What I learned today....

Magnet

Magnet

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...was that if you run spotlights (non-HID), heated grips and heated gloves on a slow-speed commute and then leave your bike parked in the cold all day, when you want to go home it won't start 'cos the battery's flat :(

Anyway, Steve from BMW assist was very helpful and got me going again.

My question is, can you get a better battery as I don't want this to happen again and I haven't even started using my heated vest yet :eek:.

Ta. :)
 
it would appear the alternator's not up to the job of recharging the system, with all your extra's running, there is another thread about something similar by a guy in Texas
 
roddy said:
it would appear the alternator's not up to the job of recharging the system, with all your extra's running, there is another thread about something similar by a guy in Texas
Click to expand...

That would be me. :blagblah and yes, running heated clothing chews up the alternator something fierce. :agree
 
I have a little voltmeter jobbie on mine that tells me whether the alternator is charging or not. When the light goes from green to yellow I switch something off until it goes green again.
As you've discovered, low revs = low alternator output so you might try dropping a gear when at low speeds.
Also, in weather like this where it's cold so you need to run grips etc. and it's foggy so you need the extra lighting, it's worth connecting an optimate or similar every night so the battery starts the day in tip-top condition.
I also switch things off when about a mile or even half mile from work so that the alternator directs all it's charging power to the battery. Heated grips/gloves/vest etc. should carry enough latent heat to keep you sufficiently warm for that last mile.
Is your bike easy to jump start? If, like the F650 GS single, the battery is somewhat difficult to access then it might be worth rigging up some kind of jump-start point. Someone on here was talking of making some up recently. Whether this is pertinent to your model or not I'm not sure.
 
A dont think putting a bigger or more powerfull battery makes any difference, if the alternator carnt give enough output to keep up with all your electrical load it will still flatten the battery.
As you say a slow speed comute isnt very good for alt. output ,it maybe ok with higher engine speeds (more output)...................try having some ready brek in the morning that will keep you warm :thumb2:augie
 
My old Moto Guzzi Cali' was similar, in that at 30mph in top gear the alternator wasn't charging (but it did sound good only 'firing at every other lamp post!).

A larger capacity battery will simply take a bit longer to go flat! The answer is to keep the engine speed up for longer, so either find a longer route, or drive in a lower gear in town... or switch off some of the kit whilst in town.
 
I thought

it was warm in Texas ? Had a similar experience with my 1100 this morning, so now reckon I have to choose between cold hands and better visibility. Eh....cold hands it is then.
 
Thank you all for your replies:)

So I will:

Switch off some kit at low speeds, use higher revs (or go faster:D), have porridge for breakfast:P
 
Hey there Magnet ... heated jacket for a ten minute run in to work :eek:

What ya gonna do when Winter comes ;)

:comfort

:kissy2
 
It was 40 mins and 3 degrees and...

it was heated gloves:dabone.

Not used vest yet. When I do i'll probably have to ride at 60mph in first gear with no lights :D

You didn't use any heated stuff in Scotland then...:rolleyes:

:kissy2:kissy2
 
heated grips and glooves:mmmm why not try switching kit off with about 15 minutes to go before you arrive

or its a good excuse to go out for a blast at lunch time:thumb2
 
chad said:
you need heated clothing in texas:eek
Click to expand...
Hell yeah! It gets COLD in Texas in the winter. The record low was -30°C, but it gets below freezing all the time. Snow is common in the panhandle, but it freezes all the way down on the Gulf of Mexico from time to time.

David
 
WoodWorks said:
Hell yeah! It gets COLD in Texas in the winter. The record low was -30°C, but it gets below freezing all the time. Snow is common in the panhandle, but it freezes all the way down on the Gulf of Mexico from time to time.

David
Click to expand...
blimey you learn something new every day:)

small price to pay for having such an amazing motorcycling playground:beerjug:
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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