Flat battery!

[Pukmeister]

If you hold the bike on the rear footbrake only when stationary, the Servo pump will stop after a few seconds and then give a small pulse every few minutes to check/rebuild pressure.

Don't keep the front brake lever pulled when waiting at the lights etc as the Servo pump will run continuously and cause excessive load on the charging circuit whilst at idle.

Things you learn by riding it..... didn't find any of that in the users manual.

Once again, I wholeheartedly recommend the Hawker Odyssey (AGM cell) battery and CTEK Multi XS3600 charger, both available at Motorworks for a decent price and it solves all your battery problems.

 

[HMR]

If you hold the bike on the rear footbrake only when stationary, the Servo pump will stop after a few seconds and then give a small pulse every few minutes to check/rebuild pressure.

Interesting! I didn't know that. I'll start using the footbrake when holding the bike in a hill.

 

[ianm00]

If you hold the bike on the rear footbrake only when stationary, the Servo pump will stop after a few seconds and then give a small pulse every few minutes to check/rebuild pressure.

Don't keep the front brake lever pulled when waiting at the lights etc as the Servo pump will run continuously and cause excessive load on the charging circuit whilst at idle.

Things you learn by riding it..... didn't find any of that in the users manual.

Once again, I wholeheartedly recommend the Hawker Odyssey (AGM cell) battery and CTEK Multi XS3600 charger, both available at Motorworks for a decent price and it solves all your battery problems.

I always thought that this was an electronic fault! I quite often hold the bike on the back brake when stopped on a hill. Its very dis-concerting when the bike suddenly lunges backwards down the hill!

Thanks for this information I assume that using the back brake in this way should be ok and the brakes are not going to fail!

Ian

 

[Pukmeister]

I always thought that this was an electronic fault! I quite often hold the bike on the back brake when stopped on a hill. Its very dis-concerting when the bike suddenly lunges backwards down the hill!

Thanks for this information I assume that using the back brake in this way should be ok and the brakes are not going to fail!

Ian

Be sure to press down well on the back brake pedal, its a crap design as standard with a small surface and lots of travel without much effect (too much IMHO). I can really recommend a rear brake pedal enlarger, it makes a world of difference underfoot especially with touring/enduro boots and when riding offroad.

FWIW mine has never lurched backwards under the footbrake but then I do have a pedal enlarger fitted and keep the pedal well pressed.

 

[GSmonkey]

Yep - my 04 model used to lurch back when holding it on a hill on the back brake. Didn't realise it was a "design feature" though.

 

[simonbarnes]

Went out for a ride today and the instrumentation started playing silly b's. Called in to my local dealer and they diagnosed a battery problem and replaced it under warranty. I have been advised to use the Optimate to keep the battery fully charged at all times, rather than occasional use to re -charge it. Will now connect Optimate to a timer switch so that it works a few hours each night. Thanks to all of you for your responses and to Jefferies for excellent customer care.

Exactly the same happened to my 06 GSA. Normally leave it on Optimate but left it off for 6 days last week.

Tried starting it--flat as a witch's t*t. Got it started ok with a boost pack, rode 200 miles to Brighton. Following morning bike only just cranked over. Rode it back 200 miles home with cautious use of heated grips.
Left it on Optimate for 24 hrs. Still only cranking over weakly. Took it to dealer and they said I should use a special BMW charger.--that'll be £60 please.

Getting a bit miffed about all this. NEw charger coming up with error so still no wheels.

Going back to dealer this week to try and resolve this.

Bit hacked off that £10K worth of brand new bike won't start after a week. (when my old Super Tenere lasted weeks between starting).

There is no alarm fitted and no fancy electrics.


http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/A/AE_absorbed_glass_mat.html

will let you know outcome

 

[gavin@iow]

Exactly the same happened to my 06 GSA. Normally leave it on Optimate but left it off for 6 days last week.

Tried starting it--flat as a witch's t*t. Got it started ok with a boost pack, rode 200 miles to Brighton. Following morning bike only just cranked over. Rode it back 200 miles home with cautious use of heated grips.
Left it on Optimate for 24 hrs. Still only cranking over weakly. Took it to dealer and they said I should use a special BMW charger.--that'll be £60 please.

Getting a bit miffed about all this. NEw charger coming up with error so still no wheels.

Going back to dealer this week to try and resolve this.

Bit hacked off that £10K worth of brand new bike won't start after a week. (when my old Super Tenere lasted weeks between starting).

