BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I just took delivery on a 2009 R12000R, with 23 miles on it. The dealer trucked it to me on Thursday. I took it out for a spin today. After the bike went through its pre-start checks with the ignition switch on, the red battery warning light was on. I rode the bike for 140 miles and when I turned the ignition off, the red battery warning light came on.

The owners manual says this may indicate a faulty generator or generator belt and suggests not to ride it until you can have a dealer examine it. I need to put the 600 miles on the bike for the run-in period before the service, but I am hesitant to ride it, in case it may strand me somewhere with a dead battery.

Has anyone else experienced this with a brand new bike?

You don't need to put the 600 miles on it. You need to get in touch with the dealer right away and have him come back and get the bike.

Read through the manual and look for some stupid reason for the light to be on, like the parking light on. If I couldn't find any I would be really upset when I contacted the dealer.

You say that the light is on before starting the bike, and again after turning it off? It's quite normal for the light to be on before starting, because the alternator is not turning yet. Just be sure that the light goes off withing a few seconds of starting the bike. There shouldn't be any lights on the dash at all after turning the key off, but if you turn it on again without starting, then you should see the battery light again. This shows you that the the circuit and lamp are good.

The battery light comes on prior to starting, when the ignition is switched on.

It comes on again when the engine is shut off, with the side stand retracted. That is the way I usually shut down the bike.

It does not come on during operation, at speed.

I e-mailed the dealer (their shop closes at 3:00 on Saturday) and he called me. His opinion is that if it is not lighting up when the bike is operating, at speed, I should be OK.

Just to be safe, I think I will carry some jumper cables with me, when I ride it.

Has anyone else experienced this with a brand new bike?

Yes. My 2009, which was manufactured in September 2008, had a dead battery at delivery seven months later. The dealer installed a new battery. With 23 miles on your '09, it probably sat many, many months.

I would contact your salesman and request a new battery. Our bikes' batteries are notoriously flakey. Your issue is about peace of mind, and if I were in your boots, my mind would not be a peace on a roadtrip. If he pushes back, say you'll fail him on the Customer Experience Survey.

In the end, the battery is covered under warranty for two years from your delivery date. The dealership can do it the easy way or the hard, stranded-in-the-middle-of-nowhere, way.

Fastdogs seems to be describing entirely normal behavior. If the ignition is switched on and the engine is not running, the battery indicator should be lit. If it wasn't, then I'd be concerned.

fastdogs2 wrote: I rode the bike for 140 miles and when I turned the ignition off, the red battery warning light came on.

guys - read the post.

mogu83 wrote:

fastdogs2 wrote: I rode the bike for 140 miles and when I turned the ignition off, the red battery warning light came on.

guys - read the post.

Harry - the 2nd post he makes adds to the confusion a bit:

The battery light comes on prior to starting, when the ignition is switched on.

It comes on again when the engine is shut off, with the side stand retracted. That is the way I usually shut down the bike.

The first thing he should understand - despite what he is seeing (a symbol of a battery) it is NOT a "battery light" - it is an alternator warning light. It turns on if the ignition is on and the alternator isn't charging.

I'd submit that (1) before the engine is running (ignition on) - it's not charging - normal operation (2) when the engine is stopped using the sidestand (which is what I believe he is saying) - with the ignition on - it's not charging. Normal operation.

IE - If I'm correct on #2 - it's entirely absolutely positively for-sure working just like it's designed. IF not - we need clarification of how he is stopping the engine.

If you're stopping the bike by putting the sidestand down with the ignition still on then the light coming on is normal and your bike is working fine

fastdogs2 wrote:After the bike went through its pre-start checks with the ignition switch on, the red battery warning light was on.

Totally normal and will happen every time. Your car should do the same thing.

fastdogs2 wrote:I rode the bike for 140 miles and when I turned the ignition off, the red battery warning light came on.

When you say turning off the ignition are you by any chance referring to the kill switch? If it's the kill switch (red, around the starter button) then it's again totally normal. If you have lights on after turning the key off I'd have the dealer look into it.

My take is that you were able to ride 140 miles without the wanring light on, which tells me everything was working as it should. Had the light come on while you were riding or with the bike running, then I would be concerned. A 140 mile ride would have drained a bad battery long before you hit the 140 mark, and if your charging system wasn't working, well, you'd never had hit the 140 mark. Why not ride the bike back to you dealer where he can easily check the status of your electrical system ? I really don't think you have a problem though.

