Battery buggered me thinks. Unsure if correct battery

[nudemetalz]

My Guzzi V11 is giving issues starting at present.
It's cranking over slowly and then just the usual flat batt clicking. I've charged it up on the charger and lasts not that long. My jumper leads are crap, but they do eventually get it going from the car.

In the past I've only started it every couple or few weeks while it sits in the garage as I've not ridden it in the last 12 months.

The battery is about 3 years and is a MotoBatt MBTX12U. Is a gel one.
Now I look on the MB spec sheet for the Guzzi and they recommend a MotoBatt MBTX30U.
Does this make much difference? Is the battery too low spec?

I have a MotoBatt MBTX14U in the Mrs's Kawasaki Ninja EX-400 as this is recommended and works fine.
I haven't tried that one in the Guzzi yet,it's an idea though.


What ya reckon?

[AllanB]

Looks like the 12U is listed for your ride and many other big bore twins. My battery tender has a recovery mode for flat batteries apparently, don't know what you have to charge it with but the inactivity over the past year without a regular battery tender attached may have shortened it's life.

Which makes me wonder what do the bike shops do? Trickle charge each bike in the showroom in some sort of order or just allow to throw anew battery in each bike sold?

http://www.motobattasia.com/batteries.php?pid=43

[nudemetalz]

...and it recommends this too
http://www.motobattasia.com/batteries.php?pid=51

One is $88, the other is $220 !!!

(oops edit:- Just saw it's for the V11 Bassa, Calis etc, duh me !!)

Hmmm,....

yeah I wondered too if the stop-starts while in the garage stuffed the battery too, rather than the starter motor.

[avgas]

hmmmm no LiPo4 posters......... am I still on KB?

[bogan]

Sounds pretty ideally suited for the new ultrabatts... Little more pricey than lead acid but heaps less self discharge.

hmmmm no LiPo4 posters......... am I still on KB?

Happy now?

[Akzle]

shush!
Youll rouse ed from his drug induced stupor!

[Edbear]

hmmmm no LiPo4 posters......... am I still on KB?

Yeah, I was resting...

shush!
Youll rouse ed from his drug induced stupor!

Consider me roused...

The Shorai recommendation is the 27L3, which is more in line with the recommendation you quoted from Motobatt for a 30. All the big twins require a higher CCA than the fours of the same capacity. Andrew Stroud ran a 9A in his Gixxer thou for a whole season and a bit before switching to the recommended 14A.

[Edbear]

...and it recommends this too
http://www.motobattasia.com/batteries.php?pid=51

One is $88, the other is $220 !!!

(oops edit:- Just saw it's for the V11 Bassa, Calis etc, duh me !!)

Hmmm,....

yeah I wondered too if the stop-starts while in the garage stuffed the battery too, rather than the starter motor.

Stop/starting will run any battery down after a while, you do need to give the bike a run or charge the battery up every week or two. LiFePO4 batteries do not self-discharge nearly as quick as lead acid do, and they charge a lot quicker as well.

[Pussy]

Get an Ultrabatt, Chris. Problem solved!

[Madness]

Andrew Stroud ran a 9A in his Gixxer thou for a whole season and a bit before switching to the recommended 14A.

Ed, how is this relevant to battery selection for a Moto Guzzi V11?

[nudemetalz]

Ed, how is this relevant to battery selection for a Moto Guzzi V11?

Ah dunt matter,..he did say about the battery running down.

Can a bike shop test a battery to see if it is knackered or would they automatically say "why yes it is stuffed, Sir,...we have a new one right here for you to purchase... "..

Ultrabatts seem rather expensive next to the MotoBatts.

[bogan]

Hit it with a desulphation charger, might bring it back to life. But it'll probably never be good as new again so a trickle charger for in the shed might be a good idea.

[Edbear]

Ed, how is this relevant to battery selection for a Moto Guzzi V11?

To illustrate the difference between a four and a twin. The V11 requires a lot more grunt and while the 12A might start it, the drain really shortens its life, and it should be fully charged each time.

[Edbear]

Ah dunt matter,..he did say about the battery running down.

Can a bike shop test a battery to see if it is knackered or would they automatically say "why yes it is stuffed, Sir,...we have a new one right here for you to purchase... "..

Ultrabatts seem rather expensive next to the MotoBatts.

LiFePO4 batteries are more expensive in the beginning. The advantage is in the long term really, for road bikes. They last longer than the price difference. If you want light weight and small size, that's a no-brainer.

A shop should do the test in front of you.

[nallac]

LiFePO4 batteries are more expensive in the beginning. The advantage is in the long term really, for road bikes. They MIGHTlast longer than the price difference. If you want light weight and small size, that's a no-brainer.

Only time will tell.....