Cheap jumper cables

[henzilla]

I have heard about that on newer F650GS models, but mine is a 2003 and there is no mention of this in the manual and don't see anything under the seat that looks like a likely candidate for a jump terminal. I would love to be proven wrong on this, though, so if anyone has a 2003 model and knows how to locate this terminal, I would love to hear about it.

I assumed they figured out that jump terminals are needed from customer feedback.

It shows in the '03 parts fiche located with the E -Box, doesn't guarantee it's there...not listed in the Riders Manual but in the Maintenace Instructions booklet

[gblawler]

It shows in the '03 parts fiche located with the E -Box, doesn't guarantee it's there...not listed in the Riders Manual but in the Maintenace Instructions booklet

I just checked my Maintenance book and I am missing it if it is there. Inside the front cover it has:

01 47 7 671 051
09.2001
4th edition US / RF

If 09.2001 designates September of 2001, it could be that they recycled the manual from the 2002 version (guessing the 2002 year model came out in the fall of 2001). If that is the case, they may have added the feature in 2003 and my manual is not up to date.

Do you have a page number where this is mentioned?

[JDOCKERY132445]

[QUOTE=gblawler;741123]The TV ad I saw for the cigarette lighter charge cord said that 15 minutes is usually enough time to get enough charge to start a car. Never tried it, so I do not know for sure, but I have had a lot of times when I put a car on a battery charger for only half an hour and it started.


I saw a TV ad for a cream that would make me beautiful; but I did not buy it.

Seriously, if it ONLY took 15 minutes; how many strangers in a parking lot would give you 15 minutes of their time?

When my battery died because of some mysterious dead short while we were having lunch, it was DEAD. Nothing would work. Not even the digital clock. IT WAS DEAD.

Paul's jumper cables [very similar to the ones I bought] did the job quickly and without having to remove a bunch of plastic from my R1100RT. I removed the seat. The ends are small enough to reach the terminals which are up under the tank. We ran the cable to a BMW sedan and it was cranked in less than 2 minutes. The battery has died one more time since then; but it was in my garage when it did it. I cannot find the problem. The battery tests out fine and since it is an intermittent problem, I cannot identify it.


I will NEVER leave home again without my cables.

The advice you receive on TV might differ; but mine is based on real life and experience.

[lmo1131]

Standard stranded cable can get pretty stiff at AWG 4 - 8...

Just curious... is anyone aware of a "braided" conductor (i.e. ground cable (but with insulation)) suitable for jumper cables? It would be a lot more flexible...

[MOTORRADMIKE]

Standard stranded cable can get pretty stiff at AWG 4 - 8...

Just curious... is anyone aware of a "braided" conductor (i.e. ground cable (but with insulation)) suitable for jumper cables? It would be a lot more flexible...

Check a welding supplier.
I'm not sure they'd have small enough cable but the big stuff is pretty flexible.

[Rpbump]

The R1200 CL & CLC have a ground and + terminal on the 2004 models that are easy to access and use. To charge my bike while its sitting in the garage I use one of the two power outlets just below the seat on the left side of the bike. You can buy a wired connector or make up your own. Easy to use and requires no addition or changes to the bikes wiring.

[PGlaves]

Neither my 2001 F650 Dakar nor Voni's F800S has any means of accessing the battery power (at any significant amperage for jump-starting) without removing plastic. When I bought my F650 it had a heavy gauge wire from the +12v battery post run to an insulated and covered post at an accessible location under the seat. I added a similar wire to Voni's F800S. Pop the seat and there it is. Use any good chassis ground for the negative cable clamp.

[JDOCKERY132445]

Neither my 2001 F650 Dakar nor Voni's F800S has any means of accessing the battery power (at any significant amperage for jump-starting) without removing plastic. When I bought my F650 it had a heavy gauge wire from the +12v battery post run to an insulated and covered post at an accessible location under the seat. I added a similar wire to Voni's F800S. Pop the seat and there it is. Use any good chassis ground for the negative cable clamp.

I have a buddy who did a similar thing to his. After having to be jumped twice on one trip, he said he had to find a better way to jump the bike. I love the way bikers go about finding ways to keep their bikes on the road.

[gblawler]

Neither my 2001 F650 Dakar nor Voni's F800S has any means of accessing the battery power (at any significant amperage for jump-starting) without removing plastic. When I bought my F650 it had a heavy gauge wire from the +12v battery post run to an insulated and covered post at an accessible location under the seat. I added a similar wire to Voni's F800S. Pop the seat and there it is. Use any good chassis ground for the negative cable clamp.

I would be interested in any details you could provide about a clean and neat install like yours. I was thinking about just running an insulated 8 gauge solid copper wire to a place under the seat. I am interested in what you used for the "covered post at an accessible location under the seat". That sounds better than trying to clamp a jumper cable to a wire. What did you use for the "covered post"?

[lmo1131]

I was thinking about just running an insulated 8 gauge solid copper wire

Definitely don't want to use SOLID copper... too prone to vibration and breakage; stranded copper would be mo'betta.