Advice on new battery

Hi Arno, search the forum, there are many articles about batteries.

Arno, at one point the price of BMW batteries rose by an incredible amount causing users to look for alternatives. Beware that some alternatives do not charge adequately to initialise your ABS (if you have it.) If you end up having to buy two batteries then goedkoop is duurkoop! Wolf is right, there is much advice and comment on the forum; mine 2c worth is that one would either be prepared to a great deal of research and listen to varying, conflicting opinions, or just go for the BMW option...

Hi Arno

I got a battery for my Dakar with EXACTLY the same spec as the BMW battery at Dixon's.  Very helpful there indeed and it was half the price (R220).

I found them through Neil Terry's post ...

http://www.bmwmccc.org.za/batteries-bikes

I've been using Deltec Batteries for a couple of years in different applications, and both bikes run with them. Excellent stuff at a good price last around R335 ea. Distributors in CT also .. See http://www.deltecpower.co.za/. They do not have the  12VA that the original 1150GS came out with, but I removed the bottom plate in the battery holder and fitted a 17AH on both bikes - 1150 GS and 1150 ADV. The 17AH is right size and spec of the factory fitted battery for the ADV.

I've also had good experiences with the Toplite brand (made by Yuasa). I've had up to 5 years out of a Toplite, provided of course that you keep it topped up and charged up. Try Trac Mac in CT, Bellville or Wynberg. They do cost a bit more, but you won't be replacing it every 2 years.

Vonde Batteries at 15 Koeberg Road, Maitland, have been there more-or-less forever - since 1971. I have bought all my car and bike batteries from them since the 80's. I stopped bothering to shop around years ago, because they were always the cheapest - and, for me, they're easy to get to: near the N1, N2 and M5 (not too far from the M3 either :-).

http://maps.google.com/places/za/cape-town/koeberg-rd/15/-vonde-motor-sp...

Thank you to everyone for giving valuable advice. I also followed Wolf's advice and read the old posts on this.

Incidentally , I got a quote form a BMW dealer and the price for a new battery is R2400.

So I will go with one of the other options.

Thank you again.

"Incidentally , I got a quote form a BMW dealer and the price for a new battery is R2400."

Horror and shock!!!!!!!!. They deserve to be called 'stealerships'. 

The dealer has little control over the pricing.  Do you really think they pop down to the local battery discount store, pick up some cheapies for say 300 ront, then mark it up by 800%? 

If they could, they would sell local equivalents at low prices.  But they may not.  They have to use BMW-approved parts, that get imported (and our government puts a good 300% duty on motor spares), and they are priced in Euros, and priced at a premium because they are BMW approved.

This is also all fuelled by the warranty mechanism and insurance, where it doesn't matter what the price is because it is 'covered' and an individual is not paying out of his pocket.  And a warranty part cannot be replaced with a non-approved part, so the parts-seller can charge what he likes.

Sorry Charles, the duty on these batteries is only 5%.

I got a correctly specced battery from Dixon when my bikes battrery dropped me near Riebeeck-Wes the day after the Bikefest. They went to great lengths to arrange for a pickup when I got hold of them 10 minutes before closing. I can really recommend them.

I thought that I should as a courtesy to all those who kindly offered advice report back.

I realised that with the little riding I do in winter that a battery charger is a must so I bought one and charged the battery. After 24 hours it was as good as new so it seems that the purchase of the battery has been postponed for a while.

It is on trickle charge so should be fine.

Thanks again.

Hi Arno, don't leave the battery on charge all the time if you are using a trickle charger. There are smart chargers available that you can leave connected to your battrey and will maintain your battery when left for long periods of time.  

Hey Pepe ... miss you guys ... I think I need to visit you!  I couldn't agree more.  Dixon kept their shop open on a Friday to give me time to get there and pick up a battery and it's 100% the correct spec with no fiddling required.  Those guys are so helpful - and inexpensive.

Also agree with Mayhem.  If you didn't buy an Optimate or similar microprocessor controlled charger, don't leave your battery on charge all the time or you will cook it and bend the plates.

PeterO wrote:

Hey Pepe ... miss you guys ... I think I need to visit you!

Peter, I think its a great idea if you come visit us. We were at the meeting on Tuesday, unfortunately didn't see you there.

Thanks .

I have the Optimate 4 so should be fine.