K 75S Low Battery - New Battery

[kentuvman]

Wondering about K75 charging system.

Around town riding - to and from work @ 10 miles each way. Using driving lights and modulating headlight - sometimes heated grips.

Have a fresh Westco 12V20P Battery. Last night battery seemed low. After stopping at DQ with a friend, bike didn't want to crank - did get it started.

Put her on trickle charger - should I be keeping her on trickle charge when not using? Or is this a sign of a charging problem?

Thanks in advance, as always,

Ken Tuvman

[PHMarvin]

Hi, Ken,
Go to your local Harbor Freight and buy a float charger. It should cost you about $10 unless it is on sale - my last one was under $5. Buy a BMW plug and wire it to the charger. Every time you put it in the garage, plug the charger into the bike. You should have no more battery problems until the battery dies. When it does, replace it with the larger battery - the same one which goes into the /6 and newer airheads.

Your 10 miles to work and 10 miles home with extra lights going probably doesn't charge the battery fully after it starts the bike. Give it the help it needs with the float charger.

[kentuvman]

Thanks, Guys

I have the float charger and will keep it plugged in from now forward.

[Kayseventyfive]

I recommend a voltmeter for anyone with charging concerns.

I am surprised BMW didn't build one in. Britbikes had ammeters since the 50s, and Japanese bikes often have voltmeters.

I have cobbled up a Lascar digital voltmeter that plugs in to my accessory outlet or cig lighter and is used on all my vehicles, as needed.

The Chinese similar product is inaccurate and unreliable. Don't bother.

[LSkrabut]

Myself I am using a Show Chrome unit. This offers a digital readout at the same time of Voltage, temp and time. I have mine mounted above the speedo cluster but attached under my LT fairing topshelf. Been on about a year now, about 18k miles, no issues as of yet.

It is offered by many distributors. From about mid $20's to upper $40's. It pays to shop around.

Some reviews state it is not waterproof, so far I haven't had any issues, but again in Utah, I tend not to ride in all day downpours.

this is a good web searching term for it:

SHOW CHROME MOTORCYCLE DIGITAL 5 FUNCTION VOLT METER