Battery info for '99 R1100RT

[FatBaxter]

The battery on my '99 R1100RT died, and I'm looking for a replacement. I searched the forum threads for info, but now I'm mightily confused about battery compatibility.

The dead battery is a BMW-supplied Exide (part # 61-21-2-346-800). It says "Gelbatterie" on the side, so I presume it's a gel battery. I got it in mid-'05 at my dealer. My bike originally came with a standard lead-acid battery (I recall what a pain it was to take off the tupperware to top it off). I've been reading good things about the newer AGM-type batteries. However, I'm not sure if they're compatible with my bike.

My confusion is twofold. First, from what I gather, some of the newer gel/AGM batteries require a higher charge rate off the bike's system (13.8 volts versus 14.2 volts?). I have no idea what my my bike generates nor how to measure it, but it sounds to me that I can't just plunk any new battery into my bike unless it matches my bike or I modify the output to match the new battery.

Second, I've read that the BMW-supplied gel battery requires it's own unique charger. I've been using a Deltran Battery Tender Plus for years. If that's incompatible with the BMW gel battery (and I can't ascertain whether or not it is), no one mentioned it (and IIRC, the dealer sold it to me). All that aside, I read in the forum that the BMW-supplied battery isn't that good in the first place.

In short, what kind of batteries will fit my bike, and do I need a different battery charger? Am I stuck with the BMW-supplied battery? I'd rather not have to modify my bike (there's only one BMW dealer in my state, and it's a pain to drag my bike there for even basic service).

Thanks for any help out there!

[beeryboats]

I've got the same situation, except my battery is still good. I had my battery out for my driving light install and noticed it was a gel as well. There is still the old vent tube hanging there! I had been using a Harbor Freight special trickle charger with no problems. But from my reading, I may pay for it later.
Jay

[ontheriver]

The battery on my '99 R1100RT died, and I'm looking for a replacement. I searched the forum threads for info, but now I'm mightily confused about battery compatibility.

The dead battery is a BMW-supplied Exide (part # 61-21-2-346-800). It says "Gelbatterie" on the side, so I presume it's a gel battery. I got it in mid-'05 at my dealer. My bike originally came with a standard lead-acid battery (I recall what a pain it was to take off the tupperware to top it off). I've been reading good things about the newer AGM-type batteries. However, I'm not sure if they're compatible with my bike.

My confusion is twofold. First, from what I gather, some of the newer gel/AGM batteries require a higher charge rate off the bike's system (13.8 volts versus 14.2 volts?). I have no idea what my my bike generates nor how to measure it, but it sounds to me that I can't just plunk any new battery into my bike unless it matches my bike or I modify the output to match the new battery.

Second, I've read that the BMW-supplied gel battery requires it's own unique charger. I've been using a Deltran Battery Tender Plus for years. If that's incompatible with the BMW gel battery (and I can't ascertain whether or not it is), no one mentioned it (and IIRC, the dealer sold it to me). All that aside, I read in the forum that the BMW-supplied battery isn't that good in the first place.

In short, what kind of batteries will fit my bike, and do I need a different battery charger? Am I stuck with the BMW-supplied battery? I'd rather not have to modify my bike (there's only one BMW dealer in my state, and it's a pain to drag my bike there for even basic service).

Thanks for any help out there!

no battery mystery for my 2000RTP use a regular trickle charger (1 amp)-here's the place - price is about $50 delivered to my door in AZ...:whistle
http://www.beiterbatteries.com/mobility_12v_200ah.htm

[ontheriver]

I've got the same situation, except my battery is still good. I had my battery out for my driving light install and noticed it was a gel as well. There is still the old vent tube hanging there! I had been using a Harbor Freight special trickle charger with no problems. But from my reading, I may pay for it later.
Jay

some straight battery info that should clear up the confusion--:whistle



http://www.stealth316.com/2-dynabatt.htm

[bmwmick]

That sure looks like an Odyssey ad. :blah :blah :blah :stick

I've been using AGM batteries in all my bikes and cars/truck for years.
I change my bike batteries every 4 years and have never had one fail
following that schedule.

Stay away from GEL batteries.

There are several good batteries available. Yuasa, Interstate, Panasonic all have
18AH or better batteries that will fit.

[breyfogle]

... I've been reading good things about the newer AGM-type batteries. However, I'm not sure if they're compatible with my bike.
.... some of the newer gel/AGM batteries require a higher charge rate

AGM and GEL batteries are different. AGM's can be charged with any traditional charger/tender. Odyssey AGM's seem to be most popular but as bmwmick stated, any name brand AGM should be fine. GEL batteries have a different chemistry and need a different charger. FWIW, there have been more than a few reports of BMW/Exide GEL battery failures.

[FatBaxter]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I f-i-n-a-l-l-y got through to my BMW dealer, and here's what I found out:

- Any flooded or sealed (i.e., AGM) battery is OK for any beemer. (I didn't ask about the BMW gel, since I'm not interested in that).

- Up until 2005, any battery charger (e.g., Battery tender Plus) can be used to charge the battery through the bike's system via one of the sockets on the bike.

- Starting in 2005, BMW switched its internal wiring to a different standard (CANBUS?) that requires a different ("chipped") charger, if you want to charge the bike through one of the sockets. However, if you wire your bike so the charger connects directly to the battery (my Battery Tender came with these bits), then any charger will again work, because this set-up bypasses the new CANBUS wiring.

That's a load off my mind. It opens up lots of options for what battery I can buy.

[tomrinbellingham]

I did a google search and came up with your question from 2007. I have the same bike and same problem. Dead battery and wondering (after finally getting to the battery under all that tuperware) if I should replace with a sealed battery? If so, what make and part number should I go looking for?

Got the answers for me?

Thanks, Tom
tom@mathperspectives.com


The battery on my '99 R1100RT died, and I'm looking for a replacement. I searched the forum threads for info, but now I'm mightily confused about battery compatibility.

The dead battery is a BMW-supplied Exide (part # 61-21-2-346-800). It says "Gelbatterie" on the side, so I presume it's a gel battery. I got it in mid-'05 at my dealer. My bike originally came with a standard lead-acid battery (I recall what a pain it was to take off the tupperware to top it off). I've been reading good things about the newer AGM-type batteries. However, I'm not sure if they're compatible with my bike.

My confusion is twofold. First, from what I gather, some of the newer gel/AGM batteries require a higher charge rate off the bike's system (13.8 volts versus 14.2 volts?). I have no idea what my my bike generates nor how to measure it, but it sounds to me that I can't just plunk any new battery into my bike unless it matches my bike or I modify the output to match the new battery.

Second, I've read that the BMW-supplied gel battery requires it's own unique charger. I've been using a Deltran Battery Tender Plus for years. If that's incompatible with the BMW gel battery (and I can't ascertain whether or not it is), no one mentioned it (and IIRC, the dealer sold it to me). All that aside, I read in the forum that the BMW-supplied battery isn't that good in the first place.

In short, what kind of batteries will fit my bike, and do I need a different battery charger? Am I stuck with the BMW-supplied battery? I'd rather not have to modify my bike (there's only one BMW dealer in my state, and it's a pain to drag my bike there for even basic service).

Thanks for any help out there!

[bmwmick]

Tom,
Do a search on UB12220. It's a 22AH AGM battery that fits. You will have to drill the connection tabs to 1/4" but that's all you need to do to make it fit.

[aaaaaa]

I bought a battery from the dealer about 3 years ago. I'm using a battery tender. I have no idea if it's Gel or matted. Is there a way to tell if it's ruined?
aaaaaa

[JimMoore]

Tom,

Odyssey PC-680 from Ebay.

[bikerfish1100]

what i just got for my R100GS
http://www.batteriesplus.com/pc-33718-59-Xtreme%20Permaseal%20High%20Performance%20AGM%20Mo torcycle,%20ATV,%20Powersport%20Battery%20-%20XTA30L.aspx
mega CCA and aH ratings, pretty good pricing.
what i'm running in my R11S, at the best price i found in recent searching
http://www.portablepower.com/odyssey_pc680-p-890.html?zenid=b2fc50f6a86897232d2042436f53b966. shipping should be about the value of the $20 discount, or maybe even less.
best price i just found on eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ODYSSEY-PC-680-Harley-ATV-BATTERY-PC680-0-Shipping-USA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ250368573972QQptZMotors Q5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

robert- why would you think your BMW battery is ruined? are you riding a CANBUS (new R1200 series bike) wired bike? if not, then any tender will do (as correctly relayed in this thread by fatbaxter). it's not about battery incompatability, it's a wiring system issue.