08-25-2014, 07:40 AM
A quick, very unscientific test that has worked for me for many years....
Say your battery seems charged but you wonder about its true health, and if it will leave you stranded. Turn key to ON so the headlight is lit. Do not start it. Just leave the headlight on like that for at least 5-10 minutes. Then shut off, and then try to start the bike. If it starts right up, its good. Anything else, like if it strains or doesn't start, it's a goner.
Say your battery seems charged but you wonder about its true health, and if it will leave you stranded. Turn key to ON so the headlight is lit. Do not start it. Just leave the headlight on like that for at least 5-10 minutes. Then shut off, and then try to start the bike. If it starts right up, its good. Anything else, like if it strains or doesn't start, it's a goner.