Ok Guys, here we go.

I have an aftermarket 8cell, sealed lithium ion battery from ballistic batteries, I have had my bike for 3 years and after every winter when I go to start her up I have to charge my battery, (isn't a big deal) but when It starts it stays running/driving with no problems at all. All the lights work just fine even the horn but after I shut it off, I can immediately restart the bike but if I let is sit for anywhere around a 1/2 hour or more I need to then again charge my battery?    these batteries are by no means cheap and def. have enough power to work with the bike which leads me to believe that something else is the cause for the destruction of my batteries, I am on number 3 and if I want to ride this year I have to buy another    please help me figure this out :'(

so a new battery and you're fine for the riding season?
and winter comes along and it sits for however long and then it's dead.
did you ever think to disconnect it over the winter?
It maybe lith ion batteries are not for you.

Dave: That's what was confusing me as to why I had to charge the battery every spring to get it to fire up, the battery is supposed to hold life for over a year with out any type of charging. I would be more than willing to try any other brand of battery at this point because of how bad these have proved to be. (although it could be something I am doing?)  my only concern is the size of a different battery, the ballistic battery is really small and that's exactly what I am looking for. discreet. I have never once put the battery on a charger/maintainer until spring comes along and it is low on juice, too low to start the bike. 1 year I jumped the bike with a car, the next I pop started it and the last one I hooked up to a charger, not sure if a special one is required but it did the trick to get the bike started. all 3 times I drove around plenty long enough to let the bike charge the battery, but all 3 times I have needed to recharge/jump/pop start or replace it.  I will look into the earthX on your recommendation though!


Verslagen1: Yes, every year I replace the battery and she is a trouble-less beauty. Every morning (given the weather permits) I go out she starts right up with no hesitation. Then I let her sit for 4 months maybe 5 for winter and I find that my battery needs to be charged. I haven't disconnected it yet over winter to see if it survives, if I get another one this year I will definitely be doing just that. I just want something small and sealed that will get me started every morning.


old_rider: The only thing I can say is I haven't changed a thing to the stock electrical layout. I don't know what could be doing it but I am getting really tired of having to buy a new EXPENSIVE battery to ride around for 1 season.

Dave,

It sounds like the EarthX will be worth giving a try this year. Do you happen to have a model number or hyperlink for the same one in your bike? It would be very much appreciated! Thank You!  

old_rider:

My ground should be the same as the stock ground position. I bridged the wires to reach down lower where the little shelf on the exhaust bracket is. I believe the shelf is for something required in California.

I was also told that my rectifier/regulator could be at fault but I do not know how to tell if this is the case.

Thank you, and another thank you to everyone who replied to this thread! I think I will be ordering the EarthX this year and I will follow up at the beginning of next season with comments and comparisons.  

Dave, Thank you very much!

Ok the old myth about the "concrete will drain a battery" has come up again in some local conversation. Old timers (I'm 52) were convinced that if you sat an automobile battery on concrete, it would kill the battery. I had thought this was just a myth or maybe something to do with older battery design but today's batteries are encased in plastic so I didn't think it's an issue. A buddy of mine (younger than me) told me the other day to put a block of wood under my stand or I'll be buying a new battery. The kickstand on concrete will kill my battery. True or false?

Is your stand on concrete?