BMW battery tender
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If you ride every day, for, say 10 miles, you should be fine. No tender necessary. Let the bike sit for two weeks, ride 10 miles, then let the bike sit for two weeks, get the tender.lcgio said:
Also consider paying pennance for only riding 10 miles very two weeks...
Tenders
Ic,
Get the right tender for the battery and electrical system you have.
Older Oilhead/K bikes (pre-2003) used lead acid batteries and can use almost any trickle charger through the accessory socket.
late-2003, 2004, and early 2005 R259 oilheads and K-RS/GT/LT use a gel battery that requires a unique charging algorithm and can be achieved with the BMW and Deltran models specified for BMW gel batteries.
2005 and 2006 Hexheads and K-S/K-R use the CAN-BUS electrics and require a special charger to be charged through the system accessory plug or a charger pigtail wired directly to the battery (and safely fused) for the AGM type batteries used in those models.
It's a 3 sided challenge to get the right charger plugged into the right port for the types of batteries there are.
Ic,
Get the right tender for the battery and electrical system you have.
Older Oilhead/K bikes (pre-2003) used lead acid batteries and can use almost any trickle charger through the accessory socket.
late-2003, 2004, and early 2005 R259 oilheads and K-RS/GT/LT use a gel battery that requires a unique charging algorithm and can be achieved with the BMW and Deltran models specified for BMW gel batteries.
2005 and 2006 Hexheads and K-S/K-R use the CAN-BUS electrics and require a special charger to be charged through the system accessory plug or a charger pigtail wired directly to the battery (and safely fused) for the AGM type batteries used in those models.
It's a 3 sided challenge to get the right charger plugged into the right port for the types of batteries there are.
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272 Posts
ICGIO,
The new BMW charger is about $115 US. The only good part about this is that it can be used for regular lead acid batteries as well (per the instructions).
Not included in the instructions is the fact that it will work with older (non CAN-BUS) outlets. It makes sense that this should be the case, but I have confirmed that it will work in "old school" outlets.
There is also a multiple bike version that the dealers use and it is in the $250 US range.
The new BMW charger is about $115 US. The only good part about this is that it can be used for regular lead acid batteries as well (per the instructions).
Not included in the instructions is the fact that it will work with older (non CAN-BUS) outlets. It makes sense that this should be the case, but I have confirmed that it will work in "old school" outlets.
There is also a multiple bike version that the dealers use and it is in the $250 US range.
Add-On to El_Barto's post:
I spoke with Svc Tech at Bob's today. He highly recommends the new BMW charger with CAN technology because of it ability to do the CAN (not sure what that is...something new is all I know) systems [basically all the new bikes] as well as backward compatible. I don't mind spending the extra $'s when it helps cover more bases.
dc in KC
I spoke with Svc Tech at Bob's today. He highly recommends the new BMW charger with CAN technology because of it ability to do the CAN (not sure what that is...something new is all I know) systems [basically all the new bikes] as well as backward compatible. I don't mind spending the extra $'s when it helps cover more bases.
dc in KC
New BMW Battery Charger
That means plugging into the 12v outlet/port. I've read the new software version creates a problem with the charging process. Charges one cycle then shuts off. No maintenance/trickle mode. Some plug directly to battery. Any ideas from you guys with updated software or newer KR's. Mine is due in February.
That means plugging into the 12v outlet/port. I've read the new software version creates a problem with the charging process. Charges one cycle then shuts off. No maintenance/trickle mode. Some plug directly to battery. Any ideas from you guys with updated software or newer KR's. Mine is due in February.
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Howdy Larry,lcgio said:
I've got a June K-R and the LT. I use the standard BMW trickle charger, not the new version for the CAN-Bus. The trickle charger come with a battery terminal connector cable with a sealed connector on the other end. It's about 18" long. If you connect it to the battery it is easy to route in out toward the front of the bike and tie wrap the end along the windscreen frame. On my bike you can't even see the cable, but I can pull it out and connect it in seconds without having to go through the NEW electrical system procedures.
My K-R sat for almost two weeks... once.....and the the battery cranked like it had a full charge. I only plug it in if I'm going to let it sit for more than a week at a stretch.
.
Battery tender for K1200R
Hey Billy,
That's re-assuring, thanks. Does anyone know, Is there a constant drain from the battery by the computer. I have had older bikes, cars sit for weeks and start up, no problem.
I've got to stop reading about all the negatives and concentrate on the many positives of the KR.
Larry
Hey Billy,
That's re-assuring, thanks. Does anyone know, Is there a constant drain from the battery by the computer. I have had older bikes, cars sit for weeks and start up, no problem.
I've got to stop reading about all the negatives and concentrate on the many positives of the KR.
Larry
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