Hello everyone.
Today I'm showing battery maintenance, using my G650GS as the example.
The BMW G650GS (2012) has a conventional (flooded) battery.
Reading blogs by other G650GS owners, I see many posts saying the electrolyte level drops quickly.
So I keep an eye on the electrolyte level too.
Removing the G650GS's battery means taking off some bodywork, so it takes a bit of effort.
From here, remove the seat and the bodywork where most bikes have their fuel tank.
The seat is off.
On most bikes the spot in the centre of the photo is the fuel tank, but on the G650GS it's where the battery sits.
On the Honda NC750X this spot is a storage compartment, which looks handy.
Back on topic: the bodywork is off.
The part with the row of round yellow caps in the photo above is the battery (a GS Yuasa YB12AL-A2).
First I disconnect the negative side and cover the harness with a plastic bag so it can't touch the battery terminal by accident.
Working space is tight for the positive side, so I use a tool like this.
What I always forget when removing and refitting the G650GS battery is this breather hose (the black hose I'm pointing to).
Make sure you don't forget to disconnect it, and don't forget to reconnect it when refitting.
With the battery out, I shine a light from behind to check the electrolyte level.
My last battery check was this spring. Here is the battery four months later. Hmm, the level hasn't dropped as much as I expected.
The level was close to LOWER LEVEL, so I top it up.
With the electrolyte at the correct level, I put it on charge.
This is the charger I use: a CTEK JS800. It's no longer made.
From what I found, the closest successor is probably the MXS 5.0JP.
Does the small drop in electrolyte show that the regulator is doing its job properly?
I'm not good with electrics, so I'm not sure, but I'm gathering information and hope to fit a light lithium battery one day.
For that, heat shielding (cooling) for the battery and charging at the right voltage (a regulator issue?) are the problems to solve.
I did the same winter job on my Honda XR250 BAJA, taking its battery out: