R1200RT battery access

Elkster88 · 01-14-2013, 10:55 AM

Sorry if this is in a FAQ or if I am in the wrong forum. I did search around a bit.

I'm going to rent an R1200RT in February, so I plan on bringing my Gerbing heated jacket liner and heated gloves with me. On my FJR I have a Battery Tender style SAE 2 pin plug that I use to connect up to the Gerbing heat controller.

After hearing about how problematic it is to power heated gear from the CANBUS connected accessory socket from my co-worker who has gone on a number of Edelweiss tours, I want to bring my own battery tender harness and hook it directly to the battery.

My question: is it difficult to get at the battery or not? Bike will be either a 2010 or 2011 R1200RT. I was told by some it's straight forward, just take off the seat. But one guy with an R1150RT said it's a bear to get at the battery because you have to remove the gas tank, etc. Obviously the R1150RT and R1200RT are different bikes.

Thanks.

LaurelPerryOnLand · 01-14-2013, 11:55 AM

If you can turn a KEY...you can get the seat off!

Just be mindful that there is an electrical connector and short connecting lead for the heated seat under EACH seat.

+1 on the direct connect to the battery. No problems using a Battery Tender.

Forget any discussions re: gas tank removal.

oldspice1972 · 01-14-2013, 01:54 PM

Very easy on the newer RTs. Pop the seats off (be mindful of the heated seat leads, as mentioned above) and the battery is right there, under the driver seat. Hook up your connector and you can easily dangle it out either side of the seat.

lkchris · 01-15-2013, 10:41 AM

Get a BMW plug and you'll be able to plug right in.

scooteraug02 · 01-16-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkchris

Get a BMW plug and you'll be able to plug right in.

Isn't OP concerned about Canbus rejecting his heated gear.

Call the rental place they may already have the wires set up especially if they rent bikes in the cold WX.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkster88

I'm going to rent an R1200RT in February, so I plan on bringing my Gerbing heated jacket liner and heated gloves with me.

After hearing about how problematic it is to power heated gear from the CANBUS connected accessory socket from my co-worker who has gone on a number of Edelweiss tours, I want to bring my own battery tender harness and hook it directly to the battery.

cliffy109 · 01-17-2013, 08:20 AM

From the factory, the BMW plug runs through the canbus and that would be a problem with heated gear. Most BMW dealers routinely re-route the wires so the plug is direct wired to the battery. Check with the tour company and ask if they direct wire the accessory socket.

If not, the battery on the 1200RT is VERY easy and involves nothing more than using the key to get under the seat. The 1150 was a completely different situation and your friend was right about difficult access. You're fine on the 1200 though.

01-14-2013, 10:55 AM	#1
Elkster88 ^OP n00b Joined: Jan 2011 Location: MN Oddometer: 8	R1200RT battery access Sorry if this is in a FAQ or if I am in the wrong forum. I did search around a bit. I'm going to rent an R1200RT in February, so I plan on bringing my Gerbing heated jacket liner and heated gloves with me. On my FJR I have a Battery Tender style SAE 2 pin plug that I use to connect up to the Gerbing heat controller. After hearing about how problematic it is to power heated gear from the CANBUS connected accessory socket from my co-worker who has gone on a number of Edelweiss tours, I want to bring my own battery tender harness and hook it directly to the battery. My question: is it difficult to get at the battery or not? Bike will be either a 2010 or 2011 R1200RT. I was told by some it's straight forward, just take off the seat. But one guy with an R1150RT said it's a bear to get at the battery because you have to remove the gas tank, etc. Obviously the R1150RT and R1200RT are different bikes. Thanks.

01-14-2013, 11:55 AM	#2
LaurelPerryOnLand Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 2,416	If you can turn a KEY...you can get the seat off! Just be mindful that there is an electrical connector and short connecting lead for the heated seat under EACH seat. +1 on the direct connect to the battery. No problems using a Battery Tender. Forget any discussions re: gas tank removal. LaurelPerryOnLand screwed with this post 01-14-2013 at 12:30 PM

01-14-2013, 01:54 PM	#3
oldspice1972 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2009 Location: iowa city, ia Oddometer: 298	Very easy on the newer RTs. Pop the seats off (be mindful of the heated seat leads, as mentioned above) and the battery is right there, under the driver seat. Hook up your connector and you can easily dangle it out either side of the seat. __________________ "Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue...."

01-15-2013, 10:41 AM	#4
lkchris Albuquerque Joined: Feb 2005 Oddometer: 845	Get a BMW plug and you'll be able to plug right in. __________________ Kent Christensen Albuquerque '12 R1200RT, '02 R1100S, '84 R80G/S

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01-17-2013, 08:20 AM	#6
cliffy109 Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2009 Location: Spotsylvania, VA Oddometer: 1,283	From the factory, the BMW plug runs through the canbus and that would be a problem with heated gear. Most BMW dealers routinely re-route the wires so the plug is direct wired to the battery. Check with the tour company and ask if they direct wire the accessory socket. If not, the battery on the 1200RT is VERY easy and involves nothing more than using the key to get under the seat. The 1150 was a completely different situation and your friend was right about difficult access. You're fine on the 1200 though.