Trickle Charger recommendation

[jclanin]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie.... proud new owner of an '04 ABS R1150R (thanks Richard!). Love the bike. I'll have lot's of questions for sure.

To start:

What's the best trickle charger for this bike?
I'm getting a slight whining noise when engaging either brake - is this normal for an ABS bike?

that's all for now... thanks,

JC

--I'll post pics soon...

[OU812]

http://batterytender.com/selection_guide.php

[owldaddy]

The whining noise is normal, your hearing the pump move brake fluid around. As far as the battery tender goes, you should have a gel battery in a 2004, so just make sure the battery tender you get is rated for that battery. I bought a BMW (made by Deltran to BMW's specs) tender, I know it is a few bucks more, but I knew I had the right one for the job.
Don

[cricman]

I have used a Battery Doc for the last 3 years, and it has saved me over $100. How do I know? Because I killed the first battery due to infrequent riding habits. Since then, I have had no problems with my second battery. Its small, gel friendly, and came with the correct adapter for the BMW accessory outlet.

cricman

[towerworker]

The Battery Tender Jr is a very good charger for the gel BMW battery. Inexpensive as well.

Wayne

[Hawkman]

+1 Battery Tender Jr

[jclanin]

I have used a Battery Doc for the last 3 years, and it has saved me over $100. How do I know? Because I killed the first battery due to infrequent riding habits. Since then, I have had no problems with my second battery. Its small, gel friendly, and came with the correct adapter for the BMW accessory outlet.

cricman

So you just plug the Battery Doc directly into the accessory outlet - you don't have to connect to the battery? I assume you got the Sport Battery Doc?

thanks,

JC

[MartinW]

have always used an Optimate trickle charger on mine.

still using the originally supplier battery on my '02 R which is now over 6 years old.

[snowprick]

have always used an Optimate trickle charger on mine.

still using the originally supplier battery on my '02 R which is now over 6 years old.

+1

[cricman]

So you just plug the Battery Doc directly into the accessory outlet - you don't have to connect to the battery? I assume you got the Sport Battery Doc?

thanks,

JC

Hey JC, You can plug it into the accessory outlet, or it also has the means to wire a fused pigtail to the battery. I think it is the Battery Doc Sport. I got it from the local (Fort Worth, TX) BMW dealer and paid $39 for mine in 2005. They are about $35 and shipping on ebay. If you go to their website, there is a review from BMW Owners News:

http://www.batterydoc.com/pressh.htm

cricman

[jclanin]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys! I can tell this will be a great resource as I learn about the bike.

Heading to North GA for a long ride tomorrow - weather permitting... Can't wait!

JC