Fool me once...

[max]

Gone i would measure the system voltage, go for a ride and leave the engine running whilst measuring the voltage with 2000 rpm.
Did this on all my bikes and the cb1100 was exactly at 13.8 volt which is perfect, more than 14 volts charges faster but shortens the lifespan especially on long trips.

You also mentioned yours is mounted under the tank, is that not a hot place? batteries don't last long over 25 deg C.

At least you proved it was the battery and got the most out of it.

[Gone in 60]

Thanks guys. Believe me, I checked out the Bonnie's charging system weeks ago when the battery started showing signs of going downhill. Just not holding a charge. It's not the first Yuasa I've had over the years that didn't last as long as I'd expect, but when you expect to get more out of it, it's just hard to admit that you've lost the fight.

Thanks, Max, but it's my CB300R's battery that's under the tank, which is why I've been lazy about getting around to putting a charging cable on it. I saved a YouTube video someone put up of the various screws and clips that have to come off just to get to the actual tank, which then has to be lifted to access the battery. A job I'd like to do as infrequently as possible!

[GoldOxide_imp]

Thanks guys. Believe me, I checked out the Bonnie's charging system weeks ago when the battery started showing signs of going downhill. Just not holding a charge. It's not the first Yuasa I've had over the years that didn't last as long as I'd expect, but when you expect to get more out of it, it's just hard to admit that you've lost the fight.

Thanks, Max, but it's my CB300R's battery that's under the tank, which is why I've been lazy about getting around to putting a charging cable on it. I saved a YouTube video someone put up of the various screws and clips that have to come off just to get to the actual tank, which then has to be lifted to access the battery. A job I'd like to do as infrequently as possible!

You know what to do Gin60 - while under there add a fused SAE lead to the battery and bring it out to under the saddle or something like that. Then just plug in a SAE-cabled charger at will.

[Gone in 60]

Thanks, GO. I should have specified, but that’s what I meant by a charging cable. I have an SAE tucked in somewhere on all of my bikes. My car too, since it doesn’t get driven too often.

[redbirds_imp]

I replaced the stock Yuasa in my CB1100 with an equivalent Parts Unlimited battery. Half the price of a Yuasa and lasted three years, still working strong when I sold the CB.

[Gone in 60]

You know what's funny... why do I buy Yuasa batteries? Because just about every bike I've ