Battery Failure

[locp10]

Proudly showing new bike to the father in law only to find the bleedin thing wouldn't start (300 mile on the clock !!!! --- 1 month old) It started first go after charging the battery for 20 minutes but 10 minutes later it was flat again !!

Very helpful fella from BMW arrived to check things out, and after various tests to make sure the canbus wiring wasn't drawing anything from the battery he proved it was knackered finally by sticking his jump start pack onto the battery, and again she fired up straight away. The battery was condemned by the technician and a new one is on order ------------- has anyone else had similar problems with the wonderful AGM batteries fitted as standard.

 

[Gros Buck]

Proudly showing new bike to the father in law only to find the bleedin thing wouldn't start (300 mile on the clock !!!! --- 1 month old) It started first go after charging the battery for 20 minutes but 10 minutes later it was flat again !!

Very helpful fella from BMW arrived to check things out, and after various tests to make sure the canbus wiring wasn't drawing anything from the battery he proved it was knackered finally by sticking his jump start pack onto the battery, and again she fired up straight away. The battery was condemned by the technician and a new one is on order ------------- has anyone else had similar problems with the wonderful AGM batteries fitted as standard.

What kind of bike ? I posted that here : http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184694

 

[gavin@iow]

------------- has anyone else had similar problems with the wonderful AGM batteries fitted as standard.

Early 1200GS's didn't have AGM batteries, mine's a 2004 with a Yuasa SLA battery, 2.5 years, 10,500 miles and still going!

 

[gavin@iow]

Early 1200GS's didn't have AGM batteries, mine's a 2004 with a Yuasa SLA battery, 2.5 years, 10,500 miles and still going!

Ooops! i got that wrong, it is an AGM, but commonly referred to as a VRLA type.

 

[John Gates]

First time battery failure

My '04 R1200GS did 20K miles without any battery problems at all. Not sure what type was fitted though. My new '56 R1200GS bought 1st Dec '06 and fitted with an AGM type, stood for 4 weeks over the Christmas period and the battery went completely flat. I haven't checked for any drain into the bike when switched off, that is the next thing if it lets me down again. I have seen lots of threads re permanent connection to Optimates when garaged. This should definitely not be needed and probably disguises a faulty battery which will let you down when you leave home on that trip you are planning for '07.
Overnight charge saw things restored to normal last weekend. I will try it again this weekend, here's hoping.

I am led to undertsand that these batteries need to be cycled several times before building up to their full charge capacity. However that shouldn't cause them to discharge, so if they are suspect faulty battery or bike.

 

[marcus]

My 1st 12GS suffered from flat batteries in cold weather all the time until fixed under warranty

My 2nd 12GS suffered from flat batteries in cold weather all the time until battery replaced under warranty

Sort of think they were put in the bikes without being checked for full charge or sumfink?

 

[Janie]

just leave ya bike on charge when u aint riding...........if it still keeps goin flat then perhaps a new battery is needed..............anyhow its nowt that can't be fixed...........so don't worry about it..........................janie

 

[cookie]

I have seen lots of threads re permanent connection to Optimates when garaged. This should definitely not be needed and probably disguises a faulty battery which will let you down when you leave home on that trip you are planning for '07.

at last, the voice of reason

 

[MATKAT]

Common Sense

at last, the voice of reason

Well said Cookie,
I have an 'o4 1200........Sometimes left for weeks without starting, sometimes left outside for days (its been outside since New year) ok so i know the battery will now fail but 23k miles and never ever a battery problem or a charger anywhere near. In fact even my airhead which can stand for months always starts
Mind you as the bike is now coming up to 3 years old I will be changing it for a Hawker soon
Somewhere someone said that leaving batteries ion trickle charge is the kiss of death

 

[JayGee]

at last, the voice of reason

Too true Cookie,
Of course an alarm can drain the battery over a few weeks as on any bike but if it's used every week or so it doesn't need all this charging hassle.

Best way to keep a good battery is just ride the bike regularly!

 

[cookie]

the bmw alarm switches off after 7 days or so according to the book.

mine turns the LED off after about 3 days, leaving the alarm active, dunno if it ever shuts down completely. not much of a saving on the LED

 

[ianm00]

the bmw alarm switches off after 7 days or so according to the book.

mine turns the LED off after about 3 days, leaving the alarm active, dunno if it ever shuts down completely. not much of a saving on the LED

Left my bike in the garage for 3 weeks over xmas with the alarm on. I know it was still on as it went off as I was moving the bike out of the garage after xmas to use.

Battery was also fine and bike started right away! My bike is R1200GS April 06 with 15400miles, Ive had it since new. Never had any battery problems and never use any charging device except bikes alternator when its running!

Ian

 

[locp10]

What kind of bike ? I posted that here : http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184694

r1200GS --- 1 month old

 

[Greybeard]

The battery was condemned by the technician and a new one is on order ------------- has anyone else had similar problems with the wonderful AGM batteries fitted as standard.

I thought my battery (July '05 1200 GS) was OK despite one time in March last year when it only just started (it was zero degrees C), but it failed in January this year even after being on BMW trickle charge over Christmas and New Year - my local dealer replaced it under warranty without a question. Fingers crossed...

 

[RickA]

Duff Battery

Hi Guys,

My HP2 has exactly the same problem ( as do most HP2's it seems ).

Have had 'software upgrade', new starter and battery replaced and it keeps on failing me, usually out on the trails, DURING a ride not just in the garage! Had to push it almost half a mile last Sunday to the nearest track with any grip to bump start the bloody thing.

Dealer has no ideas, just ordered a new "Hawker" battery as a last resort hoping it will cure the problem. The battery fitted as standard, on all 1200's it seems, is woefuly inadequate for the job in hand.

ps. Keep the bike on a new Optimate connected directly to the battery when not in use. For all the good it does.

Cheers, Rick.

 

[cookie]

The battery fitted as standard, on all 1200's it seems, is woefuly inadequate for the job in hand.

i think this is the root of the problem, marginal battery spec. it only has to degrade a bit & yer bollocksed.

ps. Keep the bike on a new Optimate connected directly to the battery when not in use. For all the good it does.

so, none then.