Optimate yes or no?

[Gizmo*]

well, 10 month old bike, only owned it for 2 weeks and battery is flat despite me putting about 500 miles on in last 10 days. Starter clicks when i try and start it but needs a jump before it'll turn engine over. Got it running yesterday, went out for an hour and stopped it, it wouldn't start so it looks like battery is fooked.

Reading the handbook it looks like BM don't recommend charging the battery with wiring connected because of possible problems with CANBUS, I was going to fit an optimate lead like my other bikes have but this doesn't look like i can?? it needs to be the BM dedicated charger???

Is this the case or can i use an optimate lead without damaging anything?

 

[Slowdown]

Many others have apparently connected the supplied lead directly to the battery and been very happy. There must be loads of 'HOWTO' posts in search or on www.advrider.com......

 

[Our Gee]

As per what Slowdown says, I have been using an Optimate since getting my new GS last August. Use the Optimate supplied harness which goes directly to the Battery Terminals, and can be routed to exit just below the Black removable cover above the air intake tube. The rubber socket with it,s water proof cap can hardly be noticed.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Trust me... you need an Optimate or equivalent or you will be let down. I have suffered four or five 'no starts' in the last few years, usually when not expected: like yesterday!

Last Sunday I did 200 miles during Clive's tour of the white horses, rode the bike again on Friday, doing 20 miles, mounted the bike Saturday morning and clckety click

The previous week, I had a software update and I am hoping that it is not leaving something powered up

My optimate has been redlighting a lot in the last month and I am reasoning to believe that my 6 month old battery is failing. I will talk to the dealer next week.

Didnt use my Optimate this week, cos it is warm and this should not have happened

My Optimate is hard wired to the battery and has never caused any canbus issues, either with this bike of my last 1200.

 

[Grizz]

+1

I bought a 2 year old 15k miler the 1st of May, had been stood for two weeks before, could not get started until a jump from the car..... which took a while too.

This morning I tried to get it started.... Nada, Zilch.... Nothing, click click click.

Then the auto diagnostic showed a lightbulb, but with an arrow next to it pointing forward..... I have the HID light conversion on it too.
So , ultimately , no ride.

I am surprised that batteries need that sort of attention.... Surely BMW or whoever should have sorted this sort of stuff out a long time ago ?

Anyway, I will go put the crocodile clips on the battery directly whe I get home tonight.

well, 10 month old bike, only owned it for 2 weeks and battery is flat despite me putting about 500 miles on in last 10 days. Starter clicks when i try and start it but needs a jump before it'll turn engine over. Got it running yesterday, went out for an hour and stopped it, it wouldn't start so it looks like battery is fooked.

Reading the handbook it looks like BM don't recommend charging the battery with wiring connected because of possible problems with CANBUS, I was going to fit an optimate lead like my other bikes have but this doesn't look like i can?? it needs to be the BM dedicated charger???

Is this the case or can i use an optimate lead without damaging anything?

 

[Andrew Lodge]

Never any problems as long as the optimate is connected any time I ma not going to ride for more than a day or so.

 

[alimey4u2]

My fear of a continous trickle ( OK switched ) charge is that it would "possibly" mask the fact that your battery is shite...Better you see the problem in the comfort (and safety) of your own garage then to be stranded on Bodmin Moor (as an example)...

 

[Our Gee]

And what happens when you are away on a three week Tour staying at up to 6 different locations. I,m currently doing a Chambre dote search for those which have "Optimate Facilities" !!.

 

[cookie]

I am surprised that batteries need that sort of attention....

they don't.

if the battery goes flat when parked for relatively short periods, there's something wrong.

My fear of a continous trickle ( OK switched ) charge is that it would "possibly" mask the fact that your battery is shite...Better you see the problem in the comfort (and safety) of your own garage then to be stranded on Bodmin Moor (as an example)...

quite.

 

[MIKE-SA]

Hi

I had problems when my bike was standing for a week or 2 between rides. All advise received was "change battery"

I bought the optimate and wired the lead directly to the battery.

I do a 12 hour charge once a week and have not hassles since

BTW - bike sits inside a garage & has no alarm

So far - 2004 on original battery...