2006 battery: Charge or just replace?

[pzkpfw]

OK, so have not been able to get on the bike in a few weeks. (Don't commute on it, house, family, job, contracting, supermodels, etc...)

Today it wouldn't start - not enough juice in the battery.

It's a 2006 bike (2005 model), so I wonder if instead of charging it I should just buy a new battery.

That is - I know charging it would be cheaper (if it works), but what's the design life of a bike battery anyway? Maybe it's overall easier just to install a new battery and ride off?

(Just been through this with my car - tried charging the battery a few times, then gave up and bought a battery and it's been faultless since. Did I just answer my own question?)


Also - it's a fuel injected bike - are there any special precautions when trying to start it the first time after the new battery goes in? Possibly a stupid question, but, ...

[BAY CITY MOTORCYCLES]

I'd be inclined to have the battery checked to see if it has had its day but I'd say it's done.
4 years isn't too bad

[unstuck]

I'd be inclined to have the battery checked to see if it has had its day but I'd say it's done.
4 years isn't too bad

Ha ha, four years is pretty good,get a new one.

[Gremlin]

I'm going to be different and say replace...

[pzkpfw]

Thanks everyone. Bling has been blung.


What's a "fair cost" for a battery? I can't be arsed shopping around (I'll be walking) so will buy in the first place I walk in to - if it seem$ OK.

[James Deuce]

Piece of string. Don't worry about price, just get a sealed Yuasa.

[BAY CITY MOTORCYCLES]

Piece of string. Don't worry about price, just get a sealed Yuasa.

Very good batteries, we have never had any problems with Auotbat's as well which are slightly more affordable.

[neels]

As above, 4 years is a good life for a battery, time for a new one.

Only thing to do before you stick the new one in the bike is give it a good charge, to make sure it has a good start to a long and happy life.

[kiwifruit]

Get a new one. $100?

[cbfb]

Sounds buggered and it's only going to get worse over winter.

[schrodingers cat]

It isn't too hard to do a load test.

Charge the battery overnight.

Put a multi meter across the battery terminals and see what the voltage is. Should be around 13v plus

Get a 12v 35 - 50w bulb and lash up some wiring so it is possible to connect the light to the battery

Now, with the mutli-meter attached and reading connect the bulb for 30 sec or so.

The voltage should tick down (normal) but not race down. It the voltage suddenly 'collapses' esp to anything under 9.5v then the battery is pretty much poked.

It you perform the test on a cold morning you'll get real world results

[James Deuce]

It isn't too hard to do a load test.

For God's sake, don't encourage him. Tomorrow, he'll be posting up how many prototypes of the test equipment he made, the pros and cons of each and which one he is using for the patent application.

[Owl]

The voltage should tick down (normal) but not race down. It the voltage suddenly 'collapses' esp to anything under 9.5v then the battery is pretty much poked.

Hell, at 11.5v, my bike doesn't have a prayer of starting. Waiting for a new Shorai battery to arrive

Edbear

[EB255GTX]

Do you have access to a charger? If you do, what's to lose by trying charging it? Well, that's my pragmatic way of looking at it anyways If it holds enough charge to start the bike, you won't have to walk to get the new battery....and you'll have the old one available if you want to check the size or somethign of the new ones available.

If you don't have access to a charger and it's 4 years old, yeah as everyone says, just get a new one. As for fuel injection and first start - nothing different to any other start. Also as for giving it a good charge before or after installing, just go for an hour or so ride!

[schrodingers cat]

Hell, at 11.5v, my bike doesn't have a prayer of starting. Waiting for a new Shorai battery to arrive

Edbear

If lead acid batteries drop under 9.7v it damages them.
THe voltage under load is what I was suggesting is of interest.
It is common enough for a battery to show 13v but having a dud cell, as soon as it is loaded the arse falls out of it