Which is best

[russell davies]

Hi just wandering which is best for my battery on a R 1200 GS 05 plate will it be the genuine BMW system or the Optimate 4 or even the Oxford system.

I know there is probably pages of debate in the archives but i cant be arsed to go looking and find some out of date information.

Your help and experience will be gratefully received.

Cheers

 

[Dainese Brave]

There are I'm sure miles of posts and threads on this one if you'd have done the search.....

....at the end of it, then it comes down to personal choice, price, and what suits you.

I've always used optimates on my bikes (currently using a mark 2 and a mark 3)...and never had a problem.

I connect mine directly to the battery, with the lead supplied, and this I then tuck into the tool compartment when not in use.

With the Bmw version it can be plugged directly into the accessory plug on the left side, under the seat area...so I guess the Bmw one scores on that front.

There are also concerns that the Optimate is not Canbus friendly...but it tends to be widely disputed....I'm sure a load of posts will prove/deny that statement.

My 2p's worth.....if I needed to buy one I'd go for an Optimate everytime.

I think the Accumen version always get rave reviews too...though made by Optimate I believe, but harder to source (normally stocked by car dealers).
But I contacted Optimate directly a few years ago, and of the two the technical department recommended the Otimate(3 at the time).

I should say that I keep mine on charge all the time it's not in use, and I don't have an alarm to put a drain on the battery.

Hope that helps?

Steve.

 

[JJH]

Hi just wandering which is best for my battery on a R 1200 GS 05 plate will it be the genuine BMW system or the Optimate 4 or even the Oxford system.

I know there is probably pages of debate in the archives but i cant be arsed to go looking and find some out of date information.

Your help and experience will be gratefully received.

Cheers

If u use the bike every day or 2nd day u don't need one jjh

 

[Slowdown]

Just make sure the battery is always fully charged. So long as a system says it's ok to charge bike batteries it'll be fine.

A BMW charger is great but you pay for the convienience.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I use an Optimate 3 hard wired onto the battery with their lead. I've got an 06 bike still on the original battery

 

[Beemerman59]

I have substituted the OEM accessory socket for a Powerlet one which is wired into the unswitched input on a seperate fusebox (amongst other things) which is hooked up direct to the battery. I can use anything powered from this without having the ignition on or use the Optimate III to charge the battery. Works fine.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Hi just wandering which is best for my battery on a R 1200 GS 05 plate will it be the genuine BMW system or the Optimate 4 or even the Oxford system.

I know there is probably pages of debate in the archives but i cant be arsed to go looking and find some out of date information.

Your help and experience will be gratefully received.

Cheers

I have the answer but can't be arsed telling you.

 

[mherkin]

Hi just wandering which is best for my battery on a R 1200 GS 05 plate will it be the genuine BMW system or the Optimate 4 or even the Oxford system.

I know there is probably pages of debate in the archives but i cant be arsed to go looking and find some out of date information.

Your help and experience will be gratefully received.

Cheers

Coddy, you feck! I've already told you this.

You are a very naughty boy.

Rick

 

[mherkin]

I relented....

1) Optimate 4 bought from MDS Battery with extra leads £51.98.
2) Hard wire the Optimate into the battery and cable tie the leads to the frame. Saves having to take the seat off to recharge and is less of a pain.
3) I got an Odyssey battery from Knight Batteries £90. It is a pig to fit. There is a great ADV rider write up. Not sure I would do that. Just get a standard one although the bike was laid up all winter without charging and still started.

That what you mean?

 

[russell davies]

I have the answer but can't be arsed telling you.

Probably could not understand your language any way