2010 R1200RT Battery

[ymfb]

I think it’s time to replace the battery, it’s been flat a few times and for several reasons I’d like to order a new one before I take the old one out.

The existing Exide measures 180 x 75 x180 mm, the riders manual states 12 V, 19Ah, Gel.

Looking on line, dimensions seem to vary.

Next week I can take the old one out, but I’d like to pre-order if possible.

Can anyone recommend a company that’s ships ordinary batteries, the correct battery to order. I don’t want to pay £254, which I saw on one site.

Thanks

 

[Neil W]

Look at Tayna batteries website

 

[thomo57]

Motobatt are good, fitted a couple of these to several RT’s

 

[wessie]

I'd go with the Exide AGM 12-18 from this list
https://www.tayna.co.uk/motorcycle-batteries/types/51913/
18Ah and 250 CCA and under £60 delivered

They are decent batteries. Both of my BMWs had them fitted as replacements and were still on the bikes when they were sold.

 

[Neil W]

Motobatt are good, fitted a couple of these to several RT’s

Speak as you find 3 Motobatt batteries on 3 separate bikes ALL of which failed after 13 months , local suppliers no longer stock them !!!

 

[Santa-2512]

I've had mottobatts on all my GS, all have been faultless

I shall be fitting one to my wing when the current yuasa give up the ghost

 

[JJH]

It’s a fair bet that your battery is gone west. Just make sure nothing is draining it. JJH

 

[ymfb]

It’s a fair bet that your battery is gone west. Just make sure nothing is draining it. JJH

I’m fairly sure it’s an age thing, I’ve had the bike a couple of years and whilst it has some “aftermarket” wiring nothing’s changed recently.

It’s overdue an oil service based on time not mileage.

When it wouldn’t start on the button earlier I fired it up using the jump pack, then left it charging on the Noco 3500 charger. It was stuck on 25% even after 3 or 4 hours.

Today I’ve been out on it tutoring with several stops and restarts without issue.

After writing up today’s report and various other tasks I will disconnect it and put it back on to charge on the bench overnight.

I will almost certainly buy another battery as it’s a bit embarrassing if the tutors bike is unreliable.

 

[jefformston]

Speak as you find 3 Motobatt batteries on 3 separate bikes ALL of which failed after 13 months , local suppliers no longer stock them !!!

Agree, I had two Motobatt batteries fail on me at around the same length of time, 13 months. Exide every time now for me, they give plenty of notice when they are getting to end of life and last 7- 10 years on my 1150.

 

[Santa-2512]

Agree, I had two Motobatt batteries fail on me at around the same length of time, 13 months. Exide every time now for me, they give plenty of notice when they are getting to end of life and last 7- 10 years on my 1150.

There consumables, treat them as such

clearly you like to play the numbers , but be aware when it fails without warning ,and your stuck somewhere pretty remote it counts for jack

xx

 

[jefformston]

There consumables, treat them as such

clearly you like to play the numbers , but be aware when it fails without warning ,and your stuck somewhere pretty remote it counts for jack

xx

Where did I say I play the numbers?

The two Mototbatt failed without warning, one meaning a jump start from a power pack in Girvan. When the Exide battery fails it gives a warning with a sluggish turnover but starts the bike, happened in John O’Groats, and was replaced when I got home. The bike is on its 3rd in the 25 years I’ve had it, the first 2 last 7-8 years, the current one is 10 years old and just showing signs of getting weaker and will be replaced in the coming weeks.

 

[Santa-2512]

Running a batery for 7 - 8 years is playing the numbers

Clearly youve never had an early twincam or hexhead GS they make sluggish turn over into an artform

Battery or bike ?? how would you know? they all do that sir

This has just bee posted - no warning - battery failure

Thread 'Starting issue battery kaput?'