I totally understand a newbie owner's worries, particularly in light of all the battery discussions here. When my R was new, I became concerned that that same red battery icon stayed lit after the self-checks were completed--something in the owner's book led me to believe that was not what was supposed to happen. To put my mind at ease, I went back to the showroom and checked another R, and saw that's the way it's supposed to work. So, to the original poster, after three years of R ownership I can assure you that if
the ignition (the key, that is) is on
and
the engine is not running
then
that red battery icon is supposed to light up

Thanks. I am concerned, as vroomr states, that this bike is showing symptoms of a bad battery that I have read in other posts on the forum.

I just put another 60 miles on the bike today.

What is happening now is:

Ignition switch on - bike checks run (warning lights on for an instant, speedometer and tachometer needles move to the ends stops and return to zero). Push the starter button and the bike starts. The battery/alternator light stays on, along with a yellow triangle. If I rev the throttle, both lights extinguish.

Neither light comes on at speed.

If I shut down the bike, by putting the side stand down, in first gear, the battery/alternator light comes on.

If this is normal for this bike, it sounds like I am OK, but I am still going to request a new battery, because the build date on this bike was 9/08.

"If I shut down the bike, by putting the side stand down, in first gear, the battery/alternator light comes on."

That's totally normal! Shut your bike down by putting it in neutral and turning off the ignition key and you'll have no problem. And this behavior does not in any way reflect on your battery, which is probably just fine.

fastdogs2 wrote:Thanks. I am concerned, as vroomr states, that this bike is showing symptoms of a bad battery that I have read in other posts on the forum.

I just put another 60 miles on the bike today.

What is happening now is:

Ignition switch on - bike checks run (warning lights on for an instant, speedometer and tachometer needles move to the ends stops and return to zero). Push the starter button and the bike starts. The battery/alternator light stays on, along with a yellow triangle. If I rev the throttle, both lights extinguish.

Neither light comes on at speed.

If I shut down the bike, by putting the side stand down, in first gear, the battery/alternator light comes on.

If this is normal for this bike, it sounds like I am OK, but I am still going to request a new battery, because the build date on this bike was 9/08.

You are describing perfectly normal operation.

Just go ride your Roadster and enjoy.



It's no wonder dealerships HATE motorcycle forums, you're ready to go request a new battery because of a few reports of failed batteries out of thousands of bikes... SInce there's nothing wrong with your bike or battery, having a build date of 9/08 is not a reason to replace it.


Why is everyone so afraid of what might happen?
These's R bikes are very proven, pretty dam bulletproof, and if by chance you happen to be one of the very lucky few who has a problem, that's what roadside assistance is for. If you're traveling in remote area's that's what a SPOT device is for, and why being a part of the ADVrider or even the MOA community is priceless. There's always help available, the only thing to fear is fear itself to quote JFK...


Sorry for the rant, but I feel if people would just ride their bike half as much as they talked about it, or worried about what might happen when they do, the world would be a better place, including these forums that get clogged with speculation and rumors instead of good solid experience.


Enjoy your new bike fastdog, and welcome to the good life on r1150r.org!

[quote="ChiTown] 'the only thing to fear is fear itself' to quote JFK...[/quote]

I thought he said: "I am a Jelly donut",("Ich bin ein Berliner).

I think, being a new BMW owner and all, you should spend a few minutes reading this thread. It could just put your mind to rest.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthre ... cial+beads

fastdogs2 wrote: . . . but I am still going to request a new battery, because the build date on this bike was 9/08.

Good move. I'd feel better about having a brand-new battery than a 17-month old "new" one that saw so few miles.

Coming up on 6,000 trouble-free miles in my first riding year with the replacement battery. These bikes are so much fun.

websterize wrote:

fastdogs2 wrote: . . . but I am still going to request a new battery, because the build date on this bike was 9/08.

Good move. I'd feel better about having a brand-new battery than a 17-month old "new" one that saw so few miles.

Coming up on 6,000 trouble-free miles in my first riding year with the replacement battery. These bikes are so much fun.

Unless you bought your bike used, the warranty on your battery starts with your purchase date. You bought your bike knowing it was last years model, why expect the battery to be current ? Unless there is really something wrong with the one you have, and it appears that per the board, your battery is fine, I think barking at the dealer to put in one with a newer manufacuring date is just going to start off your relationship with your dealer on a bad foot. And I don't think that is where you want to go.

Guys, I apologize for upsetting everyone on the forum with my questions/comments about a potential battery problem.

By the way, it was not JFK who said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." That was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

As far as fear, I am not afraid of a dead battery. I just don't like to be stranded in a remote locate waiting for roadside assistance.

I would also like to affirm that I am not one to complain about dealers or try to make their existence any more difficult. I am a reasonable person who is willing to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.

I will enjoy my bike and trouble you no more.