Is it normal for the battery to go flat after about 8 days of no use? Alarm wasn't on!
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Flat battery
- Discussion starter Boiled Octopus
- Start date
RhoXS
Active member
No. Seems like you've got a parasitic loss or maybe just a bad battery. Have you installed any electrical accessories?
- Discussion starter
- #3
I do have a USB phone charger in the din plug, but obviously take the phone out when not on the bike. Also have the datatag tracker system, but not activated yet...
Battery was down to about 11 volts. Currently on charge.
Battery was down to about 11 volts. Currently on charge.
RhoXS
Active member
I thought the DIN outlets on the BMW were turned off when the bike was off. I'd try removing the USB charger. I know the charger in my car stays energized as long as the socket is hot.
Most likely a bad battery.
Most likely a bad battery.
Ulrich
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2022
- Messages
- 1,805
- Location
- Southern Oregon
- Bike
- BMW R18 FE / '66 Pan-Shovel
The outlet should turn off @30 seconds or so after you turn off the bike ...
- Discussion starter
- #6
Great minds. Already done. Had to jump start and gave the bike a good run. Voltage at 13 when I switched off. Will check the reading tomorrow and see if it's gone down a lot.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2021
- Messages
- 744
- Location
- South of France
- Bike
- 2020 R 18 First edition, and 2x 2005 R1200C Montauk
How old is the battery.
II had to renew mine with the same symptoms.
Almost 4 years old.
II had to renew mine with the same symptoms.
Almost 4 years old.
- Discussion starter
- #8
Hi Gerard. Bike is a 2021 R18 FE. So looks like it may have a similar problem to yours perhaps.
When I had the M109R, the stock battery stopped holding charge after 8 years or so. I replaced it with a Motobatt one which was about £70.00 8 or 9 years ago. That was one hell of a battery. Much much better than the factory model, plenty of power and never missed a bit. The starter motor cranked without delay or hesitation first time every time .
- Discussion starter
- #10
Thanks Anibal - my next question was going to be about recommendations on new battery type!
- Discussion starter
- #12
Cheers buddy. And this definitely fits the R18 FE? Assuming it's just a straight swap without any electrical gremlin faff?!
RhoXS
Active member
I had bad experiences with Ever start and Moto Batt in my Victory. Moto Batt Was bad in less than 8 months.
Ended up going with Yuasa. They tend to be expensive but they are made well and last a long time. Given the importance of a battery on big twin bikes, I'll never own anything else.
Yuasa GYZ32HL fits the R18 and is $280US at RevZilla.
Ended up going with Yuasa. They tend to be expensive but they are made well and last a long time. Given the importance of a battery on big twin bikes, I'll never own anything else.
Yuasa GYZ32HL fits the R18 and is $280US at RevZilla.
If you go to eBay and add your vehicle to your garage it will tell you if it fits or not. I did that with the M109R and it fitted like a glove. You may want to shop around in case you find better alternatives.
I hear you and there is always a possibility that the one you purchased was damaged?
I can only talk by experience and the one I bought never needed topping up (kept on a trickle charger) even during winter, although I used the bike all year round. The battery was spot on for a good five years until I sold the bike and never gave me any issues. The seller has 99.5% satisfaction/ positive feedback and looking at the items they have sold that number speaks volumes.
I can’t guarantee anything, I can only pass on my feedback, the very same way you have, which is what the forum is all about, sharing experiences and best practices so other members can make an informed decision.
RhoXS
Active member
The Victory touring bikes are notoriously hard on their electrical systems. I've had to replace the starter motor on both of the Vics I own. It's possible the MotoBatt was damaged, but wouldn't that have been apparent early? I tried ONE Walmart Everstart battery and that was a disaster. Had to replace it in under a month. Finally ordered the Yuasa and it's going on 4 years and still tests strong.I hear you and there is always a possibility that the one you purchased was damaged?
I can only talk by experience and the one I bought never needed topping up (kept on a trickle charger) even during winter, although I used the bike all year round. The battery was spot on for a good five years until I sold the bike and never gave me any issues. The seller has 99.5% satisfaction/ positive feedback and looking at the items they have sold that number speaks volumes.
I can’t guarantee anything, I can only pass on my feedback, the very same way you have, which is what the forum is all about, sharing experiences and best practices so other members can make an informed decision.
I can't say for sure that the BMW will punish batteries as bad, but I'm pleased with the Yuasa under fire.
- Discussion starter
- #17
Ordered yesterday. Thanks for help Anibal! Will update on how the bike reacts.
Good stuff. On the M109R the electronics were simple, and the only LED were on the tail light. On the R18 , since we have a plethora of electronics, chances are that these will put a bit more demand on the battery but I suspect the battery will cope very well with this demand.
Do keep us posted to see how things develops.
Do keep us posted to see how things develops.
- Discussion starter
- #19
Just swapping battery over. They seem to be completely different sizes. Back to the drawing board I guess!
When you ordered, did you add your bike to your garage to check if the item fit? If you did and eBay confirmed it did fit, then you can ask for a full refund.