This surprised me because the bike is less than a year old, with no alarm fitted or anything else to drain the power. I have an Autocom system fitted, but this is wired through an additional fusebox. The fusebox is powered by an on/off switch. That is, there is no power to the fusebox unless I switch it on, and that only happens when I use the autocom, which is rare. BMW service chappie who came out tested the battery and said that it showed "unserviceable" on his Bosch gizmo thing. Clarks have agreed to look at it tomorrow, but all in all, this is something I don't need before heading off to the continent on Saturday. I did a search on this forum, and though plenty have suffered in some way, no-one has had such a similar problem. Is there any doubt over the reliability of the batteries, or is my budding career as an autoelectrician over before it started?
Flat battery
- Thread starter Diamond Blade
- Start date
I'm afraid that this is not at all unusual. Both my 1200GS bikes came with batteries that were 'less than perfect.' The first was changed; the second I am making do with.Diamond Blade said:
Don't worry about it. If you're off this Saturday, demand a new battery - charge it & go. It will be fine.
If Clarks won't play, just buy a new battery anyway (they're not that expensive) leave yours on the counter, and tell them you'll take it up with BMW UK on your return.
Enjoy your trip.
You could always buy an uprated battery if you get no joy from BMW. The best ones are "Hawker Odyssey PC535". These are available in a kit to fit the R1200 series bikes from Wunderlich for about £130 plus, I got mine from Motorworks for £79 plus p&p in a GS kit (with longer retaining strap and instructions). Its a spillproof, totally dry cell (Absorbed Glass Mat) lead-acid battery with an estimated 10 year life and better cold cranking power and is more capable of full 'charge-discharge-charge' cycles than conventional lead-acid types.
Many thanks for the info guys. I'll see what Clarks have to say about it first, but so far they have been okay to deal with. It is reassuring to know that I aint the only one to suffer, however should we be accepting that. Another topic, another time. Thanks again.
Ken H.
Guest
There is a software upgrade to address the issue of the battery going flat under a certain set of ignition key maneuvers. Basically if you "bump" run after having turned to off, but don't let the system fully boot before turning the key back to off.
Be sure yours has had the upgrade it done.
Be sure yours has had the upgrade it done.
babu
Guest
K1200S
I'm currently driving a brand new K1200S because of a faulty battery/charging system on my GS. The battery goes flat in about a week, bike unused (yeah yeah, I know). Thing is; the bike is at the dealers for the second time, they haven't figured out what causes the flat battery. I kindly explained to them that this was their problem - not mine - and arranged for the manager to wake up with a dead horse in his bed. So they lent me the K1200S. Which is great btw. Diffrent but great.
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babu
I'm currently driving a brand new K1200S because of a faulty battery/charging system on my GS. The battery goes flat in about a week, bike unused (yeah yeah, I know). Thing is; the bike is at the dealers for the second time, they haven't figured out what causes the flat battery. I kindly explained to them that this was their problem - not mine - and arranged for the manager to wake up with a dead horse in his bed. So they lent me the K1200S. Which is great btw. Diffrent but great.
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babu
Blue Spider
Guest
The battery on my 3 month old 1200GS will go flat if I leave it standing for a week. I have done 3000 miles so far - I just don't use it during the week as people I visit don't expect me in bike gear 
and I can't afford to change jobs 
Anyway my optimiser shows my battery as "weak" How will BMW react when I take it in as I have an autocom I fitted myself (with patch box so it can be disconnected).
Is a "weak" battery an anti theft feature do you think? You couldn't nick mine after a week without a truck and hoist!
and I can't afford to change jobs Anyway my optimiser shows my battery as "weak" How will BMW react when I take it in as I have an autocom I fitted myself (with patch box so it can be disconnected).
Is a "weak" battery an anti theft feature do you think? You couldn't nick mine after a week without a truck and hoist!
I was surprised at the size of the spark on my GS as I connected the terminals to my new battery. All equipment was turned off including fogs, autocom, ignition, alarm etc. Something on the R1200GS model draws current with the bike shut down, obviously enough to flatten your battery in about a week !!
Shep
Shep of the Dessert
Pukmeister said:
I've not noticed a spark on mine
Is it possible a capacitor was charging up Shep
Mouse
Registered user
Indeed, a spark doesn't necessarily indicate a constant current draw, it could just be a startup surge.
My bike never had a problem with a flat battery, until about 14 months old when the battery started failing to hold charge. I think in a lot of these cases the battery rather than the bike is at fault. But of course there are the well documented software errors as well.
My bike never had a problem with a flat battery, until about 14 months old when the battery started failing to hold charge. I think in a lot of these cases the battery rather than the bike is at fault. But of course there are the well documented software errors as well.
For info of those following this, I took the bike to Clarks and they confirmed, a dying battery. Replaced on warranty, no problem.
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