Replacement battery: Any opinions on the Odyssey ODS-AGM16L (PC680) for my ‘02 R1150RT?

[tangoalpha]

Hi Guys and Gals.

Long time no talk! I hope this finds you all in good health and that you’re doing great. It’s been awhile since my last post as work and family have kept me quite busy and away from wrenching and riding my bike.

As my bike has sat in the garage waiting for me to find the time and courage to undertake replacement of the clutch slave cylinder and gear position sensor, besides collecting dust, the battery has given up the ghost. I’ve always used a Battery Tender and started up the bike on the weekend just to keep the fluids circulating and the seals from drying out. Well…that was up until a couple months ago when the factory BMW battery flatlined. I last replaced it in 2019 so I’m not disappointed to be replacing it 6 years later.

In reading the forum pages I’ve noticed that some of you have upgraded to the Odyssey PC680 and have had good results in terms of cranking power and longevity. I have a few questions about this battery as a possible replacement.

1) Is the PC680 an exact fit? Or will I have to retrofit the battery box somehow to accommodate the Odyssey?

2) Will this battery work with my Battery Tender Plus charger? I couldn’t find anything on the Odyssey website that refers to compatible chargers, well…besides their own, of course.

3) Given that there may be newer and better options on the market, is there a battery that you’d recommend?

As always…I’m looking forward to hearing your insights and whatever feedback you have to offer. I sure have missed you guys. I hope to get Der Beemer back out on the road again soon.

 

[AntonLargiader]

I used the PC680 for years (sold dozens and dozens of them) and they are great performers but not an exact fit. They are shorter and you have to use terminal adapters or bend the cable ends which I wouldn't do. I have since switched over to the Yuasa YT19BL (usually sold as the YT19BL-BS) which was designed specifically to replace the OEM BMW battery. It is also a very good performer in my experience. Probably not better than the 680; both are simply very good batteries. But the height and terminal configuration of the YT19 is correct.

 

[tangoalpha]

Thanks for that feedback on the Yuasa battery. I was checking that unit out last night online. The fact that it’s an exact fit it a huge plus in my book. Very good to know.

With your Odyssey batteries in the past, what did you do to overcome the shorter height? How did you strap it down?

 

[paul_f]

I have recently replaced my Odyssesy PC680 with the ODS-AGM 16L. The fit is exactly the same as the PC680. It has not been long enough to determine if this is a better battery than the PC680.

I've been using the PC680 for years on both bikes and after seven years I pro-actively replace them, rather than chancing a failure on a ride. They have never let me down. Hoping the replacement is just as reliable.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Thanks for that feedback on the Yuasa battery. I was checking that unit out last night online. The fact that it’s an exact fit it a huge plus in my book. Very good to know.

With your Odyssey batteries in the past, what did you do to overcome the shorter height? How did you strap it down?

I made strips of wood that went under the battery straps of the Oilheads to take up the slack. K-bikes and Airheads there was usually enough adjustment in the rubber straps or the threaded tie-downs that I didn't need to make anything.

 

[tangoalpha]

I have recently replaced my Odyssesy PC680 with the ODS-AGM 16L. The fit is exactly the same as the PC680. It has not been long enough to determine if this is a better battery than the PC680.

I've been using the PC680 for years on both bikes and after seven years I pro-actively replace them, rather than chancing a failure on a ride. They have never let me down. Hoping the replacement is just as reliable.

Are these L terminal adapters the same that you used for your Odyssey battery? https://datastore.odysseybattery.com/products/adapter-kit/

I made strips of wood that went under the battery straps of the Oilheads to take up the slack. K-bikes and Airheads there was usually enough adjustment in the rubber straps or the threaded tie-downs that I didn't need to make anything.

From how you describe it with the wood strips going under the battery strap, it sounds as though you put the wood strips on TOP of the battery not under it? Is that correct? I’d that was the approach you took, was that in order to prevent the terminals from making any contact with a metal surface on the bike, using the wood as a barrier? Or did I just misread that and you placed the wood strips under the battery?

