I have an AGM that I have had in the bike since September 2013. My bike is stored in a garage (no excessive hot and cold exposure). My battery is showing no signs of trouble, but I am about to get into my "riding season" with several long weekend rides and the last thing I want is a dead battery whilst off having a good time.

Considering average battery life and the fact that AGMs give no sign of dying...they just die, am I wasting money going ahead and getting a new battery to replace this 3.5 year old AGM?

If I get a new one, I was going to probably go with youzguys recommendation of he Big Crank: http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX15L-Battery.html

[quote author=232435273D393C3C23500 link=1490070216/0#0 date=1490070216]I have an AGM that I have had in the bike since September 2013. My bike is stored in a garage (no excessive hot and cold exposure). My battery is showing no signs of trouble, but I am about to get into my "riding season" with several long weekend rides and the last thing I want is a dead battery whilst off having a good time.

Considering average battery life and the fact that AGMs give no sign of dying...they just die, am I wasting money going ahead and getting a new battery to replace this 3.5 year old AGM?

Don't let me stop you from spending money, but I don't change out a working battery. If it's holding a healthy static charge (12.6-12.8VDC overnight) and doesn't drop below 10.5VDC under cranking load - then it gets used. A well cared for battery can last anywhere from 3 days to 6 years - so I tend not to over think it.

You could always keep a new backup in the garage, but if your current  battery (pun) lasts two more riding seasons (and it could), then you really wasted money on the new battery.

I checked the battery this morning and it read 12.24v. This is after my last ride being about two weeks ago. Is 12.24v ok for 2 weeks of sitting?

Haven't had a chance to check it under load, may try that later this week.

Dave,
Are you making note of my back seat being crammed full of stuff?    I do tend to overpack, but hey...when someone says "I need a purple whizzergidet with a half-moon twist at the top" you can bet I probably have one in there somewhere.

Thanks Gary.  I'll see about getting some measurements this week and report back.

Pack some jumper cables and run it til you're stranded.  It's a good way to meet new people and make friends.  Or buy a battery every other year and feed the landfill.  I like cheap and eco-friendly, especially when eco-friendly happens to be cheap.

batman wrote on 03/21/17 at 19:30:46:


Some ride to it....some don't.

I don't, as I generally have to leave after a City Council meeting and my trip doesn't start until 8 - 10 PM.  It is a 5 hour drive in my car if I hustle, and I don't get to the area until 1-3 AM!  On that first night I sleep in my trailer.  Also when I am in a hurry to get there....the first 4 hours of the trip is on I-75, and it is a horribly busy highway between Cincinnati and Knoxville.  Riding a motorcycle on I-75 isn't much fun - the last hour of my trip is a much calmer ride as I have left the interstate and the mountain scenery and curves would make a nice bike ride.  And maybe most important for me.....my Savage is a Cafe' conversion, and I don't have any place for luggage.

MMRanch rides to the Dragon from Lynchurg, and he has found a really nice route - and part of it is the Cherohala Skyway!  Oldfeller and old_rider haul their bikes sometimes - trailer sometimes.  Verslagen and Lancer have to haul the bikes as they are coming from far out west.

When I am retired and can take more time.....I could ride down US 27 which is known as Dixie Highway - it is a bit like the East/West Route 66 was, as Dixie Highway was the major north/south route before the interstate highway system was built.  The road is often "Main Street" to most of the small towns along the way.....it was a road that even provided the Stage Couch route in this area.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_27

Well everyone as different circumstances to deal with,we all need to do it the best we can . I wish you all a safe trip and a memorable time!

It's holding its charge quite nicely. Enjoy your riding season with that well cared for battery.