My new to me 2011 came with an Optimate 4 that came with the BMW plug. Prior owner bought the bike new and used the Optimate for his 5 years of owning it with no problems. I don't think they are that expensive bit I'm not sure. Good Luck.
Hi Folks. I`m a newbie, took delivery of a 2009RT last month and put it in the garage, haven`t looked at it since ! So I have a flat battery !! The guy I bought it pointed out the socket on the left side of the fairing, I guess that is for plugging in a charger. Could you guys confirm for me please. I`ve also noticed chat about a optimate plug, is this the plug type that I need for this socket. Also, any advice on where to buy them would be much appreciated,
The socket is a BMW size ( not the normal phone charge type). If the battery has gone flat after only 1 month it's probably on it's last legs. If it's the original battery which is likely it's a heavy gel type and if allowed to go completely flat it might be terminal.
Your bike has Canbus wiring and needs a canbus compatible charger or you could damage the complete system. Normal chargers can be connected directly to the battery though . If you buy the BMW charger it comes with the.correct plug and can be left connected for an extrnded period. Available from any BMW Bike dealer.
Last edited by guest2360 on Thu Dec 15, 2016 3:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I went for the Nippy Norman option. Seems to work great.
I wouldn't consider trying to bump start a bike as heavy as the RT (I presume that suggestion was tongue in cheek !)
gogs01 wrote:
I went for the Nippy Norman option. Seems to work great.
I wouldn't consider trying to bump start a bike as heavy as the RT (I presume that suggestion was tongue in cheek !)
The excellent Sportsbikeshop have the Optimate4 @ £53.99 free post
futterweasel wrote:
The excellent Sportsbikeshop have the Optimate4 @ £53.99 free post
That's an excellent price but, as with most battery tenders, it is not advertised as canbus compatible, doesn't come with a Din connector (so can't be plugged in to the accessory socket on the RT) and you then have to find the battery and connect it to the battery terminals. Not the biggest job in the world but, for me, the Nippy Norman solution was the best value option.
You pays your money etc...
Mine was take it out the box , plug in both ends, forget. With of course a 2 year warranty. Didn't spend £16K on a bike to scrimp on things to plug into,it.