Help - New Battery or Something Else?

[Charlie]

Apologies to those more technical than I if this is a stupid plea for help but I am a complete Ludite. Haven 't been out on bike for about 6/7 weeks so decided to brush the cobwebs and take a spin. Alas, went to start it and all I got was a 'clicking' noise - no turnover. Have had one or two similar spells of idleness before and it has never been a problem. Battery is just over a year old (30/11/08). Do I just need to re-charge/replace battery or is it something more....?

 

[JPR]

Just charge it.













And see what happens!

 

[sss]

my money is on battery, if you charge it and still does not work then it is more than.

 

[TyreMark]

Sounds like a new battery is required - as still under warranty would get it recovered to dealer for checking/replacement

 

[h0wz3r]

Had exactly the same issue on my other bike, a Yamaha FZS600 Fazer. Definitely the battery I would say.

Before you charge it, check the voltage across the terminals as if it's too low it may have affected the battery's ability to hold charge. Apart from that simply charge it back up and off you go

 

[Stevie73]

Battery doesn't have enough charge. Mine did the same a couple of weeks ago. I should get a charger Anyway, turn off all aux things like sat nav, heated grips, spot lights, and jump start it from your car. Leave it running for 5 mins and it should be OK to start on its own next time.

Get a charger

 

[GSmonkey]

Don't worry your arse about it. Call assistance and get them to sort it. Chances are it'll need a new battery. Once they've gone flat like that they're normally fekked.

 

[Charlie]

Thanks folks. I've borrowed a charger so I'll give it a shot first and see what happens.

If I need a new battery, any suggestions as to make?

 

[Steve E]

Thanks folks. I've borrowed a charger so I'll give it a shot first and see what happens.

If I need a new battery, any suggestions as to make?

If your battery is less than 2 years old its covered under warranty so BMW will replace FOC. There is nothing wrong in fitting BMW batteries.

If you do not ride the bike frequently, or for a descent mileage either stick it on an optimate/accumate or disconnect. Leaving the battery connected and it will slowly dischrge. Frequent starting and stopping and riding only afew miles each time will discharge the battery as well. The old addage 'use it or lose it' applies to batteries wether they are fitted to motorcycles, cars or trains.

Steve

 

[mr badger]

Give ut a proper charge and a long run and it'll probably be fine.

My bike was unused for 5 weeks in the snow and, as it lives outside (and was buried up to the axles for 2 weeks) I expected the battery to be completely dead, especially with the amount of poor press the OEM batteries get on here.

To my surprise the battery managed to turn the bike over but needed a small boost from a booster pack to start. Madames F800 wizzed into life as though it had been charged yesterday.

60 miles later and mine's just fine, holding a proper voltage and showing loads of starting grunt. Madames back to the daily commute with no probs.

We usually expect to need new batteries about every 18 - 24 months with daily use, frosts and frequent short trips but both bikes looking fine for now. Luck of the draw?

 

[Greg Masters]

Does your bike have an alarm?



Greg

 

[Charlie]

Thanks

Gave it a good charge over weekend and then a 100 mile run. All seems to be okay.
By the way, Greg, yes it does have the alarm but ironically I didn't set it over the Christmas period.
Thanks for the advice everyone - now I've just to sort out the GPS problem...