I know that this a question that ranks with “how long is a piece of string” but does anyone have any idea if the life of an Odessey battery is greater that another conventional lead cell battery? My reason for asking is that my ABS on my 1100 is failing to function on start up. It will work on the odd occasion after the bike has been running. I know from experience that a voltage drop say on start up will cause the ABS to fail. However the engine does turn over with vigour! The battery is approximately 5 years old. I replaced the starter motor 2/3 years ago with a reconditioned one from motorworks. as the old one seized up and really pulled a lot of power, reducing the voltage and causing the ABS to fail. Just because Odessey have a good reputation for cranking, does this mean their longevity is greater? Basically I am trying to decide what is causing voltage drop :- old battery or doggy starter motor! The bike is used regularly all year round.
Odessey battery life
- Thread starter Peter
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I would be tempted to remove, check and clean your starter motor first. Its not difficult, and there is a guide posted here. The only thing to watch out for is putting the plastic brush holder back together, as well as the two nuts its secured with, the brushes retaining spring needs to clamp onto the metal body (you will see what I mean when you strip it).
If its the battery, I would stick with the bmw one. They are cheaper and do the job no problem.
If its the battery, I would stick with the bmw one. They are cheaper and do the job no problem.
Early 1100s were the worst for the ABS setting fault. The fundamental issue is that the ABS trips out when the voltage during cranking drops below a preset level.
IMHO the best way of minimising the voltage drop is to ensure that your battery is absolutely fully charged when you start the bike. An Optimate, hooked up every moment that the bike's engine isn't running, is the way to go.
If I'm absolutely honest, I really have no idea why anybody pays a premium for an Odyssey battery.
Greg
IMHO the best way of minimising the voltage drop is to ensure that your battery is absolutely fully charged when you start the bike. An Optimate, hooked up every moment that the bike's engine isn't running, is the way to go.
If I'm absolutely honest, I really have no idea why anybody pays a premium for an Odyssey battery.
Greg
If I'm absolutely honest, I really have no idea why anybody pays a premium for an Odyssey battery.
Greg
i think they became popular when bmw were only offering lead acid types. i don't think AGM became original fitment until the 1200.
AFAIK their two main advantages are that they hold charge better when not in use + they don't leak acid when tipped over.
i don't see Odyssey being better than other AGM batteries, but i have one that's still fine after being fitted on 3 bikes, sits around doing nothing most of the time, & is at least 5 years old.
Try turning the ignition on with all the electrics turned off ( lights heated grips etc etc ), and then waiting for five or so seconds before pressing the starter button.
If you press the starter button too soon you interupt the abs checking procedure, one of which is checking the voltage, which would make it register well below the 12 volts needed and switch the abs off.
If you press the starter button too soon you interupt the abs checking procedure, one of which is checking the voltage, which would make it register well below the 12 volts needed and switch the abs off.
Spot on. I bought my Odyssey in Dec 2004 as the 1st replacement for the OE battery on my 2000 model 1150GS. The OE replacement battery was a wet lead/acid job and there were 2 options for AGM: the Westco or the Odyssey. At the time they were both the same price so I went for the Odyssey.
The battery has successfully got through 7 winters now so I think I've had value for money as I'm sure a wet lead acid battery would've lasted about 4 years like the original.
As far as ABS faults are concerned, the voltage problem is not the only idiosynchrasy. My ABS went through a period of throwing up an intermittent piston fault code. This problem would disappear in the summer and return in the winter. I put it down to the varying viscoscity of the brake fluid, being thicker in winter. Since the last brake fluid change the problem has not reappeared. Perhaps the brand of fluid used (no idea what Mike at Cardiff Motorrad used) is better at staying "thin" at cold temperatures?
dont know about Oddessey batteries, but they have to be better than O.E ones fitted. I have just had mine changed on a GS which is only 7 months old.
Thanks for all your replies. I will try some of the ideas mentioned. Please excuse my ignorance but Greg Masters what does IMHO stand for? And Cookie what does AGM and AFAIK abbreviate for?
Pauly S
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Pauly S
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