F800 GS - new battery

[scubascuba3]

I haven't used my bike for a few months, just tried to start it and the battery is dead (I think), I'm not going to be able to charge it myself so I could either call the garage to come get it/fit a battery or I buy one and fit one. Fairly easy to do by someone who doesn't maintain bikes?

Any idea how much they cost? I'll check online in a min. I guess the other thing to do is call my recovery number, I need to check if there is a cost for this.

 

[WRCSixtyThree]

It'd be cheaper to buy a charger. You're going to have to take the seat off and disconnect the battery to change it, so you might as well buy a cheap charger and give it a go.

 

[scubascuba3]

It'd be cheaper to buy a charger. You're going to have to take the seat off and disconnect the battery to change it, so you might as well buy a cheap charger and give it a go.

What would you recommend? Halfords do one?

 

[Micky]

It'd be cheaper to buy a charger. You're going to have to take the seat off and disconnect the battery to change it, so you might as well buy a cheap charger and give it a go.

The battery isn't under the seat .... it's under the top 'tank' panel surrounding the ignition lock and stretching back to the front of the seat (where a tank bag would fit)

 

[WRCSixtyThree]

Ah yes, sorry; went straight into 1200GS mode without thinking!

 

[WRCSixtyThree]

What would you recommend? Halfords do one?

I think they do, actually; in the *small* motorcycle section in my local orange palace I'm sure I've seen one.

 

[scubascuba3]

A friend has got a 12v charger. I'll give that a shot. On eBay they were £12.99 but I'm trying to avoid having something I may only use once in 20 years.

 

[Micky]

A friend has got a 12v charger. I'll give that a shot. On eBay they were £12.99 but I'm trying to avoid having something I may only use once in 20 years.

£12.99 spread over twenty years is fuck all .... very very cheap

Oh .... you're Scottish

 

[scubascuba3]

£12.99 spread over twenty years is fuck all .... very very cheap

Oh .... you're Scottish

I'm English if you don't mind

Its not the money, I just don't want to store it. I'm trying to get rid of crap I don't need.

 

[Smythson]

If you're not using the bike for long periods then a charger may well be a worthwhile investment. If you don't use your bike for long periods it will deep discharge the battery which permanently reduces it's capacity (not sure which charger your friend has but hopefully it will have a meter on it indicating whether or not the battery is toast) So the cost of the charger and it being on over the periods when the bike is not in use will probably be cheaper than replacing the battery every year.

If it does come down to replacing the battery i would recommend Motobatt - i have a rarely used non-GS bike that i don't keep topped up and it always starts despite abuse. Stephen Stallbrass of this parish wrote a good thread which included reviews and research.

Safe travels,

S

 

[scubascuba3]

If you're not using the bike for long periods then a charger may well be a worthwhile investment. If you don't use your bike for long periods it will deep discharge the battery which permanently reduces it's capacity (not sure which charger your friend has but hopefully it will have a meter on it indicating whether or not the battery is toast) So the cost of the charger and it being on over the periods when the bike is not in use will probably be cheaper than replacing the battery every year.

If it does come down to replacing the battery i would recommend Motobatt - i have a rarely used non-GS bike that i don't keep topped up and it always starts despite abuse. Stephen Stallbrass of this parish wrote a good thread which included reviews and research.

Safe travels,

S

Good advice, thanks. I'm putting the bike up for sale so if I manage to sell it won't need one. We shall see.

 

[snappo]

I put a new battery on mine on Saturday, it's been failing for a while, I thought it was simply down to not being ridden as much, but the bike is nearly 5 years old now and was on the original battery, so time for a change. £35 from DK bikes, and a doodle to change, even for a hamfisted luddite such as myself..

 

[scubascuba3]

I put a new battery on mine on Saturday, it's been failing for a while, I thought it was simply down to not being ridden as much, but the bike is nearly 5 years old now and was on the original battery, so time for a change. £35 from DK bikes, and a doodle to change, even for a hamfisted luddite such as myself..

That's good. £35 isn't bad at all. Is it a particular type you ordered? Or did you just ask for a replacement for the G800GS?

 

[snappo]

That's good. £35 isn't bad at all. Is it a particular type you ordered? Or did you just ask for a replacement for the G800GS?

Yep, just told him the bike model at the counter, and he gave me the relevant one. It's a gel filled, couldn't tell you the brand with a gun to my head, but if you're in no hurry, when I get home from Scotland next week I'll whip the plastics off and have a look for you. My original had been on a trickle charger for 12 hours just a couple of days before, I was hoping it would just be a 'lack of use, charging' issue, but it didn't want to play ball just 2 mornings later. It now fires instantly, starts like a champ!