Curious things in my Owners Manual

[Mattster]

Just finished reading my Owners Manual today while sitting at the shop getting my first oil change. I bought the bike (a 2020) about three weeks ago with only 347 miles.

The Owners Manual suggests that there is an additional 12v lighter socket located under the seat and that it is suitable for use when charging the battery or jump-starting the bike. But when I look under the seat with two of the mechanics from my shop we find no such thing.

Is this an option that can be installed? Was it available on older models but not 2020?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[DrCohen]

Just finished reading my Owners Manual today while sitting at the shop getting my first oil change. I bought the bike (a 2020) about three weeks ago with only 347 miles.

The Owners Manual suggests that there is an additional 12v lighter socket located under the seat and that it is suitable for use when charging the battery or jump-starting the bike. But when I look under the seat with two of the mechanics from my shop we find no such thing.

Is this an option that can be installed? Was it available on older models but not 2020?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

You can buy a very expensive BMW pigtail and socket and install it under the seat. Or you can buy a fused SAE pigtail like this one for a few bucks at any auto store, attach it directly to your battery, and leave the SAE connector just outside the tupperware so you can connect a battery tender. That's what just about everyone does. In fact, my BMW dealer did it without even asking me when they set up the C650GT I bought new from them.
But you really REALLY don't want to jump-start with either the BMW under-seat socket or the SAE pigtail; the wires are much too skinny to carry the current.

 

[Riding Foo]

Just finished reading my Owners Manual today while sitting at the shop getting my first oil change. I bought the bike (a 2020) about three weeks ago with only 347 miles.

The Owners Manual suggests that there is an additional 12v lighter socket located under the seat and that it is suitable for use when charging the battery or jump-starting the bike. But when I look under the seat with two of the mechanics from my shop we find no such thing.

Is this an option that can be installed? Was it available on older models but not 2020?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

Well Mattster, I think you beat me. I bought a 2020 650GT last May or so and it had 360 miles. I have the post from May '23 that will attest to it. I absolutely love the ride and so does my wife (when she goes). I saw the question about the charging socket and I had the same issue. I looked everywhere underneath the seat and it was nowhere to be found. There is a socket in my left glove box but it takes a smaller plug than a "standard" plug. I wanted to use it as a battery tender. Instead, I bought a rat tail and installed it directly to the battery, running the wire down by where the right side tupperware meets the fork. I have to get down on one knee to plug it in but so far (I'm 67) can still get up without too much trouble..

Don't forget to have your 600 mile service. I took it in and the service mgr told me that it's really mileage OR time for service so pay attention to that. I used to do all my maintenance but now 6,000 miles will probably take 2 years so I'll just let them do it. He also offered me slightly more than what I paid for it because he says there's still quite a bit of demand.

 

[Delray]

Existing thread on this forum with a lot of good info:

Where is the 2nd onboard power socket? ('20 GT)

The manual refers to an additional onboard power socket in the rear storage compartment. I am assuming it means the storage area under the seat, which I have looked over several times and can't find and indication of one being there. I would like to use it for trickle charger as it has already...

www.bmw-scooters.com

 

[Mattster]

You can buy a very expensive BMW pigtail and socket and install it under the seat. Or you can buy a fused SAE pigtail like this one for a few bucks at any auto store, attach it directly to your battery, and leave the SAE connector just outside the tupperware so you can connect a battery tender. That's what just about everyone does. In fact, my BMW dealer did it without even asking me when they set up the C650GT I bought new from them.
But you really REALLY don't want to jump-start with either the BMW under-seat socket or the SAE pigtail; the wires are much too skinny to carry the current.

I understand wire size and current. Don’t even know that I would actually ever use it but I’m discovering features by reading the manual. And yeah, I usually tuck the pigtail for the trickle charger under the skin and connect right to the battery.