 

[gregfeeler]

I have recently replaced my Odyssesy PC680 with the ODS-AGM 16L. The fit is exactly the same as the PC680. It has not been long enough to determine if this is a better battery than the PC680.

I've been using the PC680 for years on both bikes and after seven years I pro-actively replace them, rather than chancing a failure on a ride. They have never let me down. Hoping the replacement is just as reliable.

Paul,
I have been using Odyssey PC680s for decades and they have been lasting me about 8 to 11 years. When they do start to go you know because the time they keep a charge starts to shorten, but that takes a very long time to progress - so long that I wouldn't be concerned about being on a trip with an "old" Odyssey battery as long as it would keep a charge for a week or longer - which is a short time for an Odyssey as you know. Naturally, I'd put in a new one before leaving on a trip, but in my experience I've never had one even come close to a sudden or catastrophic failure. Probably the only battery brand I've ever use that I completely trust.

 

[Beemahdad]

+1 wood strip under battery. Previous owner had this on the bike I bought. My work had scrap pieces of dense neoprene foam which I cut out and replaced the wood.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Are these L terminal adapters the same that you used for your Odyssey battery? https://datastore.odysseybattery.com/products/adapter-kit/

From how you describe it with the wood strips going under the battery strap, it sounds as though you put the wood strips on TOP of the battery not under it? Is that correct? I’d that was the approach you took, was that in order to prevent the terminals from making any contact with a metal surface on the bike, using the wood as a barrier? Or did I just misread that and you placed the wood strips under the battery?

On top. Just a thin slat of wood, rounded at the top edges so as to not dig into the rubber strap. Some of the battery trays don't have very deep tray edges so I wanted the batteries to sit all the way down.

 

[paul_f]

Are these L terminal adapters the same that you used for your Odyssey battery? https://datastore.odysseybattery.com/products/adapter-kit/

From how you describe it with the wood strips going under the battery strap, it sounds as though you put the wood strips on TOP of the battery not under it? Is that correct? I’d that was the approach you took, was that in order to prevent the terminals from making any contact with a metal surface on the bike.

In my case I made a couple of L brackets, with additional holes, facing the seat. This allows easy access if one needs to add or remove a connection from the battery. In order to protect the metal connectors from touching anything that might be unfortunate, under the between the battery and the battery strap, I place some rubber to hang over the terminals. So far, no shocking results. I actually use a fuse box for most of my accessories, despite what appears to be mess of wires.

 

[paul_f]

Paul,
I have been using Odyssey PC680s for decades and they have been lasting me about 8 to 11 years. When they do start to go you know because the time they keep a charge starts to shorten, but that takes a very long time to progress - so long that I wouldn't be concerned about being on a trip with an "old" Odyssey battery as long as it would keep a charge for a week or longer - which is a short time for an Odyssey as you know. Naturally, I'd put in a new one before leaving on a trip, but in my experience I've never had one even come close to a sudden or catastrophic failure. Probably the only battery brand I've ever use that I completely trust.

Greg,

thank you for the information regarding the longevity of our Odysseys. I will start to extend my batteries years of use. However since I have two relatively new batteries installed on both bikes, these will most like be the last two batteries that I'll ever need as I suspect that my wife and kids will be objecting to my riding until I'm almost ninety. Heck, as it is, they currently don’t approve of my riding.

 

[gregfeeler]

Greg,

thank you for the information regarding the longevity of our Odysseys. I will start to extend my batteries years of use. However since I have two relatively new batteries installed on both bikes, these will most like be the last two batteries that I'll ever need as I suspect that my wife and kids will be objecting to my riding until I'm almost ninety. Heck, as it is, they currently don’t approve of my riding.

Paul,
If I had let someone's objections to my riding a motorcycle stop me I'd have never started.

 

[gregfeeler]

Greg,

thank you for the information regarding the longevity of our Odysseys. I will start to extend my batteries years of use. However since I have two relatively new batteries installed on both bikes, these will most like be the last two batteries that I'll ever need as I suspect that my wife and kids will be objecting to my riding until I'm almost ninety. Heck, as it is, they currently don’t approve of my riding.

Just pay attention and if they start to lose some charge after a couple of weeks with no parasitic drain then you have early warning - very early - but warning.

 

[paul_f]

Paul,
If I had let someone's objections to my riding a motorcycle stop me I'd have never started.

Well Greg, I’ve ignored their concerns for the last decade or so, so obviously they have not been successful.

 

[gregfeeler]

Well Greg, I’ve ignored their concerns for the last decade or so, so obviously they have not been successful.

You're a good man, Paul.

 

[tangoalpha]

Greg,

thank you for the information regarding the longevity of our Odysseys. I will start to extend my batteries years of use. However since I have two relatively new batteries installed on both bikes, these will most like be the last two batteries that I'll ever need as I suspect that my wife and kids will be objecting to my riding until I'm almost ninety. Heck, as it is, they currently don’t approve of my riding.

It’s almost like being a youngster all over again. Parents didn’t approve then; wife and children don’t approve now! Some things never change. It’s so dangerous they say. Yep, so is getting out of bed in the morning. I just keep riding. I’m in my mid 50’s, so I figure I still have a long way to go.

 

[tangoalpha]

On top. Just a thin slat of wood, rounded at the top edges so as to not dig into the rubber strap. Some of the battery trays don't have very deep tray edges so I wanted the batteries to sit all the way down.

Thanks for that clarification. I appreciate it. That makes sense to me.

 

[tangoalpha]

Well Greg, I’ve ignored their concerns for the last decade or so, so obviously they have not been successful.

You're a good man, Paul.

Careful, don’t say that too loudly people may hear you and ruin Paul’s reputation.

 

[tangoalpha]

In my case I made a couple of L brackets, with additional holes, facing the seat. This allows easy access if one needs to add or remove a connection from the battery. In order to protect the metal connectors from touching anything that might be unfortunate, under the between the battery and the battery strap, I place some rubber to hang over the terminals. So far, no shocking results. I actually use a fuse box for most of my accessories, despite what appears to be mess of wires.

Thanks for the photos Paul. That really gives me a much better idea of what I’ll be dealing with when I go to mount the Odyssey battery, which at this point I’ve decided to purchase. Listening to all the feedback from you gentlemen has solidified my thinking that the Odyssey is the way to go. By the way, I’m also going to go the route of a wiring hub like the Denali Power Hub to clean up my wiring and bring all of my accessories into one central location. It has fuses inside the power hub. It’s a really neat solution. https://denalielectronics.com/products/elc-00-30000?_pos=1&_sid=bb6f5f0ce&_ss=r

 

[paul_f]

It’s almost like being a youngster all over again. Parents didn’t approve then; wife and children don’t approve now! Some things never change. It’s so dangerous they say. Yep, so is getting out of bed in the morning. I just keep riding. I’m in my mid 50’s, so I figure I still have a long way to go.

I gave up riding in 1965 but in 1971 was once again receptive to the idea when my uncle in England nixed our idea of hitching hiking for our three month honeymoon exploring the UK, France and Spain (too many young hitch hikers found dead in the ditches). We bought two massive 49cc Honda mopeds wit a top speed of 35 mph in Scotland.These machines allowed us to go to the out of the way places on back roads, including over the Alps and the Pyrenees.

While in France we encountered BMWs being ridden by the police. That sparked my interest in the brand. Fast forward to 2004, my first year of retirement and I came home and mentioned that I had sat on a used BMW somewhere out in the countryside. My wife told me to go and by one as longevity runs in my family and my last words would be, “ I never got a BMW”.

When the first bike was to disappear in 2009 for down time work at a dealership, my wife sent me out to find a second one so there’d always be one to ride in case of another breakdown.

My four kids however are always telling to stop riding.