Hi just getting feedback on how long they usually last this ones just 2 years old and if anyone has used gel batterys and lifespan etc. pete

Hi Ya Pete haven't seen that pretty face for a while.
I have been getting 5-6 years from those batteries. I did have to replace one at 3 years but the bike had a discharge problem with the ABS which has been fixed.

I'm using an AGM ( absorbed Glass Mat ) battery now , an Odyssey PC680 , I believe MOTOBATT AGM's are cheaper but I havn't personally used them , much lighter , completely sealed , don't know about Gel .

Anyone ?

JR

Melbourne Australia

I've got this (AGM type) on fitted to my RS. Been there for over 2 years. Trickle charged between rides. No issues at all.

gell batteries dry out ...eventually ..and there is no way to replace the fluids-gell

my experience is in the alarm industry ...so i have seen many that hold a charge but not verry good at supplying current after about 4 years .

probably not reccomended if you do lots of long distance riding ....(boil off factor )

but for infrequent casual riding should be ok ...just dont try to charge them really fast

hope that helps elle

charlie99 wrote:gell batteries dry out ...eventually ..and there is no way to replace the fluids-gell

but for infrequent casual riding should be ok ...just dont try to charge them really fast

hope that helps elle

+1

They are not long lived sub zero temperatures either, from experience.

88

Just looked at the receipt for the outfit's last battery. It's a good old fashioned 'wet' top-up-able Varta that's been there for 5 years and still going strong.

Paul.

My last K still had the same battery as it came with after 5 years and was still ok when I sold it.
Current (pardon the pun) K has the battery it came with after sitting for nearly 2 years and still starts fine all year round.
Both normal wet batteries, but I do use an Optimate trickle charger when they are parked in the shed.

Odyssey batteries were in favour with many GS owners for years believing that they were better than the standard sealed-for-life OE battery. It took a while but many have come to the conclusion that Odyssey are no better and certainly not worth the extra money.

In a K, I prefer the normal 'wet' type battery. To begin with they fit better so that means it cannot move about in the tray, I like being able to check the level and monitor the electrolyte specific gravity from time to time. Finally, they're cheaper and unlike a GS which is more likely to end-up on its side (if used as intended and not just for the weekend shopping run) where being sealed is a benefit.

I managed to pick-up a BMW battery tender second-hand some years ago. It has certainly extended the life of the batteries that have been in my bikes over the years. I know that Optimate is well thought of but the one that I had before the BMW tender didn't fill me with confidence. Unlike some battery tenders that just constantly trickle-charge, the BMW one (according to the instructions) will replicate normal use when standing by loading the battery as well as charging it.

Gel cell batteries require a different float voltage to maintain their charge than conventional wet batteries or AGM batteries require. If the bike's voltage regulator, and your battery tender are not designed for a gel cell battery, it will be sent to an eary and costly death.

There is a company in the US called East Penn Manufacturing that sells auto and motorcycle batteries under their own in house "Deka" brand name, as the OEM battery for most US manufactured cars and Harley Davidsons, and as the house brand for Parts Plus auto parts stores. They spec out superior to any of the competitive AGM batteries and if you buy one from an auto parts store like Parts Plus, cost a good deal less than the so called premium batteries such as Optima (something I learned ruefully comparing the price and specs of an Optima battery in one Audi to the Deka battery I ended up buying for the other Audi). A battery from Deka would be my recommendation. Otherwise it is hard to fault the stock BMW battery for durability, but you pay for it.

Read and learn.

[url=http://batterytender.com/resources/battery-basics.htm/]http://batterytender.com/resources/battery-basics.htm/[/url]

Now we can have an informed discussion.

Link doesn't work for me

Comes up as 404 no page.

404 no page.

It looks like can't have an informed discussion...sorry folks, but we may have to close this thread...

...unless we can all discuss about what we have learnt about batteries through experience over the years.

The link that wasn't working is HERE

I really don't consider that we need to read all that to give our opinion regards the original question.

sidecar paul wrote:Just looked at the receipt for the outfit's last battery. It's a good old fashioned 'wet' top-up-able Varta that's been there for 5 years and still going strong.

Paul.

I just replaced the old type lead acid battery in a K75s that was new in 2006, it was on the way out and most likely would have failed this winter as it had showed some signs of failure recently. The barrery was never kept on a tender and the bike was ridden often but also had 3-4 weeks of not being used on occasions. Just sayin

This is what I have. 61212346800

Has 4/10 on the back. Works like a charm. Expensive, but I didn't have to buy it. Never charged it.

Over the years I have used many batteries on the different BMWs. Some came from the factory with gel battery fitted as standard. Never had a problem with them, neither do I believe that one needs a different charger for a gel, the R1100S has the same charging system on the early bikes (wet battery) as on the late bikes (gel battery).
I love the Odyssey AGM battery. I have fitted one to my aircraft and find that it has no problem spinning up the 100hp 4 cylinder engine even in freezing weather after being left unused for months.
When I need a new battery for the K it will be the Odyssey.

I know when I stuffed a battery by having an old battery tender which overcharged it, silly me I did not check the float voltage I assumed it was OK and made an ass out of me for sure .

I talked to my friendly parts man at our BMW official dealer and he said they had an unacceptably high failure rate for brand new BMW batteries and he recommend a YUASA battery which I researched and then bought, it is a conventional wet battery and has been good as gold for the two years since.

I bought a CTEK charger and have it on charge whenever I am not riding. There has been quite a bit of discussion on this list about battery types in the past and has been said in this link absorbed glass mat and gell type batteries are not really able to be topped up whereas a wet battery can be. I voted with my wallet and went with the recommended YUASA.
Regards,
K-BIKE

I'm running a Panasonic LC-X1228P UPS battery with great success. 28AH, same size as a K battery. 5 years in now, its never had a problem even though the sidecar can be parked for moths. Doesn't get regularly charged either. It cost much less than most equivalent motorcyle AGM batteries.
The BMW/Exide in my wifes F650GS was shit from day one and needed to be charged often if the bike was to be used. Replaced with a better battery now (AGM of some sort) and it's fine the bike just goes when we want it to. The Odyssey in the R1150R has been good but probably near the end of its life now.
I prefer AGM over Gel as they have a higher CCA rating (better cold starting) and don't need any different chargers. Also they have very high vibration resistance. A gel battery charged with a normal charger can overheat and cook the gel, this doesnt kill the battery vut does reduce its capacity

Thanks for all the views guys. Live just off moors here so freezing winds etc. The one ive got to replace (2 days slow charge and started her up fine two days later not even juice for horn!) is a lead wet exide started to play up a little last year (needed boost pack a couple of times) even when still used as regular commute. Original battery that came off when purchased had no idea of age etc. Just looking to get some feedback to see if worth forking out that bit extra. Every bike ive had here has drained wet batterys from a RXS 100 cb400n cb250n and now bmw!
cheers pete

My original battery in my '91 lasted for thirteen years. I did not believe it at first but checked the manufactured date to confirm it. Admittedly it was ridden intermittently after the first few years and I always used distilled water when topping up. Queensland weather, so relatively mild compared to some on the forum.

Dave.

I've been using Odysseys from Motorworks for a few years now. They've been excellent & stand deep discharging when I forget to recharge over winter. I've got 4 of them on the go now & am happy with them on a variety of bikes.
Only thing is that when my first one died after over 8 years it did so really suddenly & I needed to scrounge a push to bump start the K100.
Replaced it with the same.