There is no alarm fitted and no fancy electrics.


http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/A/AE_absorbed_glass_mat.html

will let you know outcome

You're not using the Optimate through the bikes power socket, are you?

 

[Hector]

'05. 24,000 mls. BMW charger used. No problems !

 

[Wapping]

You're not using the Optimate through the bikes power socket, are you?

As I believe this post points out, an Optimate will not work when connected to the battery of a 1200GS / GSA via the bog standard auxiliary power socket(s). An Optimate will, however, work 100% if you connect it directly to the battery, either via crock clips or using a flying lead (both of which come with a bog standard Optimate) or you can wire in a dedicated socket which, as it is wired directly to the battery, will be permanently live.

The reason why an Optimate via the bog standard auxiliary socket(s) doesn’t work? The auxiliary power socket(s) is / are linked to the bike’s canbus system. The system shuts down after about 20 seconds, so there is no circuit. No circuit results in no ability to charge the battery.

If anyone wants to use the bog standard BumW auxiliary power socket(s) as the access to the battery they will have to use a BumW charger. This device tricks the canbus system to staying open, so the charger works.

Despite the above my 1200GSA refused to recognise the BumW charger, when I plugged it in. It certainly was not a fault with charger as I tried it on my plain ordinary 1200GS, where it worked fine. Back to BumW the bike and charger went (it was a brand new bike) who found a fault in the bike's electrical system, which I can only assume must have been there from the factory. In simple terms, the canbus was still shutting down. Whatever it was they did to rectify the problem I have no idea and do not much care. It now works 100%.

I leave both bikes attached 24/7 to their chargers. It cannot do any harm and the batteries have been fine. Similarly, my track bike sits on its Optimate 24/7 and it too is fine.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Don't keep the front brake lever pulled when waiting at the lights etc as the Servo pump will run continuously and cause excessive load on the charging circuit whilst at idle.

.

Whilst what you say makes sense, I only ever use my front brake lever to hold the bike at the lights and have yet to have any issues with battery/charging (there I go tempting fate ).

Andres

 

[marcus]

mine's going in to the workshop tomorrow to get sorted out....battery not charging at all now.....left overnight on optimate bur still won't fire up!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Exactly the same happened to my 06 GSA. Normally leave it on Optimate but left it off for 6 days last week.



Getting a bit miffed about all this. NEw charger coming up with error so still no wheels.

Going back to dealer this week to try and resolve this.

FWIW Simon I'd press for your money back on the ridicuously over priced heap of sh1te that is the BMW charger as an Optimate is fine for the GS (NB Wappings post about not using aux. socket). Sounds like a new battery is needed and NOT a new charger so Piddys have misdiagnosed the problem and should refund you.

HTH
Andres

 

[simonbarnes]

You're not using the Optimate through the bikes power socket, are you?

Nope. Directly to battery

 

[marcus]

Diagnosis:
Knackered battery, replaced under warranty.
checked software for updates at same time

Called garage wednesday
booked in thursday am
finished thurs pm
picked up fri am

I think that (especially given time of year) that's a pretty good effort from Bats.

 

[Pukmeister]

How old was the faulty bike/battery Marcus ??

 

[marcus]

bike is 1 year old, about 7k on the clock, no additional electrical drain - however lots of short stop/start journeys.

I've bought a HD battery (ages ago) as was planning to add lights, GPS etc.....

TEmping to see if the replacement battery fecks up too

 

[Gros Buck]

Installing an Odyssey PC535 on a 1200GS

Had to call BMW breakdown today as bike wouldn't start. Last used it about eight days ago, when Optimate reading said battery was fully charged. Top marks to BMW Mondial - here in 45 mins - and bike started with booster charge. Took it for an hours' run and all OK, but now need to find out why battery will not hold charge for a week. Bike is an '05 1200 GS and has done 7.5k miles. Will report back when I find the problem. Anyone had a similar experience though?

Read this: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184694 Find the thread #143 (see top right corner) I have posted detailed installation instructions with pictures ...

 

[Phallix]

I've had 3 1200's now and none of them have suffered flat batteries, I don't use an optimate, and the bikes are left out in the cold and damp every night.

Shep

Looks like you've got a rouge-bike there

Phil

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Pourquoi?

"Looks like you've got a rouge-bike there " Ou peut-être jaune, noire, argente ?
Only kidding but a good excuse to brush up your French for the summer.

 

[Dave Cr]

flat battery

Merci pour votre reponse Brian. Nous sommes getting tres academique avec le forum maintenant, n'est ce pas?