BMW Battery Information
The original equipment BMW motorcycle battery on all new BMW motorcycles is warranted against defects in materials or worksmanship for a period of 24 months (unlimited mileage) from the date of purchase at an authorized BMW Motorrad dealer. Original BMW motorcycle batteries sold over the counter are also covered by a 24 month parts warranty which begins on the day the battery is purchased from an authorized BMW Motorrad dealer. To keep the warranty valid, BMW requires that batteries be properly maintained. Below we have compiled some information that we hope will help you understand and care for your BMW motorcycle battery so you can stay focused on planning and enjoying your next ride.
According to BMW of North America’s Limited Warranty ‘Batteries’ section,
‘Proper battery maintenance is the responsibility of the motorcycle owner. For example, if the motorcycle is driven only for short distances of less than 10 miles over a prolonged period of time without an occassional drive at highway speeds, the engine’s charging system cannot maintain the battery. Insufficient use of the motorcycle could result in short term starting problems and may ultimately damage the battery, wiring harness, regulator, and other electrical components.
If the motorcycle is not operated for more than four weeks or is operated as noted above, it is the owner’s responsibility to obtain and use a BMW approved battery charger to maintain the motorcycle battery.’
So it’s very important to get out and ride your motorcycle on a routine basis and to make sure that some of these rides are of longer duration and at higher speeds than your average cruise down to the corner coffee distributor. If you know you won’t be riding for awhile, hook up a battery charger. Taking these basic steps to maintain your BMW motorcycle battery will ensure that your warranty covers your battery for the full 24-month period.
If you’ve maintained your battery properly and but think there still may be a problem with the battery, our service department here at BMW Motorcycles of San Francisco can check the battery for you. We have a tool that is specially designed to test BMW motorcycle batteries for charge related defects. In order for us to submit a warranty claim to BMW for a faulty battery, we first must test the battery using this special tool. Whenever possible, charge your battery overnight and then bring the battery to us for testing. If you do not have the ability to charge your battery overnight, you can bring it to us and we’ll charge the battery for you and test it the next day.
If the tester generates a ‘Replace Battery’ message and you’re inside the 24-month warranty period, we’ll do just that and give you a new BMW motorcycle battery to replace the defective one. All we ask is that you give us the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for your motorcycle and the last known mileage reading so we can include them in our warranty submission to BMW of North America, as per their requirements.
If the battery tests okay, it likely means there is something else amiss with your BMW motorcycle that is preventing it from starting and running properly. If this is the case, our service advisors can help determine the next best steps for you and your motorcycle to get you back on the road as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about BMW motorcycle batteries or would like to talk about having your BMW motorcycle battery tested, please contact our service department at (415) 503-9955 or via e-mail at service@bmwmotorcycle.com.
