New battery time?

[MarkMRT]

Hi all, new member here!

Recently bought a 21 R1250RT with the big TFT and stealth S5 tracker installed. After a decent run bringing the bike home it sat for a week in the garage with no tender then had problems starting up. I've since had some more runs after charging the battery and it starts fine so I'm thinking the starter is good but the battery is getting weak and needs changed.

And now the questions - I'm looking at a Yuasa TX14, £58 delivered from Sports bike shop. Is there any particular reason to go for a different type, or squeeze in a higher capacity battery? And should I remove the S5 to lower drain?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Get the BMW battery charger and leave it on when not in use . It’s like a CTEK one . Original battery type should be fine .Im on an RT 1250 at the moment in the USA and it’s a fine bike

 

[wessie]

the tracker seems to be a 4 year old Datatool product. Bin it, they are shit like anything that company produces. Your battery woes will probably go.

 

[littleade]

The problem is probably that datatool tracker. I had one on my 2020 GS and the Optimate had to top the battery up far more often than my previous GS', until I disconnected it at the end of my subscription when normal service was resumed. I asked the dealer if he wanted me to reconnect it, which he declined saying they had no end of hassle swapping chargers on bikes in their showroom round to keep the batteries topped up.

 

[GSite]

Depends if you value the tracker being in place, if not remove or deactivate it.
Had the same issue on my R9T, removed the S5 with no further battery issues.
If the tracker is out of subscription, battery drain will increase as it is constantly trying to connect to the mothership, so phone Datatool to get it deactivated remotely if removing it is a hassle.

 

[MarkMRT]

Depends if you value the tracker being in place, if not remove or deactivate it.
Had the same issue on my R9T, removed the S5 with no further battery issues.
If the tracker is out of subscription, battery drain will increase as it is constantly trying to connect to the mothership, so phone Datatool to get it deactivated remotely if removing it is a hassle.

I didn't plan on renewing the subscription so eventually removed it. I suspect the battery is the original so at 4 year old probably due for renewal in the near future. But for now I'm sticking with it and carrying a small jump pack for peace of mind.

 

[littleade]

I didn't plan on renewing the subscription so eventually removed it. I suspect the battery is the original so at 4 year old probably due for renewal in the near future. But for now I'm sticking with it and carrying a small jump pack for peace of mind.

I really would get a battery tender as not only does it keep the battery topped up in my experience batteries last a lot longer when you use one than when you don't. Years ago my mate had to push me down the road to start my Fireblade after a winter lay up, something he continues to remind me of to this day. I bought an optimate and never had any problems after that with either the Blade or the 5 BMWs I've had since (though I bought an Optimate 4 when I got my 1st GS in 2015 which I've used on successive bikes)

 

[Morety]

I have a bmw charger sat in the garage doing nothing going spare. I always kept my RT and RS bikes hooked up to it and it definitely extends battery life.

 

[Engineer]

Hi all, new member here!

Recently bought a 21 R1250RT with the big TFT and stealth S5 tracker installed. After a decent run bringing the bike home it sat for a week in the garage with no tender then had problems starting up. I've since had some more runs after charging the battery and it starts fine so I'm thinking the starter is good but the battery is getting weak and needs changed.

And now the questions - I'm looking at a Yuasa TX14, £58 delivered from Sports bike shop. Is there any particular reason to go for a different type, or squeeze in a higher capacity battery? And should I remove the S5 to lower drain?

Stealth trackers drain the battery in a matter of days - had this issue on my 1250GS, new battery did not fix the problem, the Stealth tracker was taking almost 50mA. As soon as I removed the tracker the problem went away.