Replacement Battery Info for R1200RT WetHead/R1250RT ShiftHead

[r2frame]

My wife had her battery replaced two years ago at the BMW dealer here in Sherbrooke, QC. It was dead this spring despite using the appropriate smart charger. When I pulled it out I saw that the battery had been manufactured in 2016. Since it was a sealed battery it would have needed to be kept charged by the dealer, not just stuck on the parts shelf. When I discussed this with a local auto electric guy he said he's seen many of the bigger retailers by batteries in bulk to save money, but not keep them maintained. That's likely why ours failed.

[Omega Man]

As an aside, checking the date code on most products may surprise you. This includes, ink/toner cartridges, tires, rust stabilizer products and so on. Some of these products are get aged and “blown out” to online retailers.
OM

[LFarling]

I just replaced my 17 GS with a Yuasa 14 series.

First I could not find a 16 series anywhere. Second I like the 14 as it is a dry battery and comes with a pretty advanced acid pack. It is a hard plastic with spouts you peel the seal off, push it down into the battery and it fills with the acid in each cell. Let it sit for 30-60 mins for the plates to absorb and put it on a charger.

It took my Optimate 2, 4 hours to run the test, and bring it to full charge all green lights. I think it was 107 to my door off Amazon. I see they are 97.00 now. You can store a dry battery for a long time so it is nice to have if you suspect your battery.

I do not know dimension difference from a 14 series and a 16 series and never looked since I could not find one. As I say I put this in my 17 GS and it was the exact size of the OEM BMW.

Just throwing it out for reference.

[craydds]

Rode to Tractor Supply this morning. Left the store and my bike would not start. 2019 R1250RT with original battery, 34677 miles. Pulled the old battery out and walked back into the store. They had an Interstate FAITX14H battery; matching length and width but shorter in height. Beggars (stranded bikers) can't be choosers.
Installed the battery and rode home. Had planned on buying a YTX20CH-BS when needed, but ... my battery failed with NO warning signs. Now, I will run this 14H battery until it fails.
Is it possible to buy a YTX20CH-BS and keep it on a shelf (Battery Tender connected) to be ready when needed? Obvious downside would be battery failure when out on the road, "new" battery back home in the garage. I do carry a MicroStart when on a big trip, hopefully could start bike and get
headed to the nearest shop.

[strataj]

Rode to Tractor Supply this morning. Left the store and my bike would not start. 2019 R1250RT with original battery, 34677 miles. Pulled the old battery out and walked back into the store. They had an Interstate FAITX14H battery; matching length and width but shorter in height. Beggars (stranded bikers) can't be choosers.
Installed the battery and rode home. Had planned on buying a YTX20CH-BS when needed, but ... my battery failed with NO warning signs. Now, I will run this 14H battery until it fails.
Is it possible to buy a YTX20CH-BS and keep it on a shelf (Battery Tender connected) to be ready when needed? Obvious downside would be battery failure when out on the road, "new" battery back home in the garage. I do carry a MicroStart when on a big trip, hopefully could start bike and get
headed to the nearest shop.

I would of done the same thing and I'm a huge fan for the Yuasa battery. I bet that Interstate will give you years of service. The Yuasa YTX20CH-BS comes dry with an easy fill bottle of acid. It should last a long time on the shelf without any service.

[craydds]

The Yuasa YTX20CH-BS comes dry with an easy fill bottle of acid. It should last a long time on the shelf without any service.

Think I'll buy one and keep it on the shelf. Will have it on hand when the existing battery weakens. Hope it gives me some warning next time.

[Omega Man]

Think I'll buy one and keep it on the shelf. Will have it on hand when the existing battery weakens. Hope it gives me some warning next time.

I have somewhere around 18 batteries around- in use. From 4D to group 31 to lawn tractor size to motorcycle size. The only thing I can tell about predicting lifespan of any of the batteries is that it seems unpredictable. Along with that, I have found a brand that was great may not be so great the next time around.
Top choice for batteries- CAT (yeah heavy equipment batteries). Unfortunately CAT doesn't cross over to a number of sizes and none for motorcycles.
I documented an odd battery failure here a while back- https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread...died-yesterday

Best advice I can offer is to have a plan consisting of OEM and crossovers plus the tools to change the battery with you- just in case.

OM

[bernie]

Think I'll buy one and keep it on the shelf. Will have it on hand when the existing battery weakens. Hope it gives me some warning next time.

As long as you don't put the acid in it, it should last until you need it.

I don't know about the AGM batteries though