Sep 6, 2026

Done 1450 miles on trip so far, just outside Bosnia H and stop to check route and bike won't restart. Lights come on I push on off button but moment I hit starter switch a slight click from the starter and everything goes off. Kind chap on a moto had a jump starter on him and it fired up OK. Get to digs 30k on and it now starts again. I think its a knackered battery or on its way out? Everything else works fine and this is completely out of the blue. The only difference is its been 38 temp last two days on adriactic highway? Any thoughts, new battery arriving tomorrow morning 0900...

• RJM123
• Replies: 18
• Forum: 1200/1250 GS Watercooled

• 

You may be just lucky and have supreme confidance i a battery / brand

For me Mottobat has served my needs relaibly on every GS ive ownded - every Yuasa has only lasted about 2 years

4-5 max years or the first non /slow start and its changed , and thats the max lifespan for a battery tbh

If your happy with 7-8 years crack on

 

[Neil W]

I still have a Odyssey battery (bought 2004 ) that I had on my first r1150gs which I sold in 2011 , the battery was on my bike for probably 5 or 6 years and was only replaced because I was given a brand new one .

It has been kept in the garage charged and used as a jumper battery for cars, bikes and a 7.5 ton Bedford TK horsebox , it was pressed into service for a while on my current r1150 but I didn't want to push my luck so fitted a new Odyssey

 

[jefformston]

Running a batery for 7 - 8 years is playing the numbers

Clearly youve never had an early twincam or hexhead GS they make sluggish turn over into an artform

Battery or bike ?? how would you know? they all do that sir

This has just bee posted - no warning - battery failure

Thread 'Starting issue battery kaput?'

Sep 6, 2026

Done 1450 miles on trip so far, just outside Bosnia H and stop to check route and bike won't restart. Lights come on I push on off button but moment I hit starter switch a slight click from the starter and everything goes off. Kind chap on a moto had a jump starter on him and it fired up OK. Get to digs 30k on and it now starts again. I think its a knackered battery or on its way out? Everything else works fine and this is completely out of the blue. The only difference is its been 38 temp last two days on adriactic highway? Any thoughts, new battery arriving tomorrow morning 0900...

• RJM123
• Replies: 18
• Forum: 1200/1250 GS Watercooled

• 

You may be just lucky and have supreme confidance i a battery / brand

For me Mottobat has served my needs relaibly on every GS ive ownded - every Yuasa has only lasted about 2 years

4-5 max years or the first non /slow start and its changed , and thats the max lifespan for a battery tbh

If your happy with 7-8 years crack on

2012 R1200GSA TC from new until 2021. Both Mottobat failures were on this bike. Funnily enough I still have the original Exide from the TC which while weak will take a charge and power a tyre inflator, where as the 2 Motobat’s failed totally.
The 2nd Exide was still working fine when I traded the bike.

The Op was asking about batteries, I just speak as found. Motorboat unreliable junk, Exide reliable and long lasting.

Pay your money take your choice.

 

[Santa-2512]

I still have a Odyssey battery (bought 2004 ) that I had on my first r1150gs which I sold in 2011 , the battery was on my bike for probably 5 or 6 years and was only replaced because I was given a brand new one .

It has been kept in the garage charged and used as a jumper battery for cars, bikes and a 7.5 ton Bedford TK horsebox , it was pressed into service for a while on my current r1150 but I didn't want to push my luck so fitted a new Odyssey

Haven't they shot up in price,

I had on on my LC, thought i would stick on one the TC,

Eeks , i fitted a mottobatt

 

[ymfb]

I ordered a replacement battery from Tanya, aka Automotion Factors Ltd.

It’s not gone smoothly, the battery was shipped using DPD, it arrived 24 hours later than scheduled. It was damaged, probably in transit, as the outer cardboard box had a dent that coincided with a significant marking on th3 battery itself. Also the corresponding cell is dry.

Tanya quickly shipped a replacement using DPD, the outer box is dented in the same way. The second battery is ok.

Despite Tanya quickly responding, I won’t be using them again. DPD are a shower of faeces but most know that, generally we have no control over online suppliers. I have informed Tanya that the battery has been received and is ok, despite the packing box being damaged.

On the upside the bike is fixed and ready for action tomorrow.