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(01-03-2022, 01:23 AM)The A-man_imp Wrote: I'm on the "just get a new one bandwagon". I had a similar quandry just before last summer's "Three Amigos Ride Again" trip. I pulled the weak battery, went to Advance Auto Parts, and for about $130-$150, I bought myself peace of mind that will last for several more years. Plus, they offered Die Hard Batteries, which I've always had a great deal of confidence in.
BTW - I previously tried an very expensive L-ion battery and only got about 2 years out of that piece of crap. So, I'm hooked on "old school" wet batteries, based on cost and longevity.
Buy the battery, buy the battery, buy the....!
![[Image: f8ac96ec09eb4f6b5c940583d8adf6ef.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/202201/f8ac96ec09eb4f6b5c940583d8adf6ef.jpg)
Yes I'm thinking I should but the darn thing just seems so strong. There have been zero signs of age. When I go to put a trickle charge on it it shows over 80% every time. My other two bikes have brand new batteries and don't always show that. I just dislike replacing something that's working fine.
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Wait! Here's an idea.
Keep using this battery, but start a pool to see who can come closest to guessing when it will fail. Everybody chips in $5. and the winner splits the winnings with you to help pay for your trouble.
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(01-03-2022, 06:19 AM)Nachodaddy_imp Wrote: Wait! Here's an idea. Keep using this battery, but start a pool to see who can come closest to guessing when it will fail. Everybody chips in $5. and the winner splits the winnings with you to help pay for your trouble.
I like that Nacho!
Ok, you're first!
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I bought my ‘14 in October ‘16. In October ‘18, I stopped about 1/2 mile from the house to refuel. I topped it off and hit the starter button….the dreadful CLICK CLICK CLICK sound was all I heard. With a little bump start and minimal juice in the battery, it fired up. Rode it back home and went to buy a new battery at BatterysPlus.
You have to ask yourself this question:
“How far can I push 400+ pounds of dead weight before I stop and kick myself in the A _ _ because I didn’t buy a new battery?”
Put your mind at ease. They don’t give much of any warning when they finally fizzle out. Like Houtman said… buy the battery! You already got your money’s worth out of the original battery.
I also started carrying motorcycle jumper cables, which I’ve had to use on a another rider’s bike.
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As Charlie Bravo says, just get the battery drop tested, aka load tested, and it should give you a good picture on its health. The gauge or digital readouts will give an unambiguous recommendation.
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I heard that one rider always carries a 25 mile extension cord with charger...just in case
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Is that the same guy whom has an electric car ?
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(01-03-2022, 10:11 AM)Houtman_imp Wrote: Is that the same guy whom has an electric car ?
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(01-03-2022, 05:48 AM)KiowaEagle_imp Wrote: (01-03-2022, 01:23 AM)The A-man_imp Wrote: I'm on the "just get a new one bandwagon". I had a similar quandry just before last summer's "Three Amigos Ride Again" trip. I pulled the weak battery, went to Advance Auto Parts, and for about $130-$150, I bought myself peace of mind that will last for several more years. Plus, they offered Die Hard Batteries, which I've always had a great deal of confidence in.
BTW - I previously tried an very expensive L-ion battery and only got about 2 years out of that piece of crap. So, I'm hooked on "old school" wet batteries, based on cost and longevity.
Buy the battery, buy the battery, buy the....!
Yes I'm thinking I should but the darn thing just seems so strong. There have been zero signs of age. When I go to put a trickle charge on it it shows over 80% every time. My other two bikes have brand new batteries and don't always show that. I just dislike replacing something that's working fine.
As Charlie Bravo suggested, a load test would essentially demonstrate just "how strong" the battery is.
Alternatively, hook up a voltmeter across the battery and note the droop when the starter is asserted. If it drops below 10V, it is definitely time and the battery is not strong. Some argue 10.8V is the minimum it should droop. Strong batteries will droop in the 11.x voltage range.
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To be honest I do not understand why people take the risk of getting stranded somewhere because they did not on time change a part what only has a certain life span .
