Batteries on motorbikes do not seem to last long

[rocketman1]

I am not sure why but I seem to keep on replacing my motorcycles batteries. Seems a generic comment but I have 3 bikes and have to replace at least one battery per year on average. Should I think of investing in a trickle charger? if so what sort, do I have to disconnect the battery to trickle charge?
My thoughts are that by not using the bikes very regularly, destroys the batteries.

[bogan]

Trickle chargers can connect up to auxilary plugs (often hidden behind the number plate), so you don't need to take out the battery, literally takes less than 30secs to connect up in a well set up shed. You might be able to connect all three to the same trickle charger too. I know Liam at fastbikegear has good knowledge about the batteries and trickle charges he sells.

Also, do the bikes have clocks or anything else that would create a continuous drain on the battery? as that won't help things at all.

[Edbear]

I am not sure why but I seem to keep on replacing my motorcycles batteries. Seems a generic comment but I have 3 bikes and have to replace at least one battery per year on average. Should I think of investing in a trickle charger? if so what sort, do I have to disconnect the battery to trickle charge?
My thoughts are that by not using the bikes very regularly, destroys the batteries.

Lead acid and their derivatives don't like sitting around. They self-discharge at a rate that can kill them in 3 to 4 months. They need a tender to maintain them, even if they are disconnected and have no draw on them from the vehicle's electrical system.

The advantage of LiFePO4 batteries is that if there is no draw they will sit there happily for a year or more. If there is a draw, all batteries will need a tender. Use a proper tender though, not just a trickle charger.

[FJRider]

I am not sure why but I seem to keep on replacing my motorcycles batteries. Seems a generic comment but I have 3 bikes and have to replace at least one battery per year on average. Should I think of investing in a trickle charger? if so what sort, do I have to disconnect the battery to trickle charge?
My thoughts are that by not using the bikes very regularly, destroys the batteries.

Few battery manufacturers give more than a 12 month warranty (motorcycle or car) ... coincidence .. ???

Use it or lose it.

[pete376403]

Oxford "oximiser" is keeping my Motobatt alive. Cheaper than a new battery
http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/1428-oxford_battery_chargers/4156-oxford_oximiser_900_battery_ch.aspx

[rustyrobot]

Oxford "oximiser" is keeping my Motobatt alive. Cheaper than a new battery

+1 :niceone:

Oximiser has a quick connect cable that you attach to the battery terminals which has a waterproof cover. You slip it somewhere discrete on the bike and then no more taking off the seat (or whatever - it's even worse and much more tedious on my bike) to get to the battery.

At my last place the bike was outside so I couldn't leave it plugged in all the time and I wasn't riding on a daily basis. Just put it on for half an hour before riding every week or two and it kept the battery going fine. Before that I was going through a battery in 8-10 months (Italian electrics).

[Hitcher]

Neither I nor Mrs H have ever had to replace a motorcycle battery. That's 11 bikes and over 400,000km ridden in 12 years.

[FJRider]

Neither I nor Mrs H have ever had to replace a motorcycle battery. That's 11 bikes and over 400,000km ridden in 12 years.

Some write their bikes off ... before the battery needs replacing ... :pinch:

A bit like buying a new car ... to save time instead of emptying the ash tray ... ;)

[Edbear]

I sold my bike with 27k on the clock after 7 years and still on the original battery.

[Edbear]

Few battery manufacturers give more than a 12 month warranty (motorcycle or car) ... coincidence .. ???

Use it or lose it.

I just replaced the original battery in the Kizashi after 80k and 3,1/2 years with a new Repco one. It came with a 3 year warranty.

[caseye]

I just replaced the original battery in the Kizashi after 80k and 3,1/2 years with a new Repco one. It came with a 3 year warranty.

ED!, no replacement to fit, seems strange???????????????????
Nice car bro.

[Edbear]

ED!, no replacement to fit, seems strange???????????????????
Nice car bro.

Waiting for the bigger models with a greater reserve to come out. So much of modern cars is electric these days. One worked fine in the MX5 for 18mths until we sold it. Left the battery in it too. Another guy with a Subaru Forester had no problems with the 27A in his car either.

[pete376403]

Maybe because of the size, or possibly superior charge and control circuitry, but car batteries seem to last way longer. I have a 2003 JDM Honda Accord purchased about 5 years ago, which had some obscure brand Japanese battery. The car gets used maybe 2 -3 times a week, short trips mainly, yet that battery lasted till just recently.
The KLR is onto its fourth battery since 2008. Hopefully the Oximiser will help this one last a bit longer.

[Gremlin]

As already said, it's probably your irregular use that's shortening the life of the battery.

It took about 9 years and a winter to finally kill the original CB919 battery, and that was about 120k, so not bad going at all. The BMW one I replaced after a couple of years as a preventative measure, as the OEM ones are known to work work work, not work, even mid trip. Couldn't afford to have that, so put a Shorai in since circa 2011. Modern bikes are now much like cars, voltage has to be in a small band, otherwise nada.

Dad's 2001 Merc has a monster battery, and we believe it's still on the original... replacing it won't be cheap tho :laugh:

[caspernz]

Oxford "oximiser" is keeping my Motobatt alive. Cheaper than a new battery
http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/1428-oxford_battery_chargers/4156-oxford_oximiser_900_battery_ch.aspx

Yep this works for me as well :niceone:

[mulletman]

Neither I nor Mrs H have ever had to replace a motorcycle battery. That's 11 bikes and over 400,000km ridden in 12 years.

