Posts: 387
Threads: 43
Likes Received: 1 in 1 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jul 2022
My OEM battery is now some 7 or 8 years past her (unknwn) manufacturing date. She's been mistreated by the former owner, and this is how she performs these last days:
- last frequent rides in October,
- temps these days, lower 40
- put her on a charger, and the charger says "full" without delay
- push the starter button any time, and the engine runs ....
- a few short rides, not enough to charge her ...
NO CHANGE
Last winter the same. Didn't charge, even after 4 weeks in the garage. There was no need to charge.
Sure, this is nothing to complain about, but ... when has lead battery technology made such a leap in performance and lifetime? I am stupefied.
Posts: 23,431
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 511 in 233 posts
Likes Given: 676
Joined: Apr 2025
For most of us it hasn't. Typical life of a battery is 4-5 years.
According to the Yuasa website
How long should a battery last?
AGM: Sealed AGM batteries typically last 3 to 5 years on average. Typically sealed AGM batteries will give warning before completely dying. They will start slower, and require more charging. This is your clue to replace the battery. Typically they do not fail all of a sudden.
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 16,213
Threads: 344
Likes Received: 758 in 420 posts
Likes Given: 892
Joined: Apr 2025
Nah ... hang on Gecko and see how long it lasts.
I've heard of one other OEM battery that has lasted a ridiculous amount of time.
However ... my experience with the sealed AGM batteries differs from the Ferret. I'm on my third now and the first one both failed without warning. Well, as far as I'm aware anyway. It refused to start the engine after it had been running a while and I stopped to fill up with petrol. Luckily, I bump started it and rode to a dealer for a new one. I can't remember exactly what happened to the second one, but it went from working perfectly well to not working well at all quite suddenly.
Posts: 387
Threads: 43
Likes Received: 1 in 1 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jul 2022
(11-25-2023, 03:03 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: Nah ... hang on Gecko and see how long it lasts. I've heard of one other OEM battery that has lasted a ridiculous amount of time.
However ... my experience with the sealed AGM batteries differs from the Ferret. I'm on my third now and the first one both failed without warning. Well, as far as I'm aware anyway. It refused to start the engine after it had been running a while and I stopped to fill up with petrol. Luckily, I bump started it and rode to a dealer for a new one. I can't remember exactly what happened to the second one, but it went from working perfectly well to not working well at all quite suddenly.
That's a little worrisome, I must say. In summer, bump starting a 500+ lbs m/c may be limited to downhill adventures. But now in winter, at an automated gas station with no personal or place to warm up, what you described may just be me turning into a frozen sculpture found the next day by a truck driver. Guess it's either a new battery, or ... I have to selct my gas supply places more carefully.
Posts: 23,431
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 511 in 233 posts
Likes Given: 676
Joined: Apr 2025
(11-25-2023, 03:03 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: Nah ... hang on Gecko and see how long it lasts. I've heard of one other OEM battery that has lasted a ridiculous amount of time.
However ... my experience with the sealed AGM batteries differs from the Ferret. I'm on my third now and the first one both failed without warning. Well, as far as I'm aware anyway. It refused to start the engine after it had been running a while and I stopped to fill up with petrol. Luckily, I bump started it and rode to a dealer for a new one. I can't remember exactly what happened to the second one, but it went from working perfectly well to not working well at all quite suddenly.
No my experience is EXACTLY like yours Cormanus. I cut and pasted what it says on the Yuasa website.
I bought my bike in March 2014.
One day my original battery started fine at home. I stopped at my local shop. Started fine there. Stopped for gas and it wouldn't start. Had to bump start it to get it home. Replaced the battery May 2018. So 4 years.
In January 2023, my second battery started fine at home, went for a ride, stopped for gas and bike wouldn't start. Had to bump start it to get home. So 4 1/2 years.
I'm 1 year into my third battery which will be replaced in January 2027 after 4 years if I'm still riding. Getting too old to bump start.
That's the only thing that worries me about my NC 750 DCT. Bought it June 2021.There is no bump starting them. I am considering one of those little Li-on jump starters to keep in there with my tire repair kit, but no matter, the battery in it will be replaced in June 2025 (4 years) if I'm still riding.
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
Ferret: That is what I sometimes carry is a lithium-based battery booster. Good for 6 cylinder vehicles and less. Compact. Just insurance, but so far not used. The Honda OEM LiFePO4 battery expected to serve 5 to 10 years.
Posts: 23,431
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 511 in 233 posts
Likes Given: 676
Joined: Apr 2025
Dang wish youd have shown it to me at the rally.
Have a pic, or model name. Is it a Norco?
Posts: 7,013
Threads: 94
Likes Received: 484 in 266 posts
Likes Given: 886
Joined: Apr 2025
I think is NoCo?..
What model GB.. they have few
Good stuff, we have a few at work.
Pic or never happened
Posts: 23,431
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 511 in 233 posts
Likes Given: 676
Joined: Apr 2025
Yea youre right PB, NoCo.
