BMW Service - R1100R / R850R Battery Access

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CHRIS HARRIS
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[@tuomasjukka]

People please. You don't need to take tank off to replace battery. Remove all plastics surrounding the tank and one bolt on the right side. Tilt the tank forward and take the battery away. One person keeps the tank upwards and one takes the battery. If you just need the work on with the cables then use Pringles can to support the tank.

[@johnhall4445]

While contemplating a ‘97 R850R, I came upon your great information for battery removal. What an asset you are to anyone owning this bike. Thanks!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thank you!

[@kevinmcdonald6446]

Outstanding videos. Just got a 2007 R1100R, 54k miles. I'm sure I will eventually watch every one of your videos. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@davebogan69]

To start, I've found your videos to be my best source of information for taking care of the 97 R1100R-ABS I got in Dec 2020. The bike came with a dead battery and that led me to your channel. That being said, I have to comment on this one. I did not have to disconnect anything but the battery cables and did not have to remove the tank to change the battery. After removing the seat and the plastic tank trim, I removed the right side tank bolt then lifted the back of the tank and stuck a small block of wood under it to hold it up while I undid the rubber strap holding the battery in, then I wiggled the battery up and out with one hand while lifting the back of the tank a bit more as needed. It's a sealed unit so there's no worry of spillage. Note: I watched the other video on the charcoal canister and removed it as well. I've come back again and again for info on my BMW. Your vids have saved me so much time doing my maintenance on this bike. Thank you.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

You're ready for a flat-rate shop now, good work!

[@TohuWaBohu]

Thanks! With help from this video I was able to swap batteries and spare a bunch of money 👍 I don't have quick connectors, so I let the gasoline hoses connected, also the drainage hoses. Supported the tank with a rope on the right side so it won't fall and rip off the hoses. Would have worked even better if I would have less gas left in the tank 🙈 it was quite full and heavy...

[@pitg1318]

Thanks for that.....very similar the battery location to my 04 gs1150 adv!!! STAY SAFE MY AMIGO 🇲🇽 GOD BLESS US ALL

[@francisaaron4389]

Way cool thanks. Good seeing you brother man. 🛵🕺🏻💃🏽👙👀🛸

[@captlarry-3525]

Like all good Beemer mechanics... good organized brain, and good sense of humor. Big Thumbs Up !

[@chuckpense8717]

I have the same bike Chris.....mine is a "99....been sitting in my garage for 5 years....I want to get it running and back on the road to enjoy riding again.....I appreciate your videos, thank you! I hope all is well with you!

[@franzkramer6963]

Thanx Chris, with the big big help of your video I indeed succeeded in changing the battery of my fat-one ! Keep on doing that stuff franz

[@LeFilosophe1]

"Un grand merci" for those explanation Chris!!

[@micmac1121]

Your a great mechanic! Doc of the BMW!

[@garycotz563]

Just found this and I need to swap out the battery.... THANK YOU Mr Harris... PerFECTo!

[@j.b.8767]

Brother, you have the BEST Beemer videos anywhere online! Thank you! Happy and safe 4th of July, Chris!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thank you. You can help me out and see my newest material on my subscription channel: www.patreon.com/user?u=25101320

[@tdj7161]

Wow !!! That was amazingly well explained !!👍👍👍👍 you could be a trainer !! Excellent and well done !!!

[@k.compton8995]

Thanks for the thorough video

[@mk-cj4fv]

Beautiful bike. Looks like brand new.

[@AYLIH971]

thank you , from France

[@marcosfernandezrapado2648]

Great and clear video, as always. Greetings Mr. Harris

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thank you, Marcos.

[@TwoWheelRocco]

Thank you great video.

[@bamse1955]

Great, you are a good Teacher 👍

[@woodyamsterdam]

Holy crap! That is a lot of work for changing a battery.😮 On my 600 gixer I only have to remove my seat and the battery is right underneath. I wonder what the German engineers were thinking…

[@stephennesbitt4397]

A load of hassle to get to BMW oil head batteries, that's for sure! Easier on the k models, but a degree of patience still required. Those quick release fuel hose connectors are the business. Must get to it if I live long enough! Thanks Chris!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

You are welcome.

[@dougiedickson8221]

I like that wee bike...

[@Redmenace96]

1100RS, first time have owned a BMW. Parting with it soon, I'm not a lifer. Battery cleverly hidden under fuel tank is a big gripe. Tank off to do many things is a gripe. It just makes no sense. Chris H has so many good vids. You should watch them, BEFORE you buy one.

[@VideoFranz78]

Thanks for this video !

[@ChrisR.Harris]

You are most welcome!

[@anselmebadet9563]

un grand merci superbe explication

[@alexandrehenriquemarianohe6016]

Excelente video Chris Harris

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thank you, Alexandre!

