1150 GS batteries.. need a bit of help..

[rocks]

Hi Folks,
Right, my beloved x-reg wouldn't start recently and having had it on the optimiate the optimate is constantly showing "weak". The initial inspection it appears fluid levels are ok. So as its the original BMW lead cell battery that came with the bike, and has been flattened a few times in the past I suspect this is its swan song..

So.. what battery to replace it with. I hit the search engines and came up with the odessy and info on those on here, but then a few posts said you cannot use an optimate with it.

Now my local tyre place (Buckley Tyres) can get a varta battery, which i believe can be charged/maintained with an optimate. I have an alarm on the bike so it does go flat if not used regularly.

So help please.. could someone in the know inform me what types of batteries can be used with an optimate and what the present recomendations are for a replacement for my 1150..??

Cheers

John

 

[wesleyjohn]

i'd see how much a standard battery is and replace it with that. last i saw price was about £50-70

 

[D6]

varta is an ok make, should be around 40 quid tops

 

[Lord Snooty]

As a matter of interest - why can't Optimates be used on Odyssey batteries

 

[Steve]

Mine recently packed up after 7 years - same symptoms as yours on the optimate some of the time, other times it showed fully-charged.

Just replaced it with a like-for-like for £48 from my local bike shop.

 

[Neil W]

I have an Odyssey battery on my 1150 which has now been on for over 5 years, when I got it my Optimate would not charge it properly. the recommended charger is a deltran one which i bought and have had no problems with.
Yet the Optimate is fine with other wet and dry cell batteries.
One dealer said it was something to do with the optimate not being man enough for the job yet I've used it fine on light commercial batteries as well as bike ones ?

 

[davegs]

Batteries

I've got a bmw gel type on my 1150, first one lasted sixmonths but second has been good, thought it had gone after it had been in transit for about 7weeks but seems to have recovered. My optimat somtimes says "weak" when nolt been used for a few days but always starts on the button so I would not take too much notice of what the charger says, possibly this 'cos it's a gel type but his has now been on since October 2004 since the first one was replaced and still going strong (I hope).
dave gs.

 

[rocks]

Info..

I read that optimates won't work on some batteries, because of their type, as they blow them up apparently. Tarka I believe was the author of the post and I will freely admit he has a far greater knowledge of these things than I, hence my post.

I am hoping to get the new battery sort asap, so i can take the Bike to the BSB at Oulton. The varta I have been offered I believe is £51 or so fitted.

I was hoping that someone could tell me if they were a good battery and if they will take the optimate.
I will enquire with blue bell on the BMW replacement cost and see what that is to compare.

 

[BikerBob]

Do a search over on www.boxertrix.com plenty of info on there about batteries. Though dearer I think the view is that the Odessey battery is the best bet particularly if you'll be hanging onto the bike for a while.

There is a guy on the Forum that can potentially get them a bit cheaper if you enquire nicely

Again I think you'll find you can use an Optimate with Odessey batteries you just need to unplug and re-plug it back in now and again.

Pays your money and takes your choice.

Regards Bob

 

[bisbee]

Just had to replace my oem lead acid at six years old due to "abs faults" light problems ie low battery voltage the choice was a new gel type at over a £100 or a sealed lead acid for £50 so fifty quid did it then easy really

 

[Steptoe]

I
I will enquire with blue bell on the BMW replacement cost and see what that is to compare.

Don't just go by the price. BMW gel battery comes with a two year guarantee, but you'll get far far longer than that out of it. So it works out cheaper in the long run
The odessey batteries aren't all they "cracked" up to be. I've got two used ones here where the owners have have gone back to BMW originals.

if you do go for an odessey ask Les Wassell, he'll put you onto someone for a good price

 

[rocks]

Gel..

Cheers Steptoe..
Apparently, according to somene in the know, who for legal reasons I won't mention by name, but apparently the small print at the end of the optimate instructions states if you leave them on constantly, you are supposed to check the acid levels very regularly.

So the advice was to get a 7 day timer and have the optimate set to come on for 8 or so hours or longer once every severn day or so.. to avoid the levels dropping too quickly.

So I think I might try one of these timers and see..

New BMW AGM Battery being source shortly too..