Time for a new battery?

[RoboRider]

My 2005 R12RT (37k miles) is coming up on 4 years of age on the same original battery. I use the BMW charger about once a month. The battery seems to be working fine.

I do take long overnight trips. I am wondering two things:

1) Have you gotten a warning that a battery is going? Hard to crank for a while, etc., or did it just die?

2) How long of a life are you guys seeing? If it's 5 years, then I'll probably just swap it out next Spring.

Thanks,
Rob

[deilenberger]

Rob,

Sounds like you have one of the few good batteries. :) In the R12R's - battery failures are common, at way less than 5 years. Many are failing at the 2 year mark or less. And the failure is total and sudden (no sign of impending failure - it's just dead.)

I have had motorcycle batteries last 5-6 years - with regular use and a good charging system. I can see a risk if you replace this battery with one of the BMW/Exide ones that has been failing of having a less reliable battery than you have now. If it was me - I'd perhaps have it load-tested, and if it passes, just keep using it.

[TomfromMD]

FWIW, my '06 will be 4 years old (25k miles) in a few months and is still on the original battery. When not riding for at least a week, I put a charger on it and so far, the only problem has been slow starting at cold temps (40o F) which I attribute to the year round use of 20w50 oil.

But like you, I wonder...

Tom

[lawman101]

I too have an 05 RT..It's had three batteries..The OEM was weak in cold weather. Replaced with an Odyssey. It too was weak in cold weather..Now has a Universal. Have not gone through a winter yet but I can tell you it starts with much more vigor than either of the others.. I would replace now as p.m. It's no fun being stranded..

[_RockZ_]

I bought a 05 RT and seems like there is no Problem yet,:brow

[tonyfr]

I just replaced the battery in my '05 with a Universal battery. Making a run to California soon and didn't want to have any problems on the road. Bike cranks much easier now. :brad

[RoboRider]

Do you have a link to this Universal battery. I'll eventually need to change and I'd like to check them out now.

[osbornk]

Do you have a link to this Universal battery. I'll eventually need to change and I'd like to check them out now.

I got mine here;;http://www.batteriesasap.com/moatvba.html. For some reason, mine failed after about 6 months and a new one is on the way (12 month warranty). The price was $57.31 with shipping (which varies). The battery is slightly shorter and the battery for mine was UB12220 (22AMP) They had Interstates and others for $42.xx plus shipping.

[108281]

I have the original battery in my 05 with about 37K miles. The service manager at Bob's said 5 years max and since the bike was purchased in April of 05 it has 5 seasons on it now but the bike still starts quickly in any weather. I ride it year round and have only had to put a trickle charge on it once. I'll probably see if it gets me through the winter and replace it next spring.

[MPMARTY]

Very interesting thread. My 06 RT still has original battery. I put a battery tender on it in the winter when it's laid up for about four months.

Batteries are really strange. My SAAB 900 turbo has its original battery in it and it is a 1995 model. Fourteen years and still going strong. With the tales of woe on batteries I'll keep the one in the bike until it dies and worry about it then. I do have towing and road service on it and doubt it would die in the middle of a ride right after being charged by the alternator so it would probably be at a motel or at home when it croaks.

[Professor]

I'm very surprised to hear you say that the Odyssey was too weak in the cold weather. I put one on my Moto Guzzi and was very impressed - it was much stronger in cold weather than any battery I had used previously. In fact, high cold-cranking amps is one of Odyssey's selling points. I was very pleased with mine.

[jenkenj]

I too am surprised abut the comment on the Odyssey. I replaced my original with one and it cranks over much faster at any temp than the stock.

Jeff

[47512]

I just replaced a OE Mareg battery in my /6, it went 1 month short of 6 years. I wish BMW would use something of simular quality in the new bikes.

Ken G.

[RoscoeRules]

Mine died at 40 MPH (2007 R1200R) just as though I switched off the ignition, quite suddenly with only 16K miles! Jump starting does no good and I was 100 mi from home---got it towed cuz there was no place I could get a battery on a Sunday. Replaced it with a Universal battery. I measured my battery's dimensions and amp rating on a business card and taped it to the top of the battery so in the event I need to replace it on the road I can call a friend and have him pick up one at a Wal-Mart and I won't have to guess its size to make it fit. I'll never rely on a stock BMW battery any longer!

[PGlaves]

We just got home from a 5 month trip. I was dismayed when I discovered that the battery in Voni's R1100RS had died dead over the summer - even though it was hooked up to a genuine Battery Tender for BMW.

But later I looked it up in the archives - the battery was new in 2001 - so now I don't feel so bad about that.

[jonmill]

I have the original battery in the R12RT I bought in June, '05. No problems yet. I've only got 15K miles (my /2 commands most of my loyalty), so my experience is not typical. When I am not riding, the RT stays on the dedicated BMW charger that I bought with the bike.

[gulfcoastbeemer]

I just replaced the original batteries in both my '07 R1200RT (+40K) and my wife's '05 R1200RT (+36K) with other than the BMW/Exide Gel battery.

I'm sure the BMW/Exide replacement battery is an excellent Gel battery. I just don't understand why BMW specifies a Gel battery at all.

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and Gels batteries are both considered valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, yet in extreme applications, you will find modern AGM batteries are preferred. IMHO, the structure of an AGM battery is superior to that of a Gel battery.

I selected an AGM battery from Universal Power Group, UB12220 (40696), as a replacement. It's rated at 22ah verses 19ah of the stock Gel battery. Yes, the height of the UB12220 battery is approximately 1/4" less than the stock battery -- requiring a shim to properly secure it.

Given that my local dealer feels it necessary to charge even more than the already considerable $175 MSRP for an uninstalled BMW Gel battery, I was happy to buy TWO of these AGM batteries, delivered to my door, for about HALF the cost of a SINGLE BMW battery.

[osbornk]

I just replaced the original batteries in both my '07 R1200RT (+40K) and my wife's '05 R1200RT (+36K) with other than the BMW/Exide Gel battery.

I'm sure the BMW/Exide replacement battery is an excellent Gel battery. I just don't understand why BMW specifies a Gel battery at all.

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and Gels batteries are both considered valve-regulated lead-acid batteries, yet in extreme applications, you will find modern AGM batteries are preferred. IMHO, the structure of an AGM battery is superior to that of a Gel battery.

I selected an AGM battery from Universal Power Group, UB12220 (40696), as a replacement. It's rated at 22ah verses 19ah of the stock Gel battery. Yes, the height of the UB12220 battery is approximately 1/4" less than the stock battery -- requiring a shim to properly secure it.

Given that my local dealer feels it necessary to charge even more than the already considerable $175 MSRP for an uninstalled BMW Gel battery, I was happy to buy TWO of these AGM batteries, delivered to my door, for about HALF the cost of a SINGLE BMW battery.

I got the same Universal battery from batteriesasap.com and the cost was around $57.00 delivered (delivery cost varies depending on location).

[Polarbear]

GSA1200 here and 6 months, mine started starting slower and slower and I put up with it for weeks, before I said something to BMW and they replaced it. At least they give 2 years, which is probably longer than most. Me too, on the brand X batteries, vs the BMW pricey ones. We simply have to many good choices vs what BMW provides. Seems like batteries are like hamburgers, everybody makes one:). Randy:thumb

[tonyfr]

Do you have a link to this Universal battery. I'll eventually need to change and I'd like to check them out now.

Sorry it took so long.....ebatteriestogo.com (http://ebatteriestogo.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=40696&Category_Code=)