10-24-2017, 11:23 AM
I have a cold weather update for this thread. I think previously I'd posted that cold weather starts around freezing would benefit from the lithium battery cold weather procedure of turning the ignition on and letting the current draw warm the battery internally.
Around 32F I didn't have to use the procedure, but the bike would crank noticeably slower if I skipped it.
Fast forward to 10/13/17. The battery is now 2.5 yrs old and I'm in Utah, on my way back home to Phoenix. The temperature was a nippy 25F when I prepared to take off in the morning. I was reminded that I have a lithium battery when I turned the key and hit the starter as usual. The engine made about 1/2 a turn, then I saw both gauges go through the sweep again. This is what you normally see when you have a dying/dead battery. Fortunately, I remembered the procedure and left the ignition on. After about 45 seconds, I hit the starter and she cranked at normal speed and started right up.
To sum up, at 32F the bike would still start without the warm up procedure. At 25F, let it warm up with the ignition on at least 45 seconds before hitting the starter.
Around 32F I didn't have to use the procedure, but the bike would crank noticeably slower if I skipped it.
Fast forward to 10/13/17. The battery is now 2.5 yrs old and I'm in Utah, on my way back home to Phoenix. The temperature was a nippy 25F when I prepared to take off in the morning. I was reminded that I have a lithium battery when I turned the key and hit the starter as usual. The engine made about 1/2 a turn, then I saw both gauges go through the sweep again. This is what you normally see when you have a dying/dead battery. Fortunately, I remembered the procedure and left the ignition on. After about 45 seconds, I hit the starter and she cranked at normal speed and started right up.
To sum up, at 32F the bike would still start without the warm up procedure. At 25F, let it warm up with the ignition on at least 45 seconds before hitting the starter.