So what's the life expectancy of a

[Spotless]

So what's the life expectancy of a Hawker battery v's an OEM battery?

I have an '03 non ABS GS1150 (owned from new) and in the colder weather the ol' girl's having a problem getting started.......

It's kept on an Optimate between use and 'Opti ' alway's got his smiley face on when I go out to start it up.....

But several times of late, the F'ing B'tard ....turns over (reluctantly)....coughs, farts and then it's that dreaded clicking noise........then it's trudge back into the house and I cry out, ''Darling!...Ok if I use the car????????''...........but even worse is the reply.....''Of course darling,....why is there something wrong with your bike?????......snigger snigger''............


So I guess it's time for a new battery BUT before I go and buy one of these new whizz bang Hawkers at the cost of arm and a leg.......just what is the life expectancy of the Hawkers?......the OEM has worked brill for four and a half years, will the Hawker best that?.....it should do for that much mister!!!


And if I do go the Hawker route.....where can I get the best deal?......and what model do I need to order for a non ABS '03 GS1150???

....bloody bike.....why don't somebody do a kick start add on for 'em??....trying to bump it is no joke!!!!!

Safe riding (if it'll start!)

Spotless

 

[Stanley Knife]

Just had exactly the same problem with my 03 non ABS 1150 !,although its never been near an optimate in its live (no power in garage).

I took the plunge and bought a Hawker PC680 ,mainly becase one of my mates who shares the garage with me had one for 4 years in his R1100RS until he wrote it off, he then took it out and flogged it (tight git!) to another other mate (who also shares garage) for his 1150RT where it has been giving good service for the last 3 years under the same conditions as my GS...so they must be pretty good!.

I paid £82.42 for mine from a place in Glasgow,not sure of the exact name and address as mate number one picked it up for me and hasn't given me the receipt yet.

I had a look at Knight Battery supplies web site and the were a bit more expensive.

If it saves all that messing about with jump leads for at least the next 4 years it will be worth it,but then I probably won't be able to resist the temptations of a 1200 Adventure for that long anyway.

Good luck!

 

[Timolgra]

I've used the same Hawker battery on my last 3 1150s and never need to use an Optimate charger at all.

 

[Steptoe]

I've a hawker PC680 fitted to my 1150 - I found they aren't as good as everyone suggests.

It maybe a case of having spent a lot of dosh on one, people convince themselves they are far superior.

But i haven't found anything to justify the advertising claims or expense compared to a normal gel battery.