Hello and can you help? 1200GS ~ battery

[Gordyman]

HI Everyone. I am new to this group and have been reading the threads concerning batteries for the 1200GS.

True to form my technical prowess (complete lack of know how on forums) I tried to post the thread below but alas it ended up on page three of the forum. So I have reposted in the newbie part. I promise I will get better at navigating the forums etc. Still dont know how you start new threads tho!!

I have always used the BMW charger on my bike from new four years ago. My bike is garage kept and I have never had any starting probs. But this ended on Friday when I tried to start it to go to the BMF rally. Nothing. I tried jumping the bike but all I got was a rapid clicking noise the bike didnt turn over at all.

All I could get from the BMW trickle charger was a red light the battery condition lights were not showing anything at all. I have since put the battery on charge but the bike does absolutely nothing when I try to start it. All i have is a constant flashing of the ignition light even when the ignition keys are removed. I have tried deactivating the alarm but the light still flashes. I thought that if the battery was kaput then a jump would start the bike?

I am hoping that it is the battery but then if it is every site I go to I get conflicting recommendations about the best replacement. Any advice you can give me will be very appreciated. Thanks chaps n chapesses.
Gordyman

 

[davegs]

battery get an original bmw gel type 1200's bateries are small as poss to keep the weight down so would guess it's kaput.
dave GS

 

[nick]

4 years sounds above average life expectancy for a 1200 battery.

 

[Duchess]

HI Everyone. I am new to this group and have been reading the threads concerning batteries for the 1200GS.

True to form my technical prowess (complete lack of know how on forums) I tried to post the thread below but alas it ended up on page three of the forum. So I have reposted in the newbie part. I promise I will get better at navigating the forums etc. Still dont know how you start new threads tho!!

Thanks chaps n chapesses.
Gordyman

Hi Gordyman, Welcome to UKGSer.

I'll help you and move your thread over to the 1200 section where I think you'll get a good response to your query .... and BTW you did manage to start your own thread

 

[Slowdown]

Connect another battery (your cars???) to your bike. If the bike starts it's the battery. If it doesn't it's something else. If there's a loud bang/flash of light you had a short circuit somewhere. And now you've possibly got a fire and a big bill on your hands(and perhaps battery acid!).

If you really don't have a clue what I'm on about get someone who does to look at your bike. It'll be much cheaper in the long term.

Good luck!

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Battery is knakkered.

With a traditional bike, the only power you absolutely need is enough for a spark. This is easily acheived with pushing it (ye olde bikes didn't even have batteries).

However, the GS is an electronic beastie that needs lots of power just to start e.g. electric fuel pump, ECU etc etc etc.

 

[nedflanders]

Jump starting doesn't always work, 4 years is bloody good going, mine lasted less than 12months. Battery for definite

 

[pikeydave]

Put some water in it and charge it. Every one i've opened has been bone dry. Fuck sealed for life bollocks, everybody needs a drink now and then.
I'm indulging myself as it happens, a cheeky Chilean Cabinet Sauvington

 

[Zigo]

After almost 5 years, my battery gave up last week. Had to phone my wife to come and give me an electrical transfusion. The original battery was the "Exide" brand with the BMW logo. Called both the local BMW shop and the Exide distributor for a quote. Exide was 40% cheaper! The correct type for the GS is YTX14-BS, Capasity:12 Ah, type AGM. Be aware of that AGM is the preferred type of battery for start batteries, as pure GEL types dont handle fast charging too well.

 

[Tomcat]

It definitely sounds like the battery has died - it can happen quite suddenly. I had similar symptoms last year, but at that time i was still on the original 5 yr old battery. Buy a new one - I went for a Yuasa which I think came from Midland Batteries. They have a website, and also advertise on eBay. Oddly enough the price on eBay was cheaper than on their website.

I figured that if the original battery had lasted 5 years with only an occasional top up with an Optimate, there was no point in lashing out extra money on an Odyssey battery or similar. I think the Yuasa cost about £40, and it can be delivered by post. The acid comes in a special container, with full instructions on how to fill and charge.

Bump starting a GS with a duff battery is impossible - it seems that once the battery voltage has dropped below a critical level the electronics shut down the spark and fuel injector system.

 

[ChasMill]

I have a spare 1200 GS Battery you can have for a donation to "Help for Heroes"

It came off my 2004 bike when I replaced it with an Odyssey. It has sat on an Optimate for the past couple of years and has alway shown as "healthy"

If nothing else, it will tell you whether your current battery is shot or if it is something more sinister.

 

[Gordyman]

HI Chas sounds like a good idea. I live not far from you in Caslte Hedingham. Happy do donate to Help for Heroes as I organised the Firefighters car wash for our soldier mates on St Georges day. If ok with you I will come round over the weekend to collect? I will give you the donation if you prefer.
Thanks to everyone for their replies and advice and thanks to moderator for moderating.

 

[Gordyman]

Hi Chas can you let me know how I can contact you to sort meeting. I am hppy to pop round to your home address of if you prefer can meet you somewhere? Gordyman.

 

[ChasMill]

Been away in France - you have a PM

Charlie

 

[Gordyman]

HI Charlie good to meet you the other day. I have fitted battery and the bike started first time. thanks a lot for your help and I will be putting £20 into help for heroes this weekend. I still cant work out why the bike didn't start when I jumped it from car and also when I tried it from a special mains jump start thingy though.
Anyway cheers chap.
all the best Gordyman.