Zero Knievel Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Question worth asking. I'm not talking when your bike won't start and you do the trickle charge and it still won't start (or struggles). That bit is easy IF you've been riding regularly (e.g., just last weekend). I'm thinking along the lines of the bike sitting for a month before you ride or plan to do a week-long trip. It might be sensible to pop the charger on before the trip, but you could be hiding a weak battery and not realize it. I used to trust headlight dimming at idle, but with HIDs, that's not a good metric for me. I was wondering about just checking the battery's voltage with the power off (not that it will prove 100% a weakening battery), but if it sits for a while, IIRC, voltage drops a bit and it just might need a "top off" and it will be good for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmike Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 An onboard voltmeter may well be your best indicator. You'll get real time voltage readings under operating conditions (from idle to max rpm). Readings that deveiate from the norm can herald imminent charging system issues (batt, RR, alt...) and prompt an investigation before the problem gets worse/component deteriorates. Some of our members have gotten very creative in crafting onboard voltmeter installations - something I always thought the XX should have had from the factory. There are many available; for example... http://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Digital-Voltmeter-Motorcycle-Battery/dp/B009XQKCQY/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1438020599&sr=1-4&keywords=12v+voltmeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 So, as I have one installed, I'd probably look for consisted sub 12v levels when I go to ON but haven't hit the starter...especially if it had been ridden in the last couple of days. That's what I'd expect of a weak or failing battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmike Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Yes, any reading under 12.6v (key ON, engine not running) suggests the battery might need attention. Note: headlight is typically ON (as a factory default setting), so take that draw into consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 Especially with HIDs. I figure if you aren't reading even 12v, that's a definite warning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBR-RR-XX-CESS Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Let me say the best way is to train your ear to know what a fully charged XX or what ever you ride sounds like. After every failure I have had, I realize the old battery just wasn't spinning the starter as fast as it should. Obviously I am still in training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 I've noticed that too. It's easy to miss if you haven't gotten to ride regularly. It should catch (almost) right away. The one time I knew something was off, it was a small gathering where after a day of riding it struggled to catch (2-3 seconds) when the battery should have been topped off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXBirdSlapper Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Why dont you load test the battery and stop fucking arround? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Why dont you load test the battery and stop fucking arround? I did that earlier (and the battery did great), but I'm not talking about "Oh, I suspect this may be a bad battery, let me take it into town to be tested." I'm talking about your average day and you realize the way the bike's behaving it's tell-tale of the battery starting to fail. The warning signs that would make you think to take it into town to be tested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Get AAA or Honda roadside if it bothers you that much. Sometimes batteries just die, no warning, no bells or whistles going off to let you know this. Have had it happen to me several times, know what I did? I bought another battery and moved on with my life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXBirdSlapper Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Why dont you load test the battery and stop fucking arround? I did that earlier (and the battery did great), but I'm not talking about "Oh, I suspect this may be a bad battery, let me take it into town to be tested." I'm talking about your average day and you realize the way the bike's behaving it's tell-tale of the battery starting to fail. The warning signs that would make you think to take it into town to be tested. thats why I have a load tester. WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT. Paid for itself many times already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 you carry this load tester with you on rides to check at stops? Had my xx leave me in a parking lot at the beginning of a trip. Bike started great that morning, went for a ride to meet my brother in law in a small town. Stopped for a couple minutes and dead as shit. Got jumped, headed down to the local auto zone 1/2 mile away. Went over the system thanks to Hobies electrical check list here.. Yanked battery out, load tested and done. New battery, and back to riding. stator and R/R still going strong 20k miles later. Sometimes they just say fuck it, I quit.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Sometimes the heat does it. In the past, I had more than one car battery start fine cold, drove about 45 minutes, turned off for ten minutes and it was dead. If I opened the hood and let it cool off, it would start again. The heat weakened the older battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBLXX Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 When your bike doesn't start - it's time for a new battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC Randy Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I've been using this to check cold cranking amps and find it to be a good indicator when I need a replacement battery. http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-automotive-battery-analyzer-66892.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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