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Message started by raydawg on 01/11/16 at 05:32:01

Title: Spark ?
Post by raydawg on 01/11/16 at 05:32:01

I am not sure, however, after putting in a new battery my bike runs more smooth. I notice when is decelerate I don't get that surging anymore, and it idles way better.
I thought I read here that this girl won't charge at idle, so I am guessing we are borrowing reserve juice from the battery then?

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by pg on 01/11/16 at 07:17:58

A fresh battery makes everything work better. I know it is almost time for a new one when my one turn signal doesn't blink at the same rate. :-?

Best regards,

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by Rodger on 01/11/16 at 07:41:58

Most motorcycles don't really charge until about 2,000 rpm. Found that out when I was commuting about 2-3 miles on my BMW. Went thru 3 batteries under warranty, even though charging system checked out good @ dealership.

I'd start the bike (energy drain #1), ride to work...start bike to ride to lunch (drain #2), the again to ride home (#3). Those energy drains put my battery into any "energy deficit" that was not recharged by a short, stop-&-go ride. On battery #3, I put the 1amp charger on the bike every night for 30-60 minutes (this was in the pre-Battery-Tender days). That battery lasted for over 5 years, at which point I sold the BMW.

Since then, I've installed a battery charger/tender pigtail on every bike I've owned. Besides making the battery last longer, I'm fairly certain it alleviates some strain on the charging system, too.

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by raydawg on 01/11/16 at 07:57:55

Mine is pretty much a daily rider, 23 total miles or so. Most of the speed is above 35 mph, to 60 mph. I guess that is why she went 4 years without a charge or problem. I even ran the water so low the metal was exposed :P

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by Kris01 on 01/11/16 at 08:01:28

My '08 has its original battery. I put the tender on it every now and then and have had no problems with the battery.

What's the average life of these batteries and should I be getting nervous about being stranded on the side of the road?

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by Dave on 01/11/16 at 08:55:55

6A5348521110210 wrote:

Until last year - my 2000 year Honda ST1100 had the original factory battery in it......that was 15 years! The previous owner did use a battery tender. The dealer told me that the replacement batteries never last as long as the original Honda (Yuasa) batteries.

I believe that most folks plan on batteries to last about 4 years. If your battery is allowed to go flat and stay flat for an extended period - you are not going to get a battery to last a long while.

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by Rodger on 01/11/16 at 09:28:09

Automotive & (especially) motorcycle lead-acid batteries don't do well when run down flat. (Also, a dead battery can freeze, possibly damaging the internal plates &/or cracking the case.) I have NO experience with the AGM batteries, though.

Your 23-mile commute should keep the battery mostly charged, as long as there are no long idling periods, say, lots of long stop lights.

I have a 2001 Toyota Highlander, bought used, & forgot to turn off the map light once, completely draining the battery. It came back when trickle charged, but cranked the starter more slowly than before. When load tested @ Carquest, it failed. When we put in new Carquest battery, the parts store owner said, "Hey, this is the factory OEM battery!". It had lasted for 12 years, but that one run-down finally killed it.

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by norcalscot on 01/11/16 at 09:28:31

My battery was low on fluids and I had starting problems. Once I topped it off again the problem was fixed. Just this past month I have only ridden the bike 2 or 3 times and last time I tried to start it I had problems again. A night on the charger and it fired right up. Guess it's time to replace mine too...

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by Rodger on 01/11/16 at 20:31:49

This inexpensive battery hydrometer/tester ($2):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Everstart-991W-Everstart-Battery-Accessory/16880587

will help you test the individual cells of the battery, & a voltmeter can test the overall charge:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Battery-Tester-GBT-500A/44642720

Yes, it's possible that you need a new battery, but these tools will verify The battery's actual condition before spending $45-65 on a new one. Also, if you do buy a battery and fill it with the acid, it should be fully charged before installing it. The $2 hydrometer will tell you if the new battery is fully charged by how many spheres float (directions on its use are included).

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/11/16 at 22:54:24

Every time they replace the battery in my pacemaker I do more, easier. I'm faster, funnier, sexier, tougher, pretty much same effect as beer had on me when I was young.

Title: Re: Spark ?
Post by raydawg on 01/12/16 at 03:51:34

455A5C5B4641704070485A561D2F0 wrote:

Every time they replace the battery in my pacemaker I do more, easier. I'm faster, funnier, sexier, tougher, pretty much same effect as beer had on me when I was young.

That noggin knock really distorted your perception pal..... ;D