Battery Question

[VinceF2]

Hello all...

The battery in my VFR (2002) seems to have shit on me... well I think so anyway... this is what I got:

It shows 12.5 volts... but drops to about 3.9 when I try and crank the bike... I jumped the bike down the hill in front of my house and then measured at the battery and I have 13.6 volts when running...

It's been acting up for a little while now... if it sits too long it won't start... if I start it periodicly it seems fine... so to me... sounds like battery...

Thing is... 1) The bike is only 2 years old and 2) I honestly keep all my batteries, this one included, on tenders all winter etc...

So what gives? Is this a normal life span for a $105 sealed, maintanence free YUASA YTZ12S battery?

On a side note... I didn't start having problems with it until after Sky Cycle did the altenator "recall" on it... so part of me wonders if they messed something up...

Anyway... any thoughts or comments welcomed...

Thanks!

Mike

[SSearchVT]

After you stop turning the bike over does it still have 12.5 volts? And when you crank the bike does it turn over or just click, click, click? Hopefully you have cleaned and checked the contacts, and to rule out the battery even more try jumping it with another 12 volt source. Hope this helps. Good Luck...

[Maui]

As far as batteries go. 2 years is pretty much a baseline. I have know a lot of long time bikers who replace every two years because when they die, they die with out notice...

[guru_lou]

You've got a bad battery. It's 2.5 yrs old and 3 yrs is pretty much normal for a bike battery. Some folks get more time out of them, but to be honest, after the 3 yr point, you're taking a chance. You said the bike was 2 yrs old, but if you look at the VIN number plate on the right side of the frame, you'll see that the bike was manufactured in Mar. or Apr. of 2002. Honda already had the batteries in stock, so add another month or two since the battery was manufactured.

Things that will shorten battery life include allowing them to discharge (even once) as that gets the plates sulfated, freezing of the electrolyte, overcharging, etc.

Even a "tender" can overcharge it. Overcharging it can cause the plates to warp and short, leading to a premature death for the battery. The best bet is to put the tender on it for a day or two per month over the winter.

[VinceF2]

Thanks for the replies... I really wasn't sure how long to expect from the battery.

As for a couple of the questions...

the contacts a perfect in all respects... I did check them to be sure but hadn't thought too much about them since the bike only has 5,000 miles on it, has been garaged it's entire life and only seen rain twice Ya I'm anal like that

The voltage on the battery lessens with every attempt.... and the bike only clicks... it does not actually turn over...

Looks like I'm grabbing a new battery... Friggin $105!!! Oh well... do whatcha gotta do...

Thanks again!

Mike

[guru_lou]

You can get a battery cheaper than $105. Call RJs Motorsports in Nashua and get a quote from them. 603-595-8534 (Just to clear the air, that's a shameless plug. I work there sometimes.)

[Billy]

I was actually wondering what a typical battery life is for a motorcyle. Thanks for the info guys!

[beet]

2 years i just read about this in in motor cyclest
found out some stuff i never knew
big suprize
battery are better off under 77 & colder

[SVRACER01]

should be around 13.5 - 14.5 VDC while running maybe a little more

[dhuze]

I asked a couple years ago and was told there was no warranty on a motorcycle battery's life.

[Awesome]

I'm going on 5 years on the 929, with minimul issues. It might be time to replace after this season.

[VinceF2]

Originally posted by hessogood
I'm going on 5 years on the 929, with minimul issues. It might be time to replace after this season.

[R7]

I replaced the battery in my R7 for the first time last year, 6 years old and I never put a tender on it in the winter, though the bike isn't exposed to the cold

[Hardcore]

Originally posted by hessogood
I'm going on 5 years on the 929, with minimul issues. It might be time to replace after this season.

ya me too---or at least I would be if I didn't drill 2 holes in it when I mounted my undertail!

[sandman]

Originally posted by VinceF2
Thanks for the replies... I really wasn't sure how long to expect from the battery.

As for a couple of the questions...

the contacts a perfect in all respects... I did check them to be sure but hadn't thought too much about them since the bike only has 5,000 miles on it, has been garaged it's entire life and only seen rain twice Ya I'm anal like that

The voltage on the battery lessens with every attempt.... and the bike only clicks... it does not actually turn over...

Looks like I'm grabbing a new battery... Friggin $105!!! Oh well... do whatcha gotta do...

Thanks again!
Mike

you should be able to better than 105

once you get the new one installed, make sure the charging system isn't frying your battery.

[VinceF2]

Funny this thread is revived... I bought the new battery last year for like $90 from Chips... been perfect ever since... no issues with the charging... just a bum battery...