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Does anyone know what battery #/model I need for my '86 R80? Exide makes the oem gel battery - just don't
see which unit I need. Thanks in-advance for any help.

A lot of people like the Odyssey:

http://www.odysseybattery.com/

I prefer the old fashioned lead acid batteries, that are a better match to the bike's charging system.

Kurt in S.A.

A lot of people like the Odyssey:

As do I.

I use an Odyssey PC680 on my R100. Bought it in 2008. Still very good condition.

In Oz Motobatt cost around half the price of an Odyssey, and they test up just as good.

I had two Odyssey's fail around two years, one in warranty and replaced without question, and one just outside.

Both just died, perfect start one day, full volts but no amps the next.

I haven't had a failure on a Motobatt yet, one is over four years old.

The small 519 - - BMW specific Motobatt starts my hi - comp 1000 cc G/S just fine so no need for anything bigger.

Does your monoshock still have the little 18amp battery, and the deep underseat toolbox? I prefer the larger 30amp batteries of the older twin-shock bikes, and detailed memory of my R80 has faded, but I don't know that the conversion requires any more than a change of the toolboxes.

It does have a deep toolbox for sure. I got the BMW gel battery with the bike when I purchased it about 7 mos.
I don't off-hand know the amps. I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

Thanks to all for the help. Looks like I have some homework to do on my next battery purchase.

Roy Gavin wrote:In Oz Motobatt cost around half the price of an Odyssey, and they test up just as good.

I had two Odyssey's fail around two years, one in warranty and replaced without question, and one just outside.

Both just died, perfect start one day, full volts but no amps the next.

I haven't had a failure on a Motobatt yet, one is over four years old.

The small 519 - - BMW specific Motobatt starts my hi - comp 1000 cc G/S just fine so no need for anything bigger.

I had a similar experience with an early Odyssey that I bought new for my 1150GS. It just up and died after less than two years. I've heard that they've since remedied the problem but I haven't trusted them since although they're very popular. The Exide gel batteries sold by BMW have a reputation among many of also dying an early death. I use only Westco AGM's now and get excellent service. They make one that fits a short wheelbase airhead perfectly. For the later models with the larger battery, they make one that fits perfectly except that it's about a quarter-inch higher then stock. All you have to do is to invert the stock hold-down bracket and then it fits perfectly.