BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Yes David. The bolt / floating nut arrangement can be a real pain particular when attaching the positive terminal while balancing the battery on a knee.

And back to the original post; a question. Why would you want to put an Li-ON battery in an RT? What is the benefit? Sounds like more money than sense to me. And another thing, do Li-ON batteries require different charging electronics?

This is the OEM battery for both Hexhead & Camhead RT's, 19 Ah & 170 CCA, GEL type.



I've had three OEM BMW(Exide) GEL batteries & they've lasted between 3.5 & 5 years, now on to my fourth Exide (fitted April 2019).

This Yuasa YT19BL-BS (Exide 51913 equivalent) weights in at 5.7kg, https://cdn.tayna.com/datasheets/Yuasa- ... asheet.pdf



From the Exide Li-Ion Type list (page 7),  https://www.exide.com/eu/sites/default/ ... utions.pdf can't see an alternative listed.

Exide also list some benefits of Li-Ion batteries and confirm that a special battery charger will be required.

Found this JMT Li-Ion battery at M&P (replacement for 51913),  https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/261449307307?c ... 1&mkcid=28



The specifications are, 7.17 Ah & 420 CCA, weighing 1.645 kg, https://www.elitemotorcycleservices.co. ... on-battery

Here is a BS Battery for £58.00, https://www.bikespeeduk.com/index.php?a ... uctId=8568

David. wrote: Here is a BS Battery for £58.00, https://www.bikespeeduk.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=8568

If they are good enough for Fabio Quartararo and Jules Cluzel they must be good !!.

When I had to replace the battery on my RT last year, I considered a Lithium battery.  I'm sure it would have been OK, but I  would be more comfortable fitting a lithium battery only when the bike comes with one as standard.


I chose a Motobatt AGM battery :  https://www.tayna.co.uk/motorcycle-batteries/motobatt/mbyz16hd/
Compared to the OE battery, it had higher Ampere Hours, higher Cold Cranking Amps, it was slightly smaller and it had four terminals, making connecting accessories easy.  I thought it was a good choice.


And almost half the price of a battery from my BMW dealer ..... 

Our Gee wrote:
If they are good enough for Fabio Quartararo and Jules Cluzel they must be good !!.

BS battery is what I was recommended and offered at local dealer. Slightly higher cpacity does not hurt.

It seems that Exide gel batteries are not that praised. What is the quality of  these BS batteries, do they last OK?

Ed Harley wrote:It seems that Exide gel batteries are not that praised.

I've had three OEM BMW(Exide) GEL batteries & they've lasted between 3.5 & 5 years, now on to my fourth Exide (fitted April 2019).

Both my EFE and Bad Boy have Exides - although Harleys typically like HD/Deka batteries better.

I don't have any experience of this BS brand so I might get the Exide as that is at local shop in stock, too.

Ed Harley wrote:I don't have any experience of this BS brand so I might get the Exide.

Likewise, I don't have any experience of BS batteries, was offered one once as an alternative to the Exide, just listed it for another choice.

I’ve owned a Shorai for 11 care free years. It has been in three bikes  over that time and sat through 11 winters without charging.

There are definite advantages beyond weight and it will outlast 2 AGM batteries easily.

I replaced mine with the Exide one, and it's been perfect for the last 3 years.


I had a couple of Motorbatt yellows in my other bikes that failed without warning.  I wouldn't buy another.

Lead, gel or Lithium... An interesting question. It was strange to hear the reasons for taking up the new technology (also the reasons not to).
The main reason for taking up Lithium would be the ability to provide energy for longer at a higher rate. Other reasons would include longevity... Lithium will usually last at least twice as long (if battery consists of name brand cells).
Lithium will also show when it is getting old gradually. You have a much lesser chance of walking out one cool morning to find your bike won't start.
The charge controller (battery management system) is worlds ahead of the old lead acid charge systems in that it manages charge current precisely and has overcharge protection, both leading to better battery life.
The reason not to go with Lithium, for me, would be dependant upon a cheaper DC-DC Charger to handle charging or a new lithium capable reg/rectifier as well as my insurer providing written assurance that my motorcycle will still be fully insured if a Lithium battery is installed. I have a friend who runs a Lithium in his Kawasaki road bike and he says it has a lithium compatible reg/rectifier and he's had no issues. Perhaps a Lithium battery owner could enlighten us as to whether there are insurance issues?
The days of physically weighty batteries that lack longevity and charge density are numbered. Typical longevity Lead acid 3-5 years, gel 5-7 years and Lithium 10-15 years. So David, if you only get 3.5 years from gel then I'd be searching for a better brand of gel battery.
There's an old saying that seems to be pertinent here: "Be not the first to adopt new technologies but likewise be not the last to let go of the old".

Here’s a ‘which is best’ review that may hwlp -

https://www.bobsbmw.com/community/artic ... batteries/

Steve398 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 09, 2022 9:04 am Here’s a ‘which is best’ review that may hwlp -

https://www.bobsbmw.com/community/artic ... batteries/

Steve, are you going with a stock oe bmw yuasa battery when you replace yours ?