Trickle charger

[richy170]

What are people using for trickle charging their bikes. Mine will get little use later in the year. I read on some USA forums that the BMW option was very problematic and it should be avoided.

 

[alex]

Personally I use an Optimate 4 with additional perma wires/plug run to the rear seat cubby hole. You can then just open that and plug in.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/OptiMate-4-Battery-charger-conditioner/dp/B000R5936U

 

[soofsayer]

I have been using CTEK chargers for 5 years now with no problems. I have two bikes with them plugged in using these:

http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-xs08.php?gclid=CN7c0ZbyxsYCFUuWtAodbNoCnw

I am pretty sure each charger comes with the comfort connect attachment so you can wire up the battery and have the plug-in end available without removing the seat every time (to use the croc clips). I have the plug-in routed to under the pillion seat area so just take the pillion seat / cover off to plug it in after every ride.

 

[richy170]

I didn't think the ctech chargers would work as they are not canbus specific. My understanding was that these sort of chargers would not work when attached to the battery with the additional convenient lead due to the canbus. Is this not the case then? I certainly don't want to remove the seat each time I want to charge the battery so I like the idea of using one of these convenience leads. That rules out the BMW one then as this comes with a DIN plug to plug into the socket which this model doesn't have or used by connecting crocodile clips which means removal of the seat.
Is the Optimate one the canbus specific one you use?

 

[soofsayer]

I didn't think the ctech chargers would work as they are not canbus specific. My understanding was that these sort of chargers would not work when attached to the battery with the additional convenient lead due to the canbus. Is this not the case then? I certainly don't want to remove the seat each time I want to charge the battery so I like the idea of using one of these convenience leads.

Nope, been using a ctek charger on my other BMW bike for 5 years, and additionally 2 years on the hp4, with no issues whatsoever. I don't ride the hp4 over winter so it's stood for about 4 months (or longer) on the charger, again zero problems. The optimate charger is good kit also.

 

[richy170]

Great thanks for that information. I have been using the cTex MXS 5.0 Test and charge on my Honda VFR but didn't think it would be compatible with my new S1. Now I just need to buy a new comfort cable and put the rest towards the HP rear sets!

 

[soofsayer]

I used the ctek charger you have on my bike before I broke it , no problems.

I have just noticed that you have a 15 model bike, both mine are previous Bosch ecu gen bikes. I don't think it makes any difference to trickle charging your bike, but worthy of a call to the dealer to confirm its ok. (although they ain't always right lol).

 

[richy170]

I have realised why I have been getting confused with the canbus chargers like the Optimate 4 Canbus especially made for BMW bikes. This charger is only needed if you connect the charger direct to a DIN socket found on most other model BMW's. If you connect to the battery, even via a convenience/ comfort lead etc then any charger will work.