Hey...another battery thread!

[iowabeakster]

Rather than hijack...I'll start my own.

My stock battery had been flawless in over 5 years. Never a hard start...no slow cranking...today it was flat dead. It wouldn't even light the little parking light. I had to enlist the help of Amy to push it back up the driveway and into the garage. I did verify that it wasn't the key switch or anything. Amy also let me ride her bike today.

Note to self...do not wait to start the bike until I've already started down the driveway.

I'm not gonna bother trying to recharge. I know it'll strand me if I try to ride it anywhere.

I know how much folks recommend the Odyssey. I've been doing the search...and it's all about the PC680. But, for 90 bucks that Westco at Beemer Boneyard has this cheapskate's attention. On paper it has more juice...and doesn't need adapters or need to bend up the terminals. HAS ANYBODY TRIED ONE?

I guess the extra year of warranty from the Odyssey has some appeal...but the Westco comes with a Free tankful of gas.

[dnat928]

I bought the Odessey battery. I kept reading about the termial adapters, or whatever. When I installed the battery, all I needed to do was bend the existing terminal ends, that's all, problem solved, just that easy. Oops, while visiting friends, I left the the key in the on position for 45 minutes. Came out, noticed, tried to start up and...vroom...no problem. What else do you need???

[Marty2]

I guess I'm a cheapskate also as I had the same thoughts. I went with the Westco and installed it last weekend. It dropped right in but I had to add a 3/8' shim under the hold down strap. The Westco is just a little shorted than the OEM. It starts the R just fine. Time will tell if I made the right choice.

Marty

[Sunbeemer]

My bike had one installed ust before I bought it (used), which lasted 2 1/2 years before there was a (what I thought) was a decrease in cranking speed when it turned cooler, so I swapped it out then. But I have since had it on a trickle charger and it still holds a charge, so maybe I was premature in swapping it.

Seems like you never know with motorcycle batteries how long they'll last, even batteries from the same brand can give varying results. I have an Odyssey now and no worries...priceless!

[iowabeakster]

Thanks guys for the responses.

I spent most of last night reading countless battery threads on 1150.Net, ADV, BMW Sport-touring, MOA, Anton L. and everywhere esle I could find.

Reading reports about battery failure is inconlusive since we never know the persons riding habits, charging habits, farkles, etc. So that no other fool needs to waste pointless hours doing the same thing, my unscientific research leads me to these conclusions...

If cost in no object... the best Batteries are the BMW OEM, and the Odyssey. There were very few reports of early failure with these. Very few complaints about difficult starting or ABS low voltage warnings with these batteries.

*The only exception to this was the Hex-Heads. Tons of people suffered dead batteries at 2 years on the Hex heads. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing it might have to do with the Can-bus system and/or improper farkle wiring.

The Westco (a.k.a. Panasonic) gave a good number of people problems after 2-3 years. Especially with ABS low-voltage warnings. There were a good number of reports of Westcos failing around the 3 year mark.

The generic chinese AGM battery requires modification to terminals and suffered the most early failures. They are cheap! But with most frequent failures...Towing and hassle costs must be considered. This is not an option for me.

Don't bother with the flooded type batteries...unless you enjoy pulling the tank off...and don't mind the risk of acid spills. It's just not a good option with the BMW-battery-under-the-tank arrangement.

Since COST IS AN OBJECT:

BMW OEM $188
Odyssesy $120 (with L terminals and shipping)
Westco $90 (plus shipping)

...I'm going to go with the Odyssey...Yes, I know...you all knew that already...
I'm just the type of person who needs to do things for myself.

[baltm604]

MY maint free oem from chicago bmw lasted 5 years, it was no where near $188.00. replace the stock acid filled that lasted maybe 18 months.

Bill

[twindave]

has anyone tried one of these?

http://www.fastcycleparts.com/showprodu ... ectionid=0

http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-12V20P ... 010&sr=1-1

[MattPie]

MY maint free oem from chicago bmw lasted 5 years, it was no where near $188.00. replace the stock acid filled that lasted maybe 18 months.

Bill

My OEM Gel battery (Exide, I think) is just over 5 years old, and still works. I'm a bad battery parent: I don't put it on the tender unless it won't start the bike during the season. I've only had the tender for the last 2 years, otherwise I'd just let it sit for 2 months or so that I don't ride and jump it. And, I think the battery tender is the wrong one. Deltran sells a 'normal' and a 'gel', with slightly different voltage numbers (14.7 vs 14.4 sounds right, but I'd have to dig up the email). I have no electrical farkle other than a BMW accessory LED taillight (3A fuse) and a Signal minder.

I also have all the original bulbs, although the tach backlight just died recently.

[iowabeakster]

Matt,

I was a somewhat better battery parent. I really never used the battery tender from April to October. It did sit several weeks and up to a month sometimes during the warm part of the year. I did use the charger every winter. It was always started strong, and I never had the ABS warning issue.

I only used the jumper cables once...to start my car!

Then at 5 years and 2 months of ownership (manufactured 04/04)...completely dead.

[Biff's R]

I installed a Westco a couple of weeks ago replacing the OEM. I used a leftover piece of the rubber for the bottom of the garage door to shim it in and keep the strap tight.

I also changed the fuel line quick disconnects while I had the tank off.

[owldaddy]

MY 5 year old OEM battery is giving me notice that the end is near (slower cranking). I have purchased a PC 680 already. Seems 5 years is about normal for this battery.