Replacement battery

[kenseaton]

Had to call out the repairman when my 1200GS rolled to a halt at traffic lights and wouldn't start again. Had been riding for about 60 miles but, despite starter turning OK, couldn't get the motor to catch. Repairman - R1200RT owner - tried and got the clicks of death... so got out the heavy duty jump battery and said my two-year-old battery was effed.

Question: which battery do I go for? I had the Yuasa but need something that's going to be reliable - and remember people always recommended the Odyssey. Is that still the case - and is it any easier to fit?

Thanks in advance - Ken

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Odyssey is good but expensive. I'm looking at Motobatt from Wemoto which is sensibly priced and high powered

 

[Mr Bean]

I put an Odyssey on from Motorworks about a year ago and more than happy, but it needed the bracket adapting.

 

[ihandyman247]

Most guys around here goes for the Odyssey ones I had them for 7 years now and always worked ok for me both in 1150 and 1200 !
My advice is to go for it and try to charge the battery from time to time , I charge my battery before every ride and had no problems

 

[ghiribizzo]

Motobatt. No problems with terminals on the wrong side a la Odyssey.

 

[Bendy toy]

Ballistic will be my next choice. Costly but life up to 10 years and small enough to fit any bike. £125 or £150 for the R1200. If a decent standard battery is goosed after 2 years the Ballistic looks cheap.
http://www.thefnt.co.uk/online-shop/ballistic-performance-component-batteries/

The 12 cell gives 410 amps Cold Cranking Amps Not bad for something weighing 1106 grams (2.44 lb). The 8 cell has similar performance to this.
http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/shop/pr...entName=Motorcycle+Batteries&departmentID=155

Wemoto show three 14AH batteries but they wont have anything like the cold cranking amps of the fnt above never mind the ballistic. TNH, no surprise they fail early.
http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/bmw/r_1200_gs_adventure_spoke_wheel/07-09/picture/battery_yuasa/

 

[mrjim130]

Not going for warranty claim? There's a number of people out there who give a 2 year warranty on batteries.

 

[APE]

What's wrong with the original one. Why not replace like with like ?

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I'm still on my original battery after 6.5 years

 

[(RIP) Miff]

My 1200's battery died this year. I suspect it's the original battery from 2005

So I replaced it with this. IIRC it was £27 (trade price). Notice the similarity between the two of them...

BMW wanted over £100 for an OE battery

 

[boo]

Hi I put an odyssey on about a month ago bit of a problem getting terminals on and a very tight fit but managed it in the end couldn't get retaining bar over battery so left it lose. Boo

 

[Bendy toy]

You could extend the terminal with some flattened copper tube.

The cold cranking amps of that posh Yuasa I posted up is the same as the Ballistic 8 cell but the Yuasa is much heavier and not a lot cheaper.

The cheaper 12AH and 14AH wont have much CCA will struggle on a GS if its parked outside, but kept in a garage on an Optimate will do ok. They will be working very hard so charge plate life wont be great. But at £35 a pop it doesn't need to be.

I cant be bothered with pampering the battery to that extent and want reliability. So for me, the extra wedge is worth it for insurance value. I could also take off the Ballistic and fit a new cheapy when I sell the bike. Being so small the ballistic would fit almost anything. And the cheapy will last as long as a used better quality lead acid has left to live.

 

[APE]

Mine is left in the garage for long periods without the aid of a charger and has never let me done - of course they don't last for ever

 

[Bendy toy]

I do that with my Suzuki Kettle. The battery is usually fked by the time I need it.

Reminder to me - Diversion 900 battery needs an Optimate top up.

 

[beatmeier]

My 1200's battery died this year. I suspect it's the original battery from 2005

So I replaced it with this. IIRC it was £27 (trade price). Notice the similarity between the two of them...

BMW wanted over £100 for an OE battery

thanks for the tip mine is on the way out

 

[adventuredon]

Mine is the original, May 2010 battery. Bike never seen a day indoors, and stood for 2 weeks some times without any movement or turnover. I ll replace like for like and nuts to reading too much about things that I'll store in the garage on a charger....just gonna ride it

 

[original_concept]

You could extend the terminal with some flattened copper tube.

The cold cranking amps of that posh Yuasa I posted up is the same as the Ballistic 8 cell but the Yuasa is much heavier and not a lot cheaper.

The cheaper 12AH and 14AH wont have much CCA will struggle on a GS if its parked outside, but kept in a garage on an Optimate will do ok. They will be working very hard so charge plate life wont be great. But at £35 a pop it doesn't need to be.

I cant be bothered with pampering the battery to that extent and want reliability. So for me, the extra wedge is worth it for insurance value. I could also take off the Ballistic and fit a new cheapy when I sell the bike. Being so small the ballistic would fit almost anything. And the cheapy will last as long as a used better quality lead acid has left to live.

I do like the look of the Ballistic 12V EVO, the weight saving is great. The size is, uhm a pain, I noticed some chap on a ST Forum created a wooden frame for his. Which for me is extra expense and a PITA to do.

The biggest concern, it has to cope with cold starting all winter, like now, where its under 0.

 

[mr badger]

Standard off-the-peg batteries from yhe local wholesalers.

Never garaged, never charged.

Replaced every 3/4 years.

Never had a problem.

 

[jasper]

Hi
If its any help, I fitted an Odyssey a couple of months ago. It fits the 2010 GS casing nice and snugly, as it is slightly larger, no need for the retaining strap.
It has ended the odd problems I was getting with the original battery. Worth the money.

 

[ihandyman247]

Mine is left in the garage for long periods without the aid of a charger and has never let me done - of course they don't last for ever

You should put it to charge ASAP , ABS neds a bit off extra power to work fully , no wander why so many bikes stop working at the traffic lights !