AGM batteries vs. Gel

[sparlash]

Just to clear up some confusion, when the battery indicator comes on at starting and stays lit for five to ten seconds this only means that at some point, you let your battery discharge down to a level where the computer logged it as a fault. Even though you may have since charged your battery and everything now works fine, the fault is still going to show until you take your bike to the dealer and hook it up to the computer at which time the fault will be removed. Do not confuse this indicator at start up with the current state of your battery. That will have to be measured separately. This is just one of those little glitches that keeps you going back to the dealer for expensive antedotes.

FYI

[Cambridge K]

Has anyone tried a Westco - 12V14B AMG SRV 275 Amp battery ?

[Ed F K]

Dealer did a battery test, and battery was bad. It lasted almost three years.

[SHIVA]

Do you guys have a preference for AGM batteries listed below?

$157


$83


$135 non AGM


$89


$84

[SHIVA]

I went ahead and got a BMW AGM to put in my K12RS today. It's charging now! The OE Gel battery had died due to bike being in storage for too long. Will see if there are any complications in trying to fit the AGM in the housing on the K12RS which is made for larger batteries. I'll keep you guys posted.

[kerch57]

I perfer the AGM battery and when I ned a new one think that Scorpion price looks real good as long as amps are correct.

[kerch57]

Also Shiva if the spot is to big try some hard dense rubber for filler. Works great and will not hold moisture. If you didn't know about it they sellit here at northern tool stores.

[SHIVA]

the AGM is definitely smaller than the Gel, it's also shorter by about 2" and lighter by about 2 pounds but it's the same depth. So shorter in height, narrower in width but same in depth. I may need to compensate for the height difference, then again maybe not, I have to check tonight. thanks for the advise.

[kerch57]

Thats why were all here isn't for free advise and different views.

[SHIVA]

no time to install the battery tonight and tomorrow night is the Ear Inn bike night, it may need to wait until Wednesday eve. sorry.

[SHIVA]

The following is about fitting the BMW AGM in a K1200RS and not the K1300S. The K1300S already comes with AGM and the housing is made to fit that battery. The BMW AGM battery is shorter and slightly stubbier than the normal Gel battery. Also, with the AGM, you can bolt on the contacts either on top or on the side. With Gel you can only screw the contacts on the side.

Having said that, it took just a little bit of effort to fit the battery in the slightly narrower housing on the K12RS. I haven't connected the battery to the bike yet, because I ran into a problem as soon as both cables were connected the bike wanted to start and this is with the ignition totally off, key out and kill switch on. I'll look into it tomorrow and ask around, unless someone has a idea why the bike is doing that. If I turn the key on and connect the battery cables the bike starts right up (without pressing the start button). hmmm I have swapped plenty of batteries and never ran into this problem before. My apologies for discussing a K12RS in a K12S/K13S Tech section, but this thread ultimately is about AGM batteries, so it is related.

[kerch57]

I'd say it's the ignition switch start contact stuck in the on position. Don't know if it's disassemblable but that's where I'd start.

[SHIVA]

ignition switch start contact stuck in the on position

makes sense, will look into it. thanks.

[Eka]

I bet it's the solenoid in starter. Electric motor takes bigger current, when it starts and less after it starts to rotate. If you start with weak battery and it doesn't start to rotate, but you hear the click when solenoid moves, then that solenoid might weld connectors together caused by that high current, if you push start-button long enough. Solenoid is that smaller tube beside starter motor.

Try to knock it with small hammer or something. If it doesn't help, then try something bigger hammer. If it doesn't work, try new solenoid.

[kerch57]

That also may be the problem but the new ways solenoids and starters are made when hit with hammers and things internal parts can be cracked and then new part is needed. The new stuff isn't like the old stuff had a friend try this move on his car and then mech told him he crack the solenoid so he needed new and when replaced mech showed him where it was cracked.To bad some things aren't made same as they were in the old days.

[Eka]

Correction:
Try to knock it very gently with small hammer or something. If it doesn't help, then try something bigger. After you break it, buy new solenoid.

[SHIVA]

LOL.... that's good. I ordered a new starter relay

[kpavey]

Just installed a Motobatt (yellow) MBX12U (I think), original battery still going after 5 years (using BMW charger) but a long trip (and the thought of no power assisted brakes) made me update now.

There's a good test of this vs others on line, check it out. The 8 month storage plus 25 starts of a V twin 1400cc sold me on the Motobatt.

[konacyclist]

After reading this thread, I thought I should put my two cents in. This Fall I had my battery checked at the dealer with their fancy battery checker, which naturally said my battery was failing. At that time it had never failed to start but I suspected it was not turning the motor over as energetically as it did when it was new. I sprung for a new BMW battery at the dealer. Upon getting the bike back I swear it was not only starting quicker but also running better and this from a bike with no obvious battery problems. From this thread, I see many of you are looking for a way to save a few dollars or improve on the performance of the stock BMW battery. It would appear that the bike is sensitive to the voltage/amperage/electronic load of the battery. Sensitive enough that a fresh battery with no other changes can cause the bike to run noticeably better. In my opinion, the best answer is to stick with the BMW battery and get the correct BMW charger and use it when you aren't able to frequently ride. It has been said that the cheapest thing on a BMW is the rider.

[Mirage_ZA]

This Fall I had my battery checked at the dealer with their fancy battery checker, which naturally said my battery was failing. At that time it had never failed to start but I suspected it was not turning the motor over as energetically as it did when it was new. I sprung for a new BMW battery at the dealer. Upon getting the bike back I swear it was not only starting quicker but also running better and this from a bike with no obvious battery problems.

I serviced my bike recently (60.000km service) and one of the faults cleared was low voltage - it usually happens when you crank to start and battery voltage dips down. As bike is 3 years old now I am considering replacing the battery - I know it may have some life in it but it not holding the charge as new (normal ageing). I agree that bike would run better with new battery - if voltage is even slightly higher you will have more energy for your plugs = stronger spark.

[kpavey]

Just need to be careful on the assumption that new battery = better running. You are resetting all the adaptive learn values in doing a battery change and it is not the sole cause of the better running.

[Mirage_ZA]

Just need to be careful on the assumption that new battery = better running. You are resetting all the adaptive learn values in doing a battery change and it is not the sole cause of the better running.

They won't reset if you do quick swop. Indication that reset has been performed is your clock - if it's showing correct time, values are still stored. I was just trying to say that 12.2V charged battery will not give you same spark as 14.4V

[darthvader]

has anyone tried the LiFePo4 batt type ?

seem to save 3 to 3,5 kgs

[Bernardo]

has anyone tried the LiFePo4 batt type ?

In development stage..

Andy (nemesis.ie) said something here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14959

[mondrage]

You guys should check out the newest type of batteries: ferrous lithium batteries.
have more crank, and weigh only 20% or less of the same type of lead-based battery.
SHORAI is the japanese manufacturer who has taken the lead in this technology.
They can sit for a whole year, without losing charge. Half the size, 20% the weight.

Check them out.