Battery dilemma

[SteveSellers]

I bought a '96 RT a couple of months ago and it is time for the 48K service. My nearest BMW service facility is in San Antonio, about 175 miles South of here. My battery needs to be replaced and the battery that I have read so much about, the Odyssey PC680, is on national backorder.

The only battery carried by the BMW dealer is a private label BMW battery. Does anyone have experience with this battery? Is there another brand that I should use? I want to get everything done on one trip South because of the distance, time, etc.

Thanks,

Steve

[eaganj346]

I bought a battery from the BMW dealer for my K75 in May. It says 'BMW' on it but it also says it is made by Excide. It seems to work fine. Cost was $120.77 plus tax.

Hope this helps,
John

[PAULBACH]

Compare websites and do some comparison shopping. Here's a good place to start. (http://www.beiterbatteries.com/mobility_12v_200ah.htm)

[AntonLargiader]

The BMW gel battery is a good product but the price just jumped to $161. I don't think it's worth that. Hopefully it will come down again in July.

[Jeff488]

Here's a good source for Odyssey AGM batteries.
I got one for my bike and this site had the best price I could find.

http://www.batterystuff.com/batterySearch.php?theType=Motorcycle&theMake=BMW&theModel=R100/7&theYear=1983&m=1#result

[GSAddict]

If you want to order from Canada, these guys have 'em
http://www.polarbattery.com/
The PC680 is one excellent battery. I know of several in use in my area and can personally attest to owning one for the last 5 years. Keep it properly charged and expect 8+ years out of it.

[TheRoss]

I use the BMW gel battery (made by Excide) in my RT. Just bought a new one 2 months ago from Santa Cruz BMW. Price was reasonable. I keep the bikes plugged in when not riding them and replace the batteries every 4 years just as a precaution. Never had any problems at all.

[ArthurKnowles]

I bought a Wesco AGM battery of eBay for $100, but BeemerBoneyard.Com sells them too. Had I of know I would have bought form them first. AGM batteies work really well and do not need a vent tube.

[bmwmoose]

I bought a '96 RT a couple of months ago and it is time for the 48K service. My nearest BMW service facility is in San Antonio, about 175 miles South of here. My battery needs to be replaced and the battery that I have read so much about, the Odyssey PC680, is on national backorder.

Try Batteries Plus, they usually stock them and should have multiple locatins in the SATX area. To use this battery on my 02RT, you need some adapters that you can find on the A&S BMW website under R1150RT accessories, I DON'T know if they are needed on yours.

The only battery carried by the BMW dealer is a private label BMW battery. Does anyone have experience with this battery? Is there another brand that I should use? I want to get everything done on one trip South because of the distance, time, etc.

I have been using the BMW Gel, and agree that the price is excessive, would like some thing with a little more CCA and reserve.

Steve

Good Luck!

[1990K1]

FWIW, I got my Odyessy from West Coast Battery - http://www.odysseybatteries.com/ - about a month ago. Yes, at that time they said they were having production difficulties and I chose to be on the waiting list. They called me within in a week and they had one ready to ship.
It was worth the wait for me.