Batteries, chargers and replacements

Anyone know how to remove battery on 800?

Hi Guys.

Does anyone know how to remove the lower black plastic trim that contains the ignition switch? We have taken off the upper trim but to renew the battery we need to remove the lower plastic trim (also black) and it is not immediately obvious how to disconnect it? I have a long journey to do tomorrow so need to replace the battery so the bike starts when I get back. Time flies I didn't realise I'd had this one for 2 years and it's done very well.

Thanks in anticipation, as ever!
Catherine.
 
PS flat as a pancake

A bit annoyed with myself for not charging when i noticed it struggling to start the other day as I only did a short journey with several stops and starts.
Oops.
 
Er, the only trim I know of is the bit 'attached' to the main yellow part. Teo screws either side of the headstock?

Can you post a pic of the part?
 
Maybe will look again

Thanks Dave,
Think so, we were looking in the dark, and also struggled to see the clip to get the socket out. It's snowing like mad again now, so maybe better we didn't go for a ride out after all.
Catherine.
 
Happen to be in germany this week

Yes the battery is out, the terminals were corroded so we think the battery wasn't charging as it should have been. On charge now and taking a while. Once I get it charged I'll take it to the shop to see whether they have a suitable battery tomorrow, time it had a new one anyhow.
Thanks guys.
Will post up actual dates soon for rides in our local Alps …
Catherine.
 
Battery for F800GS

Hi there,

Can anyone recommend a high quality replacement battery and supplier? Bosch...?

Mine seems to have failed - after just 2 years. I called BMW Battersea and they said typically life is 3-4 years and that I shouldnt be surprised mine has lasted only 2 if I'm running aux lights and a GPS. Is this bollocks?

They also said knackered battery will fall outside warranty because of the TT aux light mods. Warranty expires in two weeks so will ask for a full diagnosis to make sure no battery charging issues. This is supposed to be an adventure bike with the electrics to cope with reasonable mods...

BTW the way, I had first instance of mysterious stall on acceleration in second the other week. I'm pretty sure revs were high enough. Left me coasting around Vauxhall one-way system in London rush hour for a few seconds until I realised what happened...

Also - can anyone recommend another BMW-experienced workshop in South London for repairs/servicing that is cheaper than Battersea?

Cheers

The Rabbit
 
I guess the aux lights and GPS is irrelevant unless you only perform very short trips, or you have a habit of leaving the lights on without the engine running for long periods.

Strangely my wife’s (rin_sun) 800GS is just 2 years old and last week the battery failed. She has no aux lights or GPS. She only ever does long journeys and the bike is never standing unused for more than 10 days. She has no alarm fitted (which could drain the power) and in the winter an Optimate is used to keep it fully charged.

Battery technology seems to be producing a product with a shorter life expectancy and with the alarming trend that the failures are catastrophic. :rob I remember the good old days when your battery started to fail and the lights would dim until you revved the engine, we used to drain out the acid, wash out the lead sulphate precipitate and refill with new sulphuric acid. The battery was then good for another year. Modern stuff seems to be working well one day (no dim lights etc) and the next day there is a complete failure.
 
I have not had a problem with my battery, yet anyway, but regarding Battersea BMW, they not the most helpful or friendly bunch when I’ve popped in there. I would recommend South London BMW which is now Vines in Caterham, South of Croydon. Chat to Vincent on the parts side. He always seems helpful. Good luck. There web site for reference is; http://www.vinessouthlondonmotorrad.co.uk/
 
I`ve got a spare standard battery (exide) that came off a written off 800, seems to be a good un, have kept it topped up with a CTEK conditioner, trouble is I`m in the wilds of Norfolk and it would probably not be wise to post it!
 
TheRabbit said:
Hi there,

Can anyone recommend a high quality replacement battery and supplier? Bosch...?

Mine seems to have failed - after just 2 years. I called BMW Battersea and they said typically life is 3-4 years and that I shouldnt be surprised mine has lasted only 2 if I'm running aux lights and a GPS. Is this bollocks?

