Original BMW Battery

[GSwadd]

My 2006 model 1200GS's original battery is now over 4 years old. Been toying with the idea of getting a new one but it still starts whenever I push the button (mostly), so what do you all think? Should I risk a new one or just throw the missus on the back and go on a 1500km outback ride this weekend?

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Mines the same .... 4.5 years old now still on the original battery. I think I'll wait untill mine fails before buying another

 

[Martyn H]

Just changed my RT's battery at 4 years.
With that first cold spell she "groaned' a bit on starting, & my rationale is that I'd rather change the battery at a time & place of my choosing, as opposed to being let down one morning when trying to get to work, say.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

If that happend I'd just take a different bike

 

[Martyn H]

If that happend I'd just take a different bike

Not if you're miles from home, & the other bikes are in their nice warm garage, at home..........

 

[wessie]

My 2006 model 1200GS's original battery is now over 4 years old. Been toying with the idea of getting a new one but it still starts whenever I push the button (mostly), so what do you all think? Should I risk a new one or just throw the missus on the back and go on a 1500km outback ride this weekend?

Do you live in some sort of third world country without a breakdown recovery service, a network of motor accessory shops or a reliable postal service?

 

[The Nutter]

My 2006 model 1200GS's original battery is now over 4 years old. Been toying with the idea of getting a new one but it still starts whenever I push the button (mostly), so what do you all think? Should I risk a new one or just throw the missus on the back and go on a 1500km outback ride this weekend?

If it still works don't bugger about with it. You could stick on a brand new battery that fails within a week (it's happened to me). Good to see some people getting so long out of a battery.

 

[TeaPig]

The older the battery the greater the chance it'll go toes up. They often simply fade away but can give up and go dead in an instant

If you don't change it, it'll die 200k from the nearest bar. If you do change it the old one will probably have been good for another 2 years so whatever you do it'll be the wrong decision. Accept the inevitability of this.

More seriously, if the battery regularly goes too flat to start the bike after say 2 weeks of standing or less, then it's on its way out so change it now. You'll need to do it before much longer anyway so better to do it at home than being stuck in the middle of nowhere as unless your missus has thighs like a wallaby you'll not be able bump start a GS, especially on dirt.

 

[GSwadd]

If it still works don't bugger about with it. You could stick on a brand new battery that fails within a week (it's happened to me). Good to see some people getting so long out of a battery.

That's what concerns me. If I change it it could be a dud that goes belly up on the weekend. No time to try it this week. At least I know the old one still has some life and is proven. Mind you, been flat 4 times but a 10 min charge got it going each time....

If you don't change it, it'll die 200k from the nearest bar.

I'm riding to a bar so think I'll chance it.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Should I risk a new one or just throw the missus on the back and go on a 1500km outback ride this weekend?

As you've got the missus on the back, if the battery does die, she can help to bump start the bike.

Problem solved.