Taking care of my batteries

[Rocky]

After I flip over to the next month on the calendar, I pull out my motorcycle batteries and hook them up to my Battery Tender. They are stored for the winter in a cool dry place and rarely ever need to be topped up by the charger. I hook them up one at a time and almost immediately they go into float mode.
Here they are all lined up and waiting for a jolt of juice
Oddly enough, the largest one is for the Bonneville and the smallest one is for the H***a.

 

[CarlS]

I keep a battery tender on my TR6 and on my T100 with the sidecar. I ride my Tiger frequently enough - like nearly everyday.

 

[Rocky]

I ride my Tiger frequently enough - like nearly everyday.

Yeah....OK....rub it in CRY
But yesterday I was shovelling snow!!! I did something you didn't!! So there, take that, na, na, na, na, na!!!!!

 

[CarlS]

Yes, you certainly did something that I did not do - nor do I want to do it. I spent much of the day dressed in shorts and tee shirt cleaning Mabel's roof. I did take about a 45 minute ride for break.

 

[DaveM]

I see you only use the great batteries as well and that helps, they may be a bit more expensive but well worth it. Those Battery Tender sure are handy and well worth the money

 

[Rocky]

I see you only use the great batteries as well and that helps, they may be a bit more expensive but well worth it. Those Battery Tender sure are handy and well worth the money

I think it pays to buy a quality battery. They aren't cheap, but they give me good service and last a long time.
Some of my friends buy the cheapest battery they can find and end up buying one about every other year it seems.
They do the same thing with tires.
I realize that some don't have a lot of money to spend on such things, but you end up paying the same or more in the long run.
Oh well, as long as they're safe and having fun, who am I to judge.

 

[DaveM]

I tend to also try and look at it as get the best you can possibly afford especially when it comes to safety issues. My battery is still the original and seems to still be going strong but I fear that I will need a new one soon as it has been 7 years now

 

[Rocky]

I tend to also try and look at it as get the best you can possibly afford especially when it comes to safety issues. My battery is still the original and seems to still be going strong but I fear that I will need a new one soon as it has been 7 years now

Yes, the battery in my T100 is the original battery too and is getting on in age, but I generally get as much as 8-9 years from the Yuasa batteries. A lot depends on where and how they are used. Batteries used in year-round hot climates may not last as long though.

 

[CarlS]

Good batteries in this climate seem to last four to six years. The heat gets to them eventually.

 

[Rocky]

Good batteries in this climate seem to last four to six years. The heat gets to them eventually.

I thought that was the case as I seem to recall you mentioning this before.
Up here, my batteries "rest" for about five months.

 

[DaveM]

Well I will see how much longer my one last as I am not having any problems with it so far

 

[Rocky]

Well I will see how much longer my one last as I am not having any problems with it so far

Well, that's about all you can do except replace it now or next year as a precaution before it begins to fail.

 

[DaveM]

I will also need to look at replacing my tyres (tires) soon

 

[Rocky]

I will also need to look at replacing my tyres (tires) soon

Me too. Mine have just over 15,000 km's on them and the wear is down to the wear bars. They would not pass vehicle inspection next year - not that I would ride on worn out tires anyway.
It's quite surprising how both tires have worn out so evenly. Usually it's the rear that needs replacing first.
The bike came with Metzler's and they gave good service so may stick with them.

 

[CarlS]

Well I will see how much longer my one last as I am not having any problems with it so far

When they go, they go. Often there is no warning. You try to start it and it is dead or does not have enough power to start the bike. Electronic ignition demands a full battery.

 

[Rocky]

When they go, they go. Often there is no warning. You try to start it and it is dead or does not have enough power to start the bike. Electronic ignition demands a full battery.

Yes, when they get older, it's a fine line between taking a chance for another year or springing for a new one before a cell dies or it suddenly goes dead altogether.
In two cases I had only a cell do bad and this gave me enough warning to get a new one.
In one case I was out for a ride and stopped for gas. The engine started beautifully that morning, but suddenly the starter would barely turn over. The engine finally did start so I beat it for home.
In the other case I was home and the starter wouldn't turn the engine over fast enough to start it.
Both times lucky and I didn't get stranded.

 

[DaveM]

This is the thing you don't need to be caught out on a ride and the bike won't start as they are heavy to try and push all by yourself. Hmmm ...... me thinks that maybe I should just spring for a new battery now

As far as changing my tyres (tires) I have not thought about what I should replace them with as my Metzler's also seemed to have served me well so far

 

[bullet]

Anybody using LI-iron battery's ?


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[CarlS]

I have not tried one yet. I am also interested if anyone here is using one.

 

[bullet]

I am, the brand I am using is Alien Nation, now before you go all moggie on me I know our winters are not that cold as in some places in the USA, or where ever you are.
I have the battery fitted for two years now and my bike is no baby it's a GSX1400. So two winters and around 6 negative and been having temp of 35 degrees plus this summer and in November last year spent a long weekend in 42 degrees plus temps and not a concern yet.
This battery is a third in size of the original, the original battery weight is around 2.6-3.0kg the LI-iron battery is the "biggest" in their range at that time for 1200cc and larger engines, tips the scale at 600g.
You do need a special charger for LI-iron battery's for the hibernation if you do that, I bought one just so I have one for in case and the charger has a LED that indicates when the battery is taking charge it is red and full is green.
So I have over this weekend for the first time put the charger on to see what the state would be from the chargers point of view and the LED took a whole of four seconds to change from red to green, my conclusion is the battery is still in excellent condition.

If you look at my tread fitting the PC5 you will see the battery.


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