They also said knackered battery will fall outside warranty because of the TT aux light mods. Warranty expires in two weeks so will ask for a full diagnosis to make sure no battery charging issues. This is supposed to be an adventure bike with the electrics to cope with reasonable mods...


The Rabbit
Click to expand...

My battery is naff also had to recharge it twice already now, it lives plugged into the bmw trickle charges and I have zero confidence in it

I have searched high and low for a aftermarket heavy duty battery but no joy, so picking up same again the AGM battery, 12v, 14 ah EXT14-BS from my local dealership. £95.. including the VAT. (slightly cheaper than motorworks and a nice ride out to pick it up!

Maybe theres some duff ones about as its a sealed unit :nenau either that or my canbus milk is leaking :blast


GunZenBomZ said:
On a side-note; What oil should the F800GS have? 10/40??

:augie
Click to expand...

Same as the F650GS :thumb

:rolleyes:

green top :D
 
When the original battery failed after 5yrs on my Triumph Trophy I had 3 cheapo batteries in 2mths!!

So got my money back and bought a Varta which came with a 2yr g/tee, when I traded it 18mths later for the 800GS it was still perfect!! (Many house alarm systems have a Varta as a back-up battery).
 
It's fairly obvious from (numerous) other threads, that this bike was built down to a price. There's no reason to think that the battery would be any different.

However it is a trait of modern batteries that they 'give their all' until they fail. Modern batteries have far more to put up with than batteries of old.

If the battery needs replacing, then get a quality replacement. Or, if you don't plan on keeping the bike longer than 2 years, get the cheapest battery you can.
 
thanks guys for all the advice and offers - this is a such a great forum!

sounds like i shouldnt be unduly miffed

nippy norman has offered me a discount on a battery he's begun testing as a robust replacement product so i may go for that one. and i'll have a search around for some alternatives and report back if i can be useful

:thumb2
 
v8legend said:
It's fairly obvious from (numerous) other threads, that this bike was built down to a price. There's no reason to think that the battery would be any different.

However it is a trait of modern batteries that they 'give their all' until they fail. Modern batteries have far more to put up with than batteries of old.

If the battery needs replacing, then get a quality replacement. Or, if you don't plan on keeping the bike longer than 2 years, get the cheapest battery you can.
Click to expand...
:thumb2 the standard battery should be good standard described as military grade, Absorbent glass mat, non spill sealed units.

have you seen the alternators on the 11-1200's ive seen smaller ones in - cars:eek: them things can power a small village:D

TheRabbit said:
nippy norman has offered me a discount on a battery he's begun testing as a robust replacement product so i may go for that one. and i'll have a search around for some alternatives and report back if i can be useful

:thumb2
Click to expand...

thats good news Rabbit :clap thanks. I have also spoken to N/N and they confirm they have a batch of batteries I beleive to be Oddeysey from the U S of A giving 3 times the cold crank over the standard. I have signed up to be a tester aparantly its just the terminal fitting they are not sure of (althogh state is intended for the F650GS/F800GS). was offered as you mentioned discounted rate = same as bmw standard cost.(ariving friday)

I will post here on the out come!

Cuprinol Man said:
Will this make it last any longer?
Click to expand...

well I see my trickle charger as the batteries life support, take it off and it dies. (no problem whilst riding I shouls add, its just the sitting in the garage waiting to go maybe I should get out more :thumb2) All I can say is my standard battery drains itself of its power at this stage im hoping that it is just a Dud/naff battery.

or I realy have got a canbus fluid leek :blast :nenau
 
this is interesting indeed. my battery only gave me jip when I was running a host of things off it in the winter. i took the aux lights off and that helped. no probs for several months now. last week it started having a major service in preparation for mongolia this summer. i unplugged the autocom, playstation, aux power socket etc from the battery terminals. it then sat there for a few days. reconnected everything up, and the battery was goosed. i jumped it and took it for a run and wasn't happy with how it was running - as mentioned above, stalling in 1st/2nd gear as i'm slowing down. i take it this is battery related? hopefully it'll hold charge overnight and allow me to blast to the HU gathering in Enniskillen. if not, i'll have to order a new one...which is the last thing i want to spend some of my last months salary on prior to a big trip! :(
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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