A battery/starting rant.sorry..

[Rod2240]

I'm new to the world of BMW so excuse me..
I bought a new GSA in September which I'm having a lot of fun with and looking forward to some long distance trips on it blah blah. However this morning I was rather dismayed, no I was raging, to find that the bike wouldn't start after sitting in the yard for 4-5 days of inactivity. The nice lady at Vines, as I suspected from reading the pages of this site, told me that if I've had the alarm on or even not ridden the bike for that length of time then its fair to say the battery will have run flat.
I had the usual battery problems/starting problems when I was riding BSA C15s/A10s, Bonnevilles, etc in the 60s and 70s, The famous Joe Lucas, Prince of Darkness springs to mind, maybe he's not dead just moved to Germany...!!
So I have to plug the bike into my optimate charger every time I'm not sure when I shall be venturing out again? Sounds like a giant step backwards to me..Where's the adventure there?
Do I have to take my charger with me on a trip just in case I fancy taking a few days off from bike riding??! I know, I shall have to buy a Hawker Odyssey, but really..

Sorry, but I was feeling very upset this morning...I'm a bit calmer now.

Rod

 

[Timolgra]

 

[cookie]

or even not ridden the bike for that length of time then its fair to say the battery will have run flat.

total cobblers, unless it or the bike are faulty.

 

[SMB]

I have a 2008 Sept GS with an alarm.
It can sit in the garage to 2 weeks + with the alarm set and still start first time. I would venture to suggest that sometime is not quite right. Back to Vines.

 

[mikepg]

Mine's sat in the garage for 2 months and still shows a full charge and started first time even at -2decC.

 

[The Bede]

... Sounds like a duff battery. Call Vines and insist on speaking to someone who knows about motorbikes.

... I don't use an alarm, but I'm always running with Autocom, sat-nav and at least an extra 100W of spotlights permanently switched on. I recently left my bike in store for 3 months, it started second push of the button, albeit ashmatically.

... My original OEM battery dropped dead within 6 weeks. Interestingly the BMW Customer service chappie, having confirmed my accessories were properly wired, fitted a new, fully charged battery from the boot of his car. "We always carry them ... and use them" quoth he

 

[Engineer]

On my original battery after 36,000 miles and its has never let me down - I reckon if you treat them right they will work just fine.

Never,ever needed a charger either.

 

[The Bede]

...





... Stalker

 

[Pukmeister]

Removed my perfectly working 2 year old battery and fitted a Hawker Odyssey 2 years ago. Prevention is better than cure. Stock battery kept fully charged in the garage in case of emergency.

Bike starts first time, every time, all weathers.

Got the factory alarm fitted. Think I have only used it once. Can't beat a decent chain and padlock.

 

[Gabby]

If it's turning slowly have your tried opening the throttle a little?

I had the same last week. Rang the BMW garage to order a new battery and the guy told me to try that...whey hey did I feel stuipd....it worked

Turns very slowly over but always starts this way when very cold.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Why did you ring Vines? If you done a search on here, you will find that they are not too helpful.

Just ring the number on the bit of plastic you got. A nice man in a 5 series estate will come along, test your battery. If it is broke then he will give you a new one. That's what I done before.

Why waste time with wasters.

That's why you paid the premium for a brand new bike. It comes with insurance that can sort this shit out. Sure it takes a couple of hours but its free otherwise!

 

[Fanum]

If you done a search on here,
blah blah That's what I done before.

Sorry, no idea what you're talking about....definitely not English...try again!!

(Tom......puhhleeasse!!)

Rod....get the battery exchanged and preferably upgraded (ask your dealer to fit something higher rated, they will already know all about how inadequate the 1200GSA OEM units are) and don't stress about it.

You have a choice....accept that the 1200 battery is pants and that it'll go back quite frequently to be changed, or change it (or negotiate a vhange) with your dealer.

Other than that, nice bike, enjoy.


PS check the....ah, never mind

 

[Slowdown]

I reckon if you treat them right they will work just fine.

Bingo! We have a winner

 

[Slowdown]

Why did you ring Vines? If you done a search on here, you will find that they are not too helpful.

Hello!

Satisfied Vines customer here........

Along with a battery that's just tickety boo.

 

[The Bede]

Rod....get the battery exchanged ...

....accept that the 1200 battery is pants and that it'll go back quite frequently to be changed,...

... I've had OEM batteries replaced on two 1200s. The common factor has been the factory unit ... reliably crap.

... If you've got a warranty bike call the customer service guys (the AA men in 5-Series), their replacement units have proved super reliable, though it's not hard to imagine they have the same part number






... Yeah I know, it beats the shit out of me too