Hi All - new to forum

drummer · Post by **drummer** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 1:44 pm

Hi All -
I am new to this forum and really look forward to learning and passing along info as well.
I have a quick question for everyone here. I have been reading a great deal from this web site and others about the batteries in the R11XXR bikes. I have also been hearing a great deal from my dealer. I need some advise.

Here's the deal.

I inherited my bike - R1100R 1995 with ABS, heated grips, Russell seat, etc. My Godfather passed away, had a few bikes and left this one to me. I was riding a Honda Shadow at the time and had no idea how wonderful the BMW line was until I rode the bike from NE Penn. to North Carolina via the Blue Ridge Parkway. That was two years ago and I am hooked. The point is, I have no history to know what to expect from a BMW.

So, some symptoms of electrical problems have come up.

1 = the ABS lights flashing after the bike sits for a day, starts, and runs for five miles. Turned off, and on then the ABS lights don't flash .
2 = full charge on tuesday (gel battery), unplug the charger and Saturday comes around I only get a "click click click" when trying to start it.
3 = sometimes the charger never gets past 80% charge even after days of charging.

Others have said, its the battery. Then the dealer says, no those batteries fool chargers, its not the battery. Can't trust the BMW charger to tell you if the battery is good or not.

Any thoughts???

Post by **sjbmw** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:17 pm

Happened to me in April. My charger refused to charge my battery. Thought my charger was bad. Turns out it was the battery, it went kaput.

It was only 3 years old, but sat for almost 10 months, as I was diabled and could not ride.

Sounds like the battery to me.
How old is the battery?

PS OH, btw, WELCOME!!!!

Post by **rdsmith3** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:36 pm

I assume that the R1100R is the same as the 1150, and you have to remove the gas tank to get to the battery. Because of the age of the battery, the problems you are having, and the difficulty in servicing the battery, I would suggest just getting a new maintenance-free battery.

A lot of people like the Odyssey batteries (PC 680? for this bike?). I have a Panasonic that I got for $50 plus $10 s/h. The Odyssey will cost more. Either one is maintenance free.

Put in a new one and then don't worry about your battery for a few years.

drummer · Post by **drummer** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:37 pm

Herb,
Thanks for the reply -and for the welcome.

Part of the problem of enheriting the bike is not knowing when the battery was purchased without taking the battery out and looking for some physical reference. Since the bike needs to be inspected and a new rear tire, I am attempting to charge the bike one more time. If it starts, I will ride it directly to the dealer and leave it for them to test out. I guess my fear is having them say, "oh there's a short somewhere. The battery is fine." Then finding out later that the battery was not fine and doing a double pay.

Thanks for the info and for the record, I agree with you. Maybe I'll just take the battery out and have it tested on my own before the ride to the dealer.

hmmmm.....

drummer · Post by **drummer** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:49 pm

Bob - Thanks - I'll look into the Panasonic...

johno · Post by **johno** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:01 pm

I had a similar problem when I bought my 1150R. The previous owner didnt ride it much, and it went thru a few batteries according to him.
I replaced with a new one, a bit bigger as mine has no ABS, I modified the carrier to suit.
I leave the battery doc on all the time, and have had no problems in the last 6 months.
I usually ride every weekend anyway, so keeps charge up.
So, as suggested, replace the battery, and then you will know that part is OK.
And welcome