Replacing the battery on a 2003 R1150R

[sunilsingh18]

Winter made an early exit in Minnesota and I was hoping to get the 2003 R1150R out this weekend but the battery seems to have died. I had it on a Battery Tender all winter and the light glowed green but when I tried to start it all I hear is the clicking sound. I have owned the bike for three years now and I suppose it makes sense to put in a new battery and was hoping for some opinions on what to buy.

Sunil

[towerworker]

One of the more popular batteries on this forum is the Odyssey PC-680. They're about $100 on Amazon. Using the appropriate tender (according to Odyssey) the PC-680's design life is 8-12 years. There are others but the PC-680 is the one I run. You at least want to stay with a maintenance free battery since you have to pull the tank to change it out. Interesting that you posted this when you did. My battery is 3 yrs old and I had the same experience last week. Green light on the tender but dead. I later found I had been using the wrong tender on my Odyssey.

Here's the thread...viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34064

[Wando]

My original OEM battery just died on me about a month ago or so (04 1150r 34k). I have the BMW battery tender and had it hooked up throughout the winters in Chicago but now in SoCal, I'll just plug it in if I'm going to be busy for a week. Point is, I figure if a battery can last me from August of 2003 until recently, why not get that OEM battery again. It's more expensive, but if this one lasts like the last one, it's worth every penny.

[sykospain]

When I replace my Rockster's battery, which will be soon because it's apparently fading now after 2 years, even after being on an Optimate tender in its UK garage all winter, I'll plump instead for the Lithium-Iron Ion type.

Yes, a bit more expensive than a Hawker Siddeley Odyssey, but a third of the weight - no lead - and twice the cranking power, plus that type of battery just doesn't self-discharge when left unused.

My portable DIY hand-drill sits in its little case most of its life, but because it has a Li-Ion battery, it fires up each time I pull it out of the case to use it. Unlike the many different Ni-Cad powered types of drill that I used to have which I'd charge up each time after using, only to find had gone dead 3 months later when I next needed to put a shelf up or something...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/R-1150-R-Rock ... 1e89f5be87

AL in s.e. Spain

[riceburner]

When I replace my Rockster's battery, which will be soon because it's apparently fading now after 2 years, even after being on an Optimate tender in its UK garage all winter, I'll plump instead for the Lithium-Iron Ion type.

Yes, a bit more expensive than a Hawker Siddeley Odyssey, but a third of the weight - no lead - and twice the cranking power, plus that type of battery just doesn't self-discharge when left unused.

My portable DIY hand-drill sits in its little case most of its life, but because it has a Li-Ion battery, it fires up each time I pull it out of the case to use it. Unlike the many different Ni-Cad powered types of drill that I used to have which I'd charge up each time after using, only to find had gone dead 3 months later when I next needed to put a shelf up or something...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/R-1150-R-Rock ... 1e89f5be87

AL in s.e. Spain

Let us know how you get on with the Li-ion battery - will be interesting to see the difference (if there is any!)

[towerworker]

I'm curious as well. It's my understanding that a li-on battery requires a different charging cycle vs a lead acid battery. Wondering how this is accommodated.

[P_Jensen]

I had installed a Shorai LFX lithium battery in my 04 R, big weight savings, smaller size, and more cranking amps all a plus the biggest drawback is they do not crank well in cold weather, need to be warmed-up to increase the cranking amps. Once the electrons start to flow they crank fine, they also will not sit at the bottom of the battery tray you will need to fit the included foam spacers (cut yourself) to make-up for the smaller size. The weight was like taking a gallon of gas out of the tank, you could feel the difference.

[sunilsingh18]

Update ... bought the battery my brother bikers recommended and put it into the bike. I now see that there is about a 1/4th inch play in the cradle for the battery to move around. Given the weight of the battery and the restrictions of space, I don't think it should be a problem but I am wondering if I should put in some foam spacers ??

Looking forward to some sage advice from my fellow beemer bikers

Sunil

[towerworker]

It would be a good idea to put in some sort of spacer/foam. You really should make sure the battery cannot move. I used cardboard wrapped in duck tape so the cardboard wouldn't deteriorate.

Wayne

[skylarmav1]

I did a post a few days ago.Here it is: Hopefully it helps..

I've heard a bunch about Oddessy batteries and a couple of other favorite brands. As a heads up, I just found a Power Sonic 12v. 21amp hr. 80 watts per cell. Statisticly it matches pretty close and was only $65.00. Three year warranty. Obviously time will tell but I just wanted to throw it out there.

[sykospain]

Lithium Iron Ion Battery Update - 20th March 2015

Yes, it's a bit smaller than a lead-acid or GEL battery, so that a few judiciously-placed non-deteriorating and waterproof foam pads are needed to stop the powerful little critter moving about. It rips into the starter like gangbusters every morning, although here in Spain on the Med coast where temps rarely fall below 10C on an early morning crank-up, I've not noticed any shortage of ooomph.

What a stunning power source ! posting.php?mode=reply&f=2&t=34083#
Optimate though doesn't understand it, unfortunately, so a dedicated tiny charger/monitor has been ordered.

However, this new battery solves all my previous tired-starter woes. Brilliant. Worth every penny ( or soon-to-be-resorted-to Peseta on the imminent collapse of the European Union concept ) of the Sterling 199 that it cos me.

AL in s.e. Spain

[jcordonmena]

I've been using the Ballistic EVO2 12 cell, Lithium ion battery for around three years, now. I couldn't be happier. The weight I shaved off is incredible. The cranking is sure every time. I had it installed on my 2002 R 1150 R when the gel type started to fail. I sold the 2002 because a 2006 with only 1,450 km on it was offered to me. I kept my Ballistic battery and don't regret it.