[@gprimeofx]

Such a handsome motorcycle 👍

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Under appreciated back in the day... a classic now.

[@peterdewaele5698]

nice man thanks, exellent done

[@greghudzik3770]

Thanks, Chris. Your Videos are always fun.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Great, help me out and see my newest material on my subscription page: www.patreon.com/user?u=25101320

[@greghudzik3770]

Sorry Chris, I'm retired and I keep close track of my pennies. Besides, my BMW is a 2012. You never work on anything that new.

[@Dez456]

I like the R1100R a lot - looks great with black tank and spoked wheels. Miss my R1100RT...

[@ChrisR.Harris]

A classic before its time.

[@NBMedia8928]

I noticed right at the end of the video in the background, was that a K bike with a Sprint fairing on?

[@laurent.pietri]

thanks for the video - what is the brand of fitting quick disconnects - i would like to add them on my bike

[@eliasjabbour31337]

Just got my first Moto, a 2007 bmw R850R with 28k chilometers and the battery died on me the second day. This video is a godsent. I'll be talking to the previous owner because he told me "it's ready for the road"... I was wondering if you ever made the video for changing the fuel hoes connectors since I'll be changing the battery soon I suppose once I unscrew everything it might be better changing those as well

[@46MOTO46]

50 лайк)Thanks Chris. Good maintenance lessons.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

There will be much more. Help me out and see my subscription page for the newest material: www.patreon.com/user?u=25101320

[@jameschandler3308]

Excellent, im now a 99 rs1100 proud owner, like the tip about the charcol canister,, anything else like that on the bike?

[@georgespare4462]

Can we juste disconnect the ground Baterie cable for winter without take the Baterie out

[@mrhowell6842]

Thanks for the demo. About the canister, is it an emissions device?

[@BlogVomMax]

I know this video is two years old but do you know where that back rest is from? I wanna put one on mine for riding two up but cant find a nice looking one like this one

[@mariosepulveda6375]

Hi , I need to ask you a question regarding a 2004 R1150R. Have you changed a battery and your motorcycle is running on one cylinder? or the engine doesn't run smoothly, like a spark plug won't work? And before everything worked perfectly? I await your comments.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

It looks like a lot of screwing, but not too complicated. At least it looks so. :) Thanks for sharing it. Is this the same on all the R850R models?

[@igzabether]

I have this exact same bike, except mine is a 2001. I noticed you have side bags and mounts I haven't seen before. Do you know where I can get those (mounts and bags)? This video was super helpful - thanks!

[@moreandmoreandmore9492]

Nice discription

[@TheWattanneh]

If one does NOT understand what to do after watching this guy's videos there is no hope for that person. 😄

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thanks!

[@hekkenschutz]

What windshield is that?

[@rubencaicedo8206]

I'm having an interesting situation a couple months after the situation you helped me with. I replaced the battery the day before yesterday again. It ran fine. But now it seems to be draining. A suggestion where or what to look for? Fuel pump runs fine. I have to hold the start button a little longer for it to turn, and rev it a little for the battery light to turn off.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Weak brushes in the alternator, perhaps.

[@louislopez55]

If this bike had the charcoal canister would there have been a third/forth hose line connected to it? If so, going to where?

[@ChrisR.Harris]

A 3rd line, yes; vented to atmosphere. Not needed when you delete the canister as you are then venting directly from tank to atmosphere without the middle-man (can).

[@staryjanek]

Oh Boy, do BMW price their machines according to the number of fasteners a bike comes with ? :) Boy, I'll stick with the K75 thanks :) Do I see an FJ1100 back there in the background ? Loved my FJ's ,found it getting too heavy for me, I gave it to a young guy I know, he is a good man and a great mechanic, happy she has found a new home. :)

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Yes, K75; FJ12 ;)

[@stephennesbitt4397]

Would someone please tell me the best battery, and reliability for the boxer series. How many amps? A battery that generates enough voltage on start up, to instigate the Abs module. Thinking R1100RS here, which struggles with this.

[@JohnDoe-bf1fw]

Yuasa on Amazon is the kind i always use. Chris Harris likes Westco from BeemerBoneYard

[@ChrisR.Harris]

I've had a few YUASA batteries that have suffered from sudden death syndrome; a shorted cell plate causing immediate and complete battery failure. I've never had that happen with a Westco battery. 20 amp hour rating is what is called for. A fresh battery, proper headlamp bulb (55/60 watt) and healthy starter will allow for ABS fault-free start-ups. www.beemerboneyard.com/westco12v20p.html

[@rubencaicedo8206]

Thank you for the video! Got a question: after changing the battery (2000 R1100R) my bike can not hold idle without dying, only if I let it warm for close to 20 mins with rpms on the 2,000. It will idle rough, and when I took it out for a spin, it would surge and loose power. It didn't do it before the battery change. Any suggestions? Thanks !!

