Flat Battery After Six Weeks?

[Graham G]

Had the 1200GS six weeks - used it everyday since then to go to work (15 miles each way). Over those six weeks I've done some longer runs.

Came to go to work yesterday morning, hit the starter and the engine started. Put it into first gear and it stopped. Yes, this tosser had left the side stand down! Side stand up - into neutral - restart. A big clunky-click.

Turns out the battery was flat. I took it out and put it on a charger for 6 hours. This morning everything seems fine.

OK, long-winded way of saying "Would it be reasonable for a battery on a bike six weeks old to have a completely flat battery? Isn't 30 miles a-day enough to stick some charge back in the battery? Admittedly, I've had those handy-warmers on a bit in these six weeks!"

I'm hoping that it's simply too much drain and not enough charge rather than something up with the alternator?

Any advice (apart from 'You Tosser! )?

Thanks in advance,
Graham G

 

[Engineer]

Had the 1200GS six weeks - used it everyday since then to go to work (15 miles each way). Over those six weeks I've done some longer runs.

Came to go to work yesterday morning, hit the starter and the engine started. Put it into first gear and it stopped. Yes, this tosser had left the side stand down! Side stand up - into neutral - restart. A big clunky-click.

Turns out the battery was flat. I took it out and put it on a charger for 6 hours. This morning everything seems fine.

OK, long-winded way of saying "Would it be reasonable for a battery on a bike six weeks old to have a completely flat battery? Isn't 30 miles a-day enough to stick some charge back in the battery? Admittedly, I've had those handy-warmers on a bit in these six weeks!"

I'm hoping that it's simply too much drain and not enough charge rather than something up with the alternator?

Any advice (apart from 'You Tosser! )?

Thanks in advance,
Graham G

Does not seem reasonable to me - my 2005 GS batttery has never gone flat even during a 24 mile daily commute for most of last summer.

 

[NeilG]

Six weeks - you've done well.......!

My first flat battery came when the bike was less than a month old. Used solidly for two and a half weeks; left in a dry lock-up with everything off for a week - during which time the battery drained itself. That was August '04, now on third battery in 11,000 miles.

 

[marcus]

Q for the dealer that sold you the bike:

Was the battery fully charged to start with?



My 04 GS was a nightmare for weak starting, especially in cold weather and when using the heated grips (er, like, whenelse?) it would often not re-start. Despite being used every day (15 mile journey each way) I had to have the AA and BMW assist on speed-dial because of this exact issue. Very unreliable, not happy.

However not a jot of trouble with the 06 bike from this standpoint - makes me think about original bike setup?


mechanical knowldedge low however so might be bollox
m

 

[Graham G]

Got the picture

Just 'searched' the site (useful!!!). Plenty on the battery discharge. I'm happy that the discharge could be one of a multitude of things (f**k!) from software, to cold a night, heated clothing, too much ABS, Sat Nav, Duff Battery...and the list goes on. An old bike with a kick start sounds interesting. But I like the 1200GS. Put the battery on charge for six hours and it started better than the day I got it. No slight dipping of the headlights, good response. Best advice on this site is the Optimate charging...oh, and the next software update.

 

[Dave284]

Just a thought..........

If my bike is a 2006 model, how would I know if the software update has been done?

Or, Has it come out of the factory already done?

 

[Greybeard]

I think the 2006 model should have already had the software update done but the dealer would be able to tell you.

I have a 2005 model (well I bought it in July 2005) and apparently it has had all updates according to my local dealer.

I use my 1200 GS for commuting ~ 10 miles round trip weekdays - some times more if I take the long way round... and my battery has only nearly failed once when it was really cold during the day earlier this month - it is parked outside work on the street. I got 'the clicks' - heart sank - but it started on the third attempt and I managed to get it home for a trickle charge.

Maybe get it checked out by your dealer?

 

[birdseye]

Just 'searched' the site (useful!!!). Plenty on the battery discharge. I'm happy that the discharge could be one of a multitude of things (f**k!) from software, to cold a night, heated clothing, too much ABS, Sat Nav, Duff Battery...and the list goes on. An old bike with a kick start sounds interesting. But I like the 1200GS. Put the battery on charge for six hours and it started better than the day I got it. No slight dipping of the headlights, good response. Best advice on this site is the Optimate charging...oh, and the next software update.

It seems pretty clear that the smaller battery on the 1200GS is marginal at best. There have been problems with the canbus not powering down and draining the battery under certain circumstances but allegedly the software update has cured this. If you then add into the mixture lots of high demand kit like heated jackets, grips and the brake servo you have the possibility of the bike's alternator not keeping up with demand and the battery not being man enough to bridge the gap. All of which will show up in winter with a bike thats parked up outside, thick oil, difficult to start!

There may well have been some faulty batteries but given that the maker is Yuasa I doubt many. I guess that replace batteries are being given out by dealers because there is nothing much else they can do / there is nothing else they understand how to do.

Doesnt really fit the go anywhere, do anything image that BMW are trying to foster, does it?

My 2004 bike has never shown this problem at all, but then its always garaged and to be honest I have a leaning towards using the car when the temp gets below 5 degrees

 

[Graham G]

Making a bit more sense...

Thanks to Birdseye, Greybeard, and Dave 284. You've made things a little clearer for me and confirmed some of my own questions.

I have to admit that this "ride-by-wire" technology has some very variable results. The fact that the battery may drain or stay OK depending on a whole list of potential variables and permutations is worrying. I agree with you Birdseye - all this doesn't fit the "do anything, go anywhere" image of the bike. It should be "do anything, go anywhere...so long as it's warm and you don't have ABS, heated grips and anything else that draws to many amps!"

...ah, hah! I get it now - the GSA is obviously the Winter version and I bought the Summer one. Duuuuhhhh!

I'll give it a few more months, wait till the 6K service is due. I'll ask about the software update. If I'm not happy with the bike, it may be adieu!

 

[GSmonkey]

I do a 30mile commute every day, with grips on full. It gets a maintenance charge every other weekend in the winter, or if left for more than 1wk at any time. Using this method, I've not had a problem with the battery.

As for the do anything, go anywhere" image - that's what it is, an image. Just like the Fireblade isn't a GP bike and Hayabusa won't get you a land speed record. Still, image sells.

 

[Graham G]

GS Monkey

For me it's just getting used to a good bike. Your suggestion about a regular maintenance charge is something I'll do during the winter from now on. Already got my Optimate leads attached to the battery!

The bottom line is that I love the bike - the time I spend in the garage putting on crash bars, cylinder head protectors and learning more about the bike is testament to my liking for it. It's just a part of me is just trying to understand the 'characteristics' of the bike and finding a good way of working with these.

If I sound negative then it's just a bit of steam blowing. The one thing I will say about this site is that it does contain a lot of 'woe' stories and the hysteria becomes infectitious. Perhaps a few for 'wow' stories.

I like the bike. Period.

 

[birdseye]

Graham - we've had the "wow" stories. Everyone of us thinks much the same as you - brilliant bike with a few odd problems. People who moan endlessly then go off and buy another one. Just a pity really that the GS isnt built by Honda!

I suspect that the battery issue came about because of the weight reduction campaign - battery capacity is related to weight.