12-01-2016, 12:30 AM
One thing that can be a real issue on these less expensive bikes is the voltage regulator/rectifier. I was just looking at these images and noted the regulator is huge, with giant fins, and located right up front in the wind to keep it cool.
Now, I have to say that several Yamaha motorcycles I owned from the late eighties and early nineties had horrible voltage regulators which would fail often. It was a small, potted aluminum thing bolted to the subframe, got very hot, and ultimately melted and failed when you were far from home. I got to keeping a spare regulator with me, it was so bad.
So this thing seems to have far better electrics than the Japanese motorcycles of the 80's and even later, at least in design. I'll have to check the alternator output, I want to replace the lead/acid battery with a Shorai but it needs to have a minimum of 13.1 V. The current battery is serious old-school, with the vent tube hanging under the bike. It gurgles and hisses when on the charger. Makes me nervous.
Now, I have to say that several Yamaha motorcycles I owned from the late eighties and early nineties had horrible voltage regulators which would fail often. It was a small, potted aluminum thing bolted to the subframe, got very hot, and ultimately melted and failed when you were far from home. I got to keeping a spare regulator with me, it was so bad.
So this thing seems to have far better electrics than the Japanese motorcycles of the 80's and even later, at least in design. I'll have to check the alternator output, I want to replace the lead/acid battery with a Shorai but it needs to have a minimum of 13.1 V. The current battery is serious old-school, with the vent tube hanging under the bike. It gurgles and hisses when on the charger. Makes me nervous.