Short trips help

[adam277]

Yo.

I'll try to keep the questions brief.

I currently have a 2007 R1200GSA.
After parking it up for a few months it would not start (dead battery) So I jumped it
Rode it for like 30 minutes and hopefully when I go to ride it again shortly it will be fine.

So first question... How long should you drive a motorcycle to top up its battery? Like a min of 30 mins once a week?


Also I want to use the bike for commuting but as my job situation has changed my new commute is 3.4 miles. (Yea, not a lot lol) But I'd rather take the bike if I can as parking will be free.
Will this cause any issues to the bike? i.e load of short trips every week. I presume it wont heat up fully.
If it is a potential issue I guess I can keep taking the car.


Thanks.

 

[stever1]

Yo.

I'll try to keep the questions brief.

I currently have a 2007 R1200GSA.
After parking it up for a few months it would not start (dead battery) So I jumped it
Rode it for like 30 minutes and hopefully when I go to ride it again shortly it will be fine.

So first question... How long should you drive a motorcycle to top up its battery? Like a min of 30 mins once a week?


Also I want to use the bike for commuting but as my job situation has changed my new commute is 3.4 miles. (Yea, not a lot lol) But I'd rather take the bike if I can as parking will be free.
Will this cause any issues to the bike? i.e load of short trips every week. I presume it wont heat up fully.
If it is a potential issue I guess I can keep taking the car.


Thanks.

Firstly, if it’s been sat for months the battery may not be any good.
Secondly, if the mileage isn’t enough to keep it fully charged. Put it on an optimate a couple of hours a week.

 

[MartinK]

I think you will need more than 30 mins to charge a low battery - I'd be looking at an hour or 2. Probably commute "the long way round" a couple of times a week when the weather's nice and you have a bit of time

 

[Buttertub]

I'd go down the optimate route, if you can, that way i wouldn't expect problems even with short journeys and having to any extended journeys to top it up. Optimate also claim to have a recovery mode for deeply discharged batteries so might also help if your current battery isn't totally knackered.

 

[wessie]

My 10 mile commute seemed enough to charge my battery, even when using heated grips and jacket in winter. This only works if you have a battery and charging system in good condition. The bike got a couple of longer runs a month in winter. Daily commuting is in the past fortunately as I mostly work from home.

You really need to get your battery to a fully charged state then give it a top up once a week on an Optimate or similar as I doubt 3 miles is enough.

A 3 mile commute won't harm the bike as long as it gets a decent run to boil off the condensation from the short runs.

Carry one of those jump start packs and learn how to use it before you need it.

 

[wessie]

I'd go down the optimate route, if you can, that way i wouldn't expect problems even with short journeys and having to any extended journeys to top it up. Optimate also claim to have a recovery mode for deeply discharged batteries so might also help if your current battery isn't totally knackered.

just remember the Optimate won't enter recovery mode if the battery is on the bike as it automatically senses a load and goes into maintenance mode.

 

[Buttertub]

just remember the Optimate won't enter recovery mode if the battery is on the bike as it automatically senses a load and goes into maintenance mode.

That's useful to know, never had to use recovery mode but if so i'll make sure to remove the battery.

 

[Mr Bean]

For years my daily commute was around 3.5 miles each way, with a bike parked in the garden and not on a charger. My view is that it will be fine, as long as you do a longer run every couple of weeks, or so.

My local dealer (Lind) starts the s/h bikes, leaving them idling for 10 minutes or so before wheeling them up the ramp to put the unsold bikes back into the showroom.

I think you'll be fine, as long as there is the odd longer run.

 

[adam277]

My bike did come with a Oxford Optimizer thing. (Well the cables attached to the battery and the end stub bit)
I do not have an actual charger to go to it though. I did look on Amazon at the Optimizers... dont really wanna buy one if I get the wrong one lol. Although I am sure it will come with the battery connectors either way so could just swap them but idk. hassle.

 

[Andy63]

If your going to get a battery charger get a CTEK with quick connector adapter. Slightly more expensive maybe, but better than the optimate.

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b..._g91aVxz6g9cYKfme6MfgtOWLxs941EwaAiz6EALw_wcB
The comfort adapter is listed with frequently bought together items on this web page, I dare say you may find it cheaper if you shop around

Eitherway you should be looking at getting a charger.

 

[Alan R]

If your going to get a battery charger get a CTEK with quick connector adapter. Slightly more expensive maybe, but better than the optimate.

Eitherway you should be looking at getting a charger.

Why? In what way better? Do you have details please?
Alan R

 

[CPJS]

Why? In what way better? Do you have details please?
Alan R

After two optimates giving up on me in a five year period I bought a Ctek. Smaller, lighter and I hasn't died in six years in doing regular duty across five vehicles.
For me better than an Optimate.

 

[Andy63]

After two optimates giving up on me in a five year period I bought a Ctek. Smaller, lighter and I hasn't died in six years in doing regular duty across five vehicles.
For me better than an Optimate.

Same for me

 

[longdog]

Another for CTEK chargers

 

[Lord Snooty]

For such a short commute why not consider a second hand twist and go, cheap to insure and galactic mpg and will save the wear and tear on your GS.

 

[The Other PaulG]

You are fortunate because the short commute means you absolutely HAVE to get it out a couple of times a month to get it up to temp for a while. That's what Sunday mornings are for.

 

[Rockred]

For such a short commute why not consider a second hand twist and go, cheap to insure and galactic mpg and will save the wear and tear on your GS.

What he says, my little PCX 125 does about 130 to the gallon, filters through traffic easier than most bikes, parks on a sixpence and is a lot of fun.

 

[adam277]

What he says, my little PCX 125 does about 130 to the gallon, filters through traffic easier than most bikes, parks on a sixpence and is a lot of fun.

Yea, that is an option. Although it would probably mean I'd never use my R1200GS lol.
Also would also set me back around £2000. When I already have a motorcycle and car. So, do I really need 3 vehicles? Probably not lol.

 

[beemerboy9]

I found getting an RT around London's North Circular Road in the rush hour too stressful. Bought a nice s/h twist and go (Honda SH300) for £2200 and sold it 5 years later for £1500. Cheap motoring indeed and the journey was almost entirely stress-free. Insurance was £22/year as a second bike.

 

[Bem]

Yo.

I'll try to keep the questions brief.

I currently have a 2007 R1200GSA.
After parking it up for a few months it would not start (dead battery) So I jumped it
Rode it for like 30 minutes and hopefully when I go to ride it again shortly it will be fine.

So first question... How long should you drive a motorcycle to top up its battery? Like a min of 30 mins once a week?


Also I want to use the bike for commuting but as my job situation has changed my new commute is 3.4 miles. (Yea, not a lot lol) But I'd rather take the bike if I can as parking will be free.
Will this cause any issues to the bike? i.e load of short trips every week. I presume it wont heat up fully.
If it is a potential issue I guess I can keep taking the car.


Thanks.

Put a new battery in and use the bike!
A 3.4 mile commute is long distance here, so no problems (assuming all systems are working correctly).
A bike being used is a working bike, whilst one left standing is just so much junk!