Battery Charger Question

[Plumbob8]

I'm now the proud owner of a 2008 K1200LT. It indeed is a fine machine and I am looking forward to enjoying many miles on it. I got a BMW battery charger for Christmas (for the LT) and as I was about to open the package, I noticed that it said I can plug it into 2004 and earlier BMWs, but must take the battery out to charge the BMWs later than 2004. I don't want to have to take the battery out to keep it topped off with a trickle charge. So I checked with the BMW bike shop where I bought the LT and where the charger came from. They said I can plug it into the LT without fear of damaging anything as long as I don't crank the bike while it is plugged in. I wonder why it says on the package not to plug it in? Will I be safe to go ahead and do it?

RJS
Wilmington, NC

[riderR1150GSAdv]

IMHO it has to do with the CANBUS and your LT doesn't have that, so you ought to be fine. I had an '05 LT and used the BMW charger without issues. I use the same charger on my non CANBUS 1150 GS as well.
Happy charging and many (s)miles on your LT. I do miss mine from time to time...

[PGlaves]

The reference to 2004 or earlier relates to the Canbus, as noted, and does not apply to your bike. Plug it in! Be happy.

For readers with a Canbus bike run leads directly from the battery - fused of course - for a charger and anything you have (like a heated jacket) that might take over 5 amps.