BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Buried under the tank of my 2004 R1150R, sits an Odyssey Extreme battery; it's a year and a few months old. I keep it connected to a solar charger which usually maintains it over 13 volts. The bike sat for 2 or 3 weeks. Yesterday I took a reading with my multi-meter. Shock !! The meter read 5.4 V. I connected another meter - about the same reading. Oh no...the battery is shot ! turned the ignition key...the headlight was bright....pressed the starter button, which produced a strong hit from the battery and the bike started right up. I let it idle for 5 minutes and took a reading...13.5 volts. Took another reading a few hours later....13.1 volts - a bit lower but it had gotten colder. This seems strange to me. In the past, if a battery read below 12 volts, the starter would turn slowly and not start the bike. The battery is an AGM. I have a vague notion what that means. Would that have something to do with this behavior ? It seems I have a Sleeping Beauty that needs to be kissed to life by the ignition. I hope someone can explain this to me.

Can't say anything about your problem. I do know Odyssey Batteries aren't what they use to be a few years ago. I've switch to a new brand which has been very good.

Where did you take the voltagr reading ??

Wires from the battery terminals meet at a SAE connector. That's where I plug in my solar charger and take voltage ( and amp ) readings. BTW, as of late yesterday, battery read in the high 13s. It's just warm enough here in St Louis for a ride - thinking of taking her for a spin.