Bike won't start after winter storage

[sundog]

Bike: 2005 K1200S
First beautiful day of the spring, and time to collect the bike from self-storage.
Drive over there, push the bike outside, put on all my gear. Bike won't start.
It clicks a few times but won't turn over. As i try again, and again... the starter noise gets less and less, until theres nothing but a buzz.

So its sounds clearly like the battery. However the battery has been connected to an Optimate charger for the last 4 months.
I thought this was supposed to keep the battery maintained and fully charged. The charger did not signal that anything was wrong.... (other than a fully charged, normal battery). Nothing else has happened to the bike in the last 4 months. No work has been carried out on it. It has just stood in a 17ºC warehouse. When i put the bike away 4 months ago, everything was working fine.

Questions:
Can the bike be push-started in order to get it to the mechanic ? Or is this not recommended ?
Any ideas as to what it may be if you DON'T think its the battery?
Whats the average lifespan of a bike battery? I have had the bike exactly 3 yrs. the battery had just been replaced when i got it.

thanks for any help....

[SHIVA]

the battery doesn't last more than 3 years really. this happened to me as well. bike was on charger but battery went dead. just order yourself a new battery and enjoy the bike for the new season.

[sundog]

i was able to jump start it with my friends bike... it started immediately.
I rode it home... not too far - about 10km and was hoping that after the ride it would start again...
but once i got home, and stopped the engine, it still wouldnt start.

So i will order a new battery, and hope that is the issue. Just curious... we tested the battery with his volt meter, and it read 12.62V ... which should be enough to start the bike. Could it be the Amps are way too low even though the volts are fine?

[SHIVA]

I had the same exact issue. 3 year old battery, the charger would show it as full, with a solid green light, but wouldn't turn on ignition. I didn't put a volt meter on it. but 3 years is the life span.

[sundog]

well that has settled my mind... thanks for the input Shiva.

[sundog]

I'm trying to order a new battery... Can i assume that the model i need is YTX14-BS.
There are several brands with this model number. I assume they will all fit if they have this model number ?

[Bernardo]

Hi sun

The first letter in the model indicates Y for Yuasa, but different brands copy that designation, associated with the amperage, shape, connectors...

Look different brands here http://www.datasheetarchive.com/ , try a search with the model and you can find a YTX14-BS.pdf

All the information here in the Yuasa page: http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/2012 ... _specs.pdf

More here:
"Yuasa battery 19Ah will fit????" viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12694

[ssduc]

Shiva's absolutely right. These bikes require a nearly perfect battery to get started.

[norskman]

When using an Optimate IV. Make sure its in 'BMW-Can' mode.

If its connected and for some reason its not in 'Can mode' it wont charge and your battery may go flat - just due to the alarm draining the battery.

you can tell if its Can-mode - the optimate flashes and goes through a number of mode tests on a regular basis. If it just sits there, its not in can-mode.

I had this problem,tried to start, it wouldn't.

I thought it must be the battery as I had the Optimate on it for ages. So I jumped it.

Now its fine.

[sundog]

I have Optimate III ... so no bmw mode.

But it did go through the motions when connecting it (first the yellow light, when doing the initial test, and then green when charging normally).
I assumed it would have been ok after jumping it and riding for a bit.... but it wasnt... so it seems it really is finished.

[Bernardo]

Hi sun

The battery is lost... then you can do the last try before trash it. Charge with a automotive charger, bringing a bit of current shock during 30 or 40 secs, then charge with 3 or 4 Amp. only check the temperature, must be warm..

I assumed it would have been ok after jumping it and riding for a bit....

Only if the battery has a good part of charge, alternator no charge from zero

[skapan]

As in many other purchases, be aware that there are "replacement" TX14-BS batteries that cost far less than the Yuasa ($60 instead of $90) but that offer considerably less life and the added benefit of sudden departure to battery heaven. "Powersports" batteries are very common in this size for lawn tractors and so on, but go for name brand to be safe.

[Bernardo]

but go for name brand to be safe.

Not only the name (like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger or Hugo Boss) , I have experiences with Yuasa, also in other uses like alarms, and the difference of quality is remarcable. I'm a big Yuasa fan

[sundog]

Is there a major difference between the YTX 14 BS and the YTX 14 H BS.
I know the "H" version has 14 Ah capacity whereas the other has 12 Ah...

What does this mean to me?
the 14 Ah is 33% more expensive.

Is it worth it ?

[sundog]

According to the Users Manual, the OE is 14 Ah ...

So i guess that is probably what i should stick to...

[Henkpenk]

Hey Sundog, go for the H-version. The H stands for heavy duty. It cranks out 20 percent more starting power. The standard Yuasa has the same output as the BMW Exide and that is marginal at best.
Also, do not use the on board connector but connect a charger directly to the battery.

[Eka]

I just get today lithium battery for my HP2 Sport. Very light. Those supposed to get more cranking power and keep charge longer. I can't try it before i get my bike home...