F650 battery replacement problems

[MEB]

Hi guys

For the two weeks I've been trying to replace my battery that's dying after just one/two day's use. So far I'm taking it out in the evening, charging and then putting back in the following day.

Reason for the post is that I ordered a Motobatt replacement from M&P, waited 3 days & it didn't fit. I'm not going to rant about them not wanting to take it back, I'll save that for another rant/post (I'm still trying to send it back now.)
It didn't fit because the bike uses a bracket to keep the battery in place, which is also used to secure wiring (battery needs a cut out at top). I could have done some modding by chopping things off and introducing spacers etc but I deemed that OTT for a battery that should just fit.

I've since spent ages looking on battery sites/bike sites that sell batteries and cannot find a decent 'ready to go' battery that will just plug and play. I'm also dubious about buying another online in case it doesn't fit & I have to go through this messing about of trying to send it back again. I've approached BMW and they only sell the original for a whopping £107 (with my discount, of course).

...has anyone else had the same problem of replacing the battery? or any suggestions of which battery I should go for?

Thanks in advance,

Max

 

[JJH]

I think that u are sabost to compromise and jig things around to make them fit. They have a good reputation. So do M&P. If it's the correct fitment why would they take it back. JJH

 

[plex]

I have an F650GS twin & I bought & fitted a motobatt & yes I had to cut a piece of the clamp & I think I also had to use longer bolts but nothing to drastic. There is a bit that sticks down I just removed that so in future I should not have any problems fitting future batteries. I might be wrong but clamp is probably designed in this way so that you are forced to use BMW battery pay there price I have similar issue in that I need a new front disc for the F650GS & BMW want £180 + VAT for a solid disc its not even a floating disc its just a piece of laser cut stainless so why so expensive, also its only 5mm thick & limit is 4mm so not a lot of wear before it needs replaced. By the way mileage is only 22000 so did not expect this so busy looking online for an alternative & getting prices of £95 solid or £120 floating & pads only £20 BMW must use gold as Pads are more than double. Anyway rant over, if I were you I would modify clamp as at the end of the day you dont see it & will still do the same job, as I said I only had to take of the bit that sticks down.
Hope this helps you make up your mind

 

[MEB]

Thanks for the responses. I didn't want to start modding & cutting things away for one battery, especially when you look at some of the other batteries out there and the pic shows them to (apparently) be the right shape - it will mean I'm pretty much stuck with Motobatt.

@plex I agree with what you say about BMW making it so you can only fit theirs- they do this on a lot of things. Motorworks is usually very competitive for braking stuff. I think I paid around £100 for my front disc & personally I prefer to buy from independent shops over the big chains. ...I'm supposed to be taking the battery to a collection point today but you've defiantly given me food for thought.

@JJH Thanks for the constructive advice. By this definition of thinking any supplier could sell you pretty much anything if 'fits xxx' means 'almost fits but requires you to start cutting things off your bike' How much are they paying you? Please read post thoroughly before replying

 

[JJH]

I did read your post. Motobatt make a few battery's and if you want to use their excellent battery on your machine you have to make modifications. How much are they paying me? Who? M&P or motobatt I can assure you nobody is paying me and if they were it wouldn't be enough. You orderd a motobatt from M&P and they sent you one. To use one on the 1200 you also have to make modifications. Sensible people know this and just do it. If someone who knows what's what was buying a second hand machine and seen a sensible modification like that they would see that as a positive thing. Now if you want someone to "read post thoroughly before replying" and mabey do some research before replying mabey YOU should be paying me? Or if YOU did some research yourself you would not be in this position. Mabey YOU should read things thourley before YOU buy stuff and while you are at it read thourley the returns policy of the vendors you are inflicting your business on. You got some good free advice from me and others. Go and pay for some and see the answers. JJH ps read this thourley

 

[Antiquebiker]

Hi Mate
Ordered on of these for my 2008 F650GS. Slotted straight in, no mods needed.
If you check the link all the dimensions are on there, you can compare these with your original battery.
Price £42.47 delivered, arrived in 4 days.
Hope this helps.
http://www.ribblesdaleauto.co.uk/pr...ycle-battery-12v-cbtx14-bs-ctx14-bs-ytx14-bs/

 

[MEB]

Thanks Antiquebiker & Plex for the constructive advice. I've since fitted that battery and all is working well.

@JJH All i can say is... PMSL! What a response. How long did it take you to type that? don't take these things so personally- I bet you got rattled judging by your CAPITAL LETTERS and mabey some spelling mistakes. But all joking and hurt personal feelings aside, I appreciate your comments too. Forums would just not be the same without their friendly neighbourhood troll

MEB

 

[JJH]

4 hours and I can't spell. Hope all is well. JJH

 

[Ash]

Fitted a Numax YTX14 BS - £32 from Tanya- Batteries via eBay
Ordered 3.20pm yesterday delivered 1.00pm today...
Used these batteries b4 always as good as gold