Battery Problems?

940 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Nico, Aug 7, 2011

k0nkuzh0n

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2011

So my bike has left me stranded twice now.

First time I went to walmart, get a few things, then went to the Murphy gas station and gassed up. It would not start. After two failed attempts, the battery didn't have enough juice to even try to turn it over. Thought maybe it was my fault. I swear I didn't but its quite possible I could have had the kick stand down, as I was trying to start it in gear.

Now it left me stranded again. Drove down to the beach to chill for 10 minutes. I had the key in the off position but still in the ignition. I tried to start it in neutral and it failed. I don't think if even tried to turn over on the 2nd attempt. I knew right off after the failed first attempt I was doomed.

My bike is a 2007. I bought it about 3 months ago with 1360 miles on it. So it did quite a bit of sitting the past 3 years as the previous owner bought it, joined the marines, got deployed, and never really road it after that.

So is it definitely just a bad battery, or maybe there is bad wiring that is draining the battery? Maybe the alternator is bad? I've had plenty of cases where I've gone to the gym with it and its started up fine.

I'm hoping you guys can help me narrow it down.

And if it is the battery... any suggestions on what to get for a new one?

:banghead: help me!

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Str8_Lurkin

· #2 · Jul 27, 2011

battery is fried... its not turning over because the cells have over expanded. It will only get worst over time. I just suggest you replace it. As you may have notice it only does it when the bike gets hot. Correct?
If so that is your issue.... I just had yo replace mine.

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Str8_Lurkin

· #3 · Jul 27, 2011

you can always get the battery tested at wal-mart for free... just make sure they test the bike while its on and off... I encourage you do so after you rode it there and it is still "hott". Oh and if you just wait a 20mins and let it cool down it will start back up with no problem. But like I said over time not even that will work.

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AlpineJim

· #4 · Jul 27, 2011

Sounds like an old battery. I forgot to take mine out of the bike this past winter and it was dead this spring and wouldn't hold a charge. The batteries I had always had about an avg life of about 3 years.

I bought a Shoria from SuperbikeSupply, and Im really happy with it so far. I think it same or a little less then the OEM replacement price wise. Plus it light and its tiny compared to OEM.

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k0nkuzh0n

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 27, 2011 (Edited)

Wow thanks for the fast responses guys.

No kidding... if I just let it cool down it would start fine... That sure explains why when I go to the gym (or anywhere for an extended period of time) it starts up no problem. And starts up in my garage no problem.

What will getting the battery tested tell me? Does it do like a stress test?

And does walmart sell decent batteries for bikes? or should I get one else where? Because if I go to get it tested, I will probably be stranded lol.

To note: Even after it won't start the bike, it will still illuminate the lights and gauges. It just doesn't have enjoy juice to turn the engine over. Although I'm sure if I tried enough times I could kill it completely. The clock resets usually when this happens as well.

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Str8_Lurkin

· #6 · Jul 27, 2011

k0nkuzh0n said:
Wow thanks for the fast responses guys.

No kidding... if I just let it cool down it would start fine... That sure explains why when I go to the gym (or anywhere for an extended period of time) it starts up no problem. And starts up in my garage no problem.

What will getting the battery tested tell me? Does it do like a stress test?

And does walmart sell decent batteries for bikes? or should I get one else where? Because if I go to get it tested, I will probably be stranded lol.

Well you dont need to get it tested... you confirmed my theory. Just replace the battery.

I currently have a wal-mart battery installed (lol) its working just fine paid $40 for it. I just couldnt convince myself to spend $160 for a battery. Ive heard the last a decent life span. Besides I ride everyday so I wont have to worry about discharge.

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k0nkuzh0n

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 3, 2011

Bought a batter off ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0322706861&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Just switching the key to on and listening to everything power up I could tell the battery had more juice than the previous one. Knock on wood, but so far so good! Tested it out by driving it around the block, letting it sit for 15 minutes, then trying to start it. Started just fine.

Thanks everyone for all the help!

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BDT

· #8 · Aug 3, 2011

If you have a garage I'd invest in a good automatic trickle charger. I've got an optimate 3 and it's fantastic. The Battery Tender Plus is a good one too. I think they're about $50 or so.

I plug my bike in after every ride. It might seem like overkill, but if you don't ride in the winter you'll want one to keep it charged up and keeping a battery 100% charged is the best way to store it. I've never had to replace a battery before and I've had some bikes for 7 years. The 3 seconds it takes to plug it in sure beats spending $$$ on new ones.

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snikkle

· #9 · Aug 3, 2011

My bike's been doing similar things.. I can't turn it on after parking it for a certain period of time, although I do hear the bike trying to start. I went to a shop and got the R/R replaced because he told me the battery checked out fine. A few hours later, it happened again. Any ideas what it could be?

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michaelwood

· #10 · Aug 3, 2011

k0nkuzh0n said:
Wow thanks for the fast responses guys.

No kidding... if I just let it cool down it would start fine... That sure explains why when I go to the gym (or anywhere for an extended period of time) it starts up no problem. And starts up in my garage no problem.

What will getting the battery tested tell me? Does it do like a stress test?

And does walmart sell decent batteries for bikes? or should I get one else where? Because if I go to get it tested, I will probably be stranded lol.

To note: Even after it won't start the bike, it will still illuminate the lights and gauges. It just doesn't have enjoy juice to turn the engine over. Although I'm sure if I tried enough times I could kill it completely. The clock resets usually when this happens as well.

Dood, you may have just wasted money on a new battery.
It's possible your battery was just lowly charged. It's easier to start a cold engine because it has less compression. When the engine heats up the pistons expens in their bores, crating more compression because there's a better seal.

So get your battery tested, then get a Ctek smart charger & maintainer for about $30. It's the best money for an entry level battery charger & maintainer, trust me. You may need a new battery, but it's not a bad idea to have it tested

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Nico

· #11 · Aug 7, 2011

michaelwood said:
Dood, you may have just wasted money on a new battery.
It's possible your battery was just lowly charged. It's easier to start a cold engine because it has less compression. When the engine heats up the pistons expens in their bores, crating more compression because there's a better seal.

So get your battery tested, then get a Ctek smart charger & maintainer for about $30. It's the best money for an entry level battery charger & maintainer, trust me. You may need a new battery, but it's not a bad idea to have it tested

Agreed, but a cold battery doesn't put out as much voltage as a hot one either, once the battery is a little warmer its voltage will rise and so will the current it supplies for a constant load... from what I have seen the battery is a bigger factor than the compression...

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