from a touring setup to a compact setup in a few seconds, without taking anything apart.

The law requires approved mirrors in pairs, not a specific model

In Italy, as in the rest of the European Union, motorcycle rear-view mirrors are approved according to UNECE Regulation No. 81, which governs both handlebar mounting and minimum optical characteristics. The conformity mark is a capital letter E enclosed in a circle, followed by the number of the country that issued the approval: it must be stamped on the mirror and on the packaging.

For non-circular mirrors, the rule changes in form but not in substance: the surface must be able to contain a circle 78 mm in diameter and fit within a 120×120 mm rectangle. The number of mirrors to be fitted is not up to the motorcyclist: it must correspond to what is stated in the model's original type approval, meaning two mirrors on any adventure bike capable of exceeding 100 km/h.

LOBOO's three folding mirrors differ in lens, size and weight

The three generic models in the range — RM01, RM02 and RM03 — share the same 27 mm mounting stem and the same folding design, but they are not equivalent: the lens shape, total height and arm length differ, so their protrusion and field of view differ as well.

The RM01 is the only one with a 115 mm circular lens and is also the tallest: on motorcycles with a larger windscreen or adjustable windshield, that extra height helps you see over panniers and the top case. The RM02 has the largest lens in the range, 166.1×103 mm, but is currently out of stock in both finishes: anyone looking for it can still find the stock update in the motorcycle mirrors collection. The RM03 is the most compact — less height, shorter arm — designed for those who want to reduce lateral bulk without dropping below a viewing surface that remains useful on the road.

None of the three comes with mounting hardware: across the entire generic LOBOO range, including the RM01, the adapter kit must be purchased separately based on your motorcycle's mounting type (more on this later).

For those who already have the LCW system, the BMW R 1300 GS has a fourth dedicated model

The LOBOO RM02-1300 is not a universal alternative to the other three: it fits only BMW R 1300 GS and R 1300 GS Adventure motorcycles already equipped as standard with the LCW system, the lane change warning system. The warning indicator is integrated into the lens, and the mirror wiring must be connected to that system's original connector. On a motorcycle without factory-fitted LCW, there is nothing to connect it to: this is not a mechanical compatibility limitation, but the absence of the electrical signal it should receive.

Unlike the three universal models, the RM02-1300 comes complete: two M10×20 screws to be tightened to 20 N·m, washers, an 8 mm Allen key, silicone covers and five cable ties for the wiring. No adapter kit is required. It has the same wide lens as the RM02 (166.1×103 mm) but weighs more per mirror, approximately 539 g compared with approximately 500 g for the other models, precisely because of the integrated wiring. It is also the most expensive in the range: €373.50, currently available with 2 pieces in stock.

Those considering the complete setup for their R 1300 GS can find the full overview in the BMW R 1300 GS accessories guide or, for the Adventure version, in BMW R 1300 GS Adventure accessories.

The mounting hardware determines whether the mirror fits your motorcycle, not the model

RM01, RM02 and RM03 leave the factory without mounting hardware. The LOBOO adapter kit is what actually secures them to the handlebar or original mirror, and it is available in nine different codes, one for each attachment type.

Between one code and another, the differences are the screw length (from 20 to 35 mm), the pitch (1.5 or 1.25 mm), the thread direction — several motorcycles use a left-hand-threaded screw on the left side of the mirror — and whether aluminum spacers are included to make up for the thickness of the handguards. The price is the same for all codes, €4.50, and covers a very broad range of compatible models: from the BMW R 1200/1250/1300 GS to the KTM 890 and 1290 Adventure, from the Ténéré 700 to the Africa Twin, from the Ducati DesertX to the Tiger 900, as well as Voge, Husqvarna Norden, CFMOTO, Suzuki V-Strom and several other models: the complete list, motorcycle by motorcycle, is in the kit specifications.

• Compare the original mirror screw - diameter, pitch, thread direction - with the kit screw before discarding the packaging.
• Screw it in by hand for at least five turns. If you feel resistance, stop: the thread does not match, so do not force it.
• Adjust everything first, tighten afterward. The final tightening torque for the adapter kit is 20 N·m, always after adjustment is complete, never while the mirror still needs to be positioned.

If your motorcycle does not appear in the list of the nine codes, LOBOO also produces a universal kit - usable if at least 10 mm remain between the edge of the mirror hole and the brake fluid reservoir - which is not yet listed in the Endurrad catalog but can be ordered by writing to us with the make, model, and year.

Which mirror to choose based on your motorcycle and use

If you ride mainly on asphalt and long transfers, the priority is the viewing surface: RM01, with its greater height, or RM02 - when it becomes available again - with its wider lens, remain readable even with panniers and a top case fitted. If, on the other hand, you often alternate technical off-road, rocky passages, or narrow sections, the RM03 reduces the lateral bulk while accepting a slightly smaller viewing surface.

It is also worth checking what is already on the handlebar. A riser that raises the handlebar changes the mirror's working angle relative to the rider's shoulders; more enveloping handguards may require the thickness-compensation bushings included with some adapter kit codes. None of these accessories is incompatible with folding mirrors, but they change the angle and available space, so it is best to check them together rather than one at a time.

For those who already have the R 1300 GS or R 1300 GS Adventure with factory-fitted LCW, the choice is already limited to the RM02-1300: it is the only model that keeps the motorcycle's original safety function active; the other three would simply disable it because they do not have the wiring to receive it.

Frequently asked questions

What is a folding motorcycle mirror?

It is a motorcycle rear-view mirror whose arm folds toward the handlebar within a certain angle instead of breaking in the event of a light side impact, brushing against vegetation, or passing through narrow gaps between obstacles.

How many mirrors are legally required on a motorcycle?

The number must match the original type-approval configuration for the model: two mirrors, one on each side, on motorcycles type-approved for speeds above 100 km/h — meaning practically all adventure bikes — and just one on models that do not reach that speed in their type approval.

Do aftermarket mirrors have to be approved?

Yes. They must bear the UNECE approval mark, an E in a circle followed by the country number, both on the mirror and on the packaging, and comply with the minimum dimensions set out in UNECE Regulation No. 81.

What is the minimum permitted reflective surface?

69 cm². For circular lenses, the diameter must be between 94 and 150 mm; for non-circular lenses, the surface must contain a circle 78 mm in diameter and fit within a 120×120 mm rectangle.

What do I risk with non-approved or missing mirrors?

Administrative penalties apply, with more severe penalties — which may include withdrawal of the vehicle registration certificate — for unauthorized modifications to the vehicle's construction characteristics. Exact amounts are updated periodically: check aci.it or the Official Gazette before treating them as definitive.

What is the difference between the LOBOO RM01, RM02, and RM03?

The lens shape, overall height, and arm length differ. RM01 has the range's only circular lens and is the tallest; RM02 has the largest lens (166.1×103 mm); RM03 is the most compact, with less lateral projection.

Is the adapter kit included with the mirror?

No, not for RM01, RM02, and RM03: the mounting hardware must be purchased separately using the adapter kit code corresponding to your mount. The exception is the RM02-1300 for the BMW R 1300 GS with LCW, which comes complete with all the hardware and wiring.

How do I know which adapter kit my motorcycle needs?

The selector on the motorcycle mirror product pages indicates the correct code for the make, model, and mounting. In three cases — Suzuki V-Strom 800/1050, CFMOTO 800MT, and Benelli TRK — the code also depends on whether handguards are present: verify your exact configuration before ordering.

What is the RM02-1300 and who is it designed for?

It is the dedicated folding mirror for BMW R 1300 GS and GS Adventure models that come standard with the LCW system, the lane change warning: it integrates the warning light into the lens and connects to the system's original wiring. It cannot be used on a motorcycle without factory-fitted LCW.

Why is the left-hand thread important before installing the mirrors?

Several motorcycles use a left-hand thread on the left mirror, to prevent it from loosening on its own due to engine torque. If you don't check this beforehand, you could damage the original thread by forcing a bolt in the wrong direction.

Can folding mirrors withstand any crash?

No. The folding system reduces the risk of breakage in slow-speed falls, scrapes, and tight passages, but it does not eliminate damage in a severe impact or a high-energy crash: no mirror, folding or otherwise, is indestructible.

Are LOBOO mirrors compatible with my motorcycle if it isn't listed?

Write to Endurrad with the make, model, and year: LOBOO also produces a universal kit that can be installed if at least 10 mm remains between the mirror hole and the brake fluid reservoir. It is not yet in the catalog but can be ordered on request.

How much does a LOBOO folding mirror weigh?

About 500 g per mirror for the RM01, RM02, and RM03. The RM02-1300, with integrated wiring for the LCW system, weighs about 539 g.

Is a round lens or a rectangular one better?

There is no objective superiority: the RM01's round lens is the tallest in the range and helps when panniers and a top case are fitted; the rectangular lenses of the RM02 and RM03 offer different surface areas, from the largest to the most compact, depending on how much lateral bulk you're willing to accept.