Hmm 6 bikes and 15 yrs for me , 1 advantage of single bike ownership i spose.

[AllanB]

Trickle chargers are a good investment if you have a keeper bike.

[speedpro]

Lead Acid batteries also don't seem to like deep cycles. They'll do it but the life could be shortened. So it seemed with a friend who only had solar panels and batteries. Bigger battery sets lasted longer and the thought was that it was down to just how discharged they got between charges. Could be why the Merc battery is lasting longer. Batteries used very regularly even for very short trips can last a very long time. Letting them go flat through lack of use, which is a deep cycle, is a sure fire way to kill them. Battery tenders solve problems.

[baffa]

As said, lead acids are not designed to be completely discharged.
I've found once your average automotive battery is over about a year old, you completely drain it a couple of times and it is enough to kill it. Keep it constantly topped up with regular running or charging, and they can last for as long as 5-10 years.

[Blackbird]

+1 :niceone:

Oximiser has a quick connect cable that you attach to the battery terminals which has a waterproof cover. You slip it somewhere discrete on the bike and then no more taking off the seat (or whatever - it's even worse and much more tedious on my bike) to get to the battery.

At my last place the bike was outside so I couldn't leave it plugged in all the time and I wasn't riding on a daily basis. Just put it on for half an hour before riding every week or two and it kept the battery going fine. Before that I was going through a battery in 8-10 months (Italian electrics).

Pretty much my experience too. The Yuasa battery on my Street Triple is original and about 5 1/2 years old. The bike gets used a couple of times a week and if it ever sits for a week or more, I just hook it to the Oximiser for a couple of hours. The key is not to let it sit around for long periods. Our boat marine battery is hooked up a solar panel and it works a treat as we only get out every few weeks.

[mossy1200]

My bike comes with a 8.4amp battery and they give you a charger with the bike. Still trying to work out if this is good news or bad.

[insomnia01]

My bike comes with a 8.4amp battery and they give you a charger with the bike. Still trying to work out if this is good news or bad.

More a brand thing i think Mossy Lol

[bogan]

My bike comes with a 8.4amp battery and they give you a charger with the bike. Still trying to work out if this is good news or bad.

Not bad if it is a trickle charger. Not good if it is a desulphation charger. Really bad if they threw in a multimeter :bleh:

[mossy1200]

Not bad if it is a trickle charger. Not good if it is a desulphation charger. Really bad if they threw in a multimeter :bleh:

There is a telescopic kick starter in the tool kit.

[bogan]

There is a telescopic kick starter in the tool kit.

Oh. GLWS :bleh:

[Flip]

Battery in the HD lasted 8 years. The ones in the landy lasted 12.

Trickle charger extends the battery life about 100%.

[Motu]

The bike was sluggish to start this morning, and almost didn't start tonight coming home. Coincidental with fitting handlebar heaters, but it's 6 years old, and records going back 28 years confirm that's exactly how long they last. I'll put it on charge for 24 hrs and test tomorrow night, but I think it's done.

[BMWST?]

As already said, it's probably your irregular use that's shortening the life of the battery.

It took about 9 years and a winter to finally kill the original CB919 battery, and that was about 120k, so not bad going at all. The BMW one I replaced after a couple of years as a preventative measure, as the OEM ones are known to work work work, not work, even mid trip. Couldn't afford to have that, so put a Shorai in since circa 2011. Modern bikes are now much like cars, voltage has to be in a small band, otherwise nada.

Dad's 2001 Merc has a monster battery, and we believe it's still on the original... replacing it won't be cheap tho :laugh:
a huge Hella will cost you about 400

[R650R]

Got over 7 years out of Yuasa on the GSXR. When I finally killed it the thing was near dead shorting it self and showing all sorts of odd voltages...
Intermittant use too but would hit it with car battery charger now and then plus garaged, stable temp.
Have a tender on the DR as tracker drains the battery a bit if bike not used. Be interesting to see how long it lasts, the big single sucks a fair bit of juice to crank over I think...

[Motu]

I got a Motobatt, no more acid to worry about. Cranks over a lot faster than the Yuasa ever did, and it was charged regularly when I didn't ride everyday.

[scracha]

I got a few of these many years back...fitted a couple with crocodile clips and seems sorted. Cheap as chips too.

312686

[Big Dog]

I got a few of these many years back...fitted a couple with crocodile clips and seems sorted. Cheap as chips too.

312686

$20 at the warehouse ATM.

https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/TWL-B2C-Site/en_NZ/-/NZD/ViewProductDetail-Show?ProductID=ufMKBTFwCNgAAAE5T6NRBJHn

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[jonnyk5614]

Mate of mine in the UK was a cop. They used to drive their big BMWs to accidents and leave the lights on too long, flattening the battery.
Joke was, what with Health and Safety, they couldn't jump start cars and nor could they recharge the batteries back at the garage (they release hydrogen you know...). Instead, they'd fit a new battery and chuck the old one. Anytime he wanted a battery, he nipped round the back of the garage, picked one off the pile and recharged it. We all got lovely big Bosche batteries for Christmas.

Wasn't the same with the bikes - they had a feature to keep the engine running without the key, so long as the bike stayed in Neutral.

[Gremlin]

Wasn't the same with the bikes - they had a feature to keep the engine running without the key, so long as the bike stayed in Neutral.
Don't know about the cars, but the bikes usually run a dual battery system (I know NZ does) where the power hungry accessories run off the accessory battery with the main charging it. Therefore, you slowly lose the accessories but the bike will still start.