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Ruben, You've likely dislodged one of the throttle cables at the adjuster on top of the throttle body; probably the right side. With engine off pull up on the right throttle cable and set it back into the adjusters pocket. Verify that each butterfly closes completely at its stop. Start engine. It should idle normally. Good Luck, Chris

[@rubencaicedo8206]

@@ChrisR.Harris thank you for such prompt reply! Will do and will update you as soon as I get to it! Do I need to also reset the TPS as some forums suggest or is that only for 1150GS?

[@rubencaicedo8206]

@@ChrisR.Harris got home and just like you said: right side was slightly out. Put it back again and it is purring! Thanks a lot!

[@235chuck]

Good Video! Did BMW make more R1100R / 850R models or R1100RS models? To me, the RS is rarest. RTs seem to be the most common....

[@mikepick8982]

Great vid, any video of the r1100rs? I just bought a 95 and love it but still learning how to care for her

[@stephennesbitt4397]

The R1100RS is a stunning bike. They are worth more than what the market is pricing them at. I'm in the UK.

[@stephennesbitt4397]

Ha! Loads of hassle to remove the battery as well, but not too bad. Can be slid out from the side.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Many R1100RSL models went up in flames making it a rare model, well done.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

@@mikepick8982 You should come to my subscription channel where my newest material is posted: www.patreon.com/user?u=25101320

[@Morgan-bh5sp]

What are your thoughts on the telelever front end - do you think it was a mistake to drop it from R series?

[@MrBestvirginia]

I'm not Chris, but I do like the telelever a lot. You have to get used to the way it behaves under braking though. I'm not really sure about this "style" of front suspension being for cost saving only, maybe they just wanted to do things differently. What do you mean by "droping it"? They have always kept it on their bigger bikes (R series), it is still present in the 1200 and 1250 models.

[@jsprite123]

@@MrBestvirginia It is not on the latest R1250R models, as far as I know

[@ChrisR.Harris]

The Tele-lever partially masks the feel of the front tire. Yamaha riders had similar complaints about the HUB steering of the GTS1000 when it was released. It was not so prevalent with the Tele-Lever however, until you are pushing the bike to its maximum potential which rarely happens for most riders.

[@MrBestvirginia]

@@jsprite123 you're right, my bad. Weird, since it is still featured on the GS and GSA

[@Morgan-bh5sp]

@@ChrisR.Harris Yeh thought so much and appreciate the reply. My guessing (and I know nothing) it's a fashion thing more than an engineering issue?

[@rickyderose1963]

Can I have my battery for my Rs 1100R on trickle charge without removing the fuel tank?

[@ChrisR.Harris]

A battery Tender can be used through the accessory outlet to maintain a charged battery.

[@rickyderose1963]

@@ChrisR.Harris where is the Accessory outlet on the RS 700 R BMW 2000

[@GadgetMart]

Some of these have a steering damper and some don’t? 🤷‍♂️

[@ChrisR.Harris]

The damper is useless and can become dangerous.

[@GadgetMart]

Chris Harris thanks for the reply

[@jamesellis2784]

850 R owner were the side car.

[@GadgetMart]

I have the R850R 👍

[@JohnDoe-bf1fw]

I'm sure its just as good as the R1100R, but maybe you get better gas mileage. You may also save on insurance rates.

[@GadgetMart]

John Doe only passed my test 2 years ago.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

You have a great model that will run with the 1100 all day. See my subscription channel for my latest videos: www.patreon.com/user?u=25101320

[@ertanuca5463]

Dude you have a problem with ignition key! Fix that

[@henryhawk7038]

All of that just to remove a battery. I'll take the battery out of my Moto Guzzi and have it back in before you get all the plastic off. I don't want to come off sounding like a troll. But if I ever own a Beemer it'll be a airhead . Just like what you have to go thru on a R1150RT just to change a fuel filter or air filter. I do enjoy your videos and expertise.

[@WifeOfMrSmith]

As owner of R1100GS I tend to agree. It's a lot of work to do these simple things like battery replacement, fuel filter replacement. On the other hand valve adjustment, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement and few other are piece of cake. Certainly even MG has its own quirks. But hey, we don't buy motorbikes just for sake of simple maintenance, eh? :)

[@ChrisR.Harris]

Thanks.

[@ChrisR.Harris]

@@WifeOfMrSmith It should be an important consideration though.

[@WifeOfMrSmith]

​@@ChrisR.Harris True, especially if you are your own mechanic. These old BMWs are quite mechanic-friendly bikes. btw. I enjoy your videos, thanks.

[@henryhawk7038]

@@ChrisR.Harris Chris, there was a Very very nice R100RT 60th anniversary bike I waited to late and it got gone at Blue Moon Cycle. .Hated missing that up.

[@geertsturm4182]

oh yeah, u going to delete my rant on the maintenace mob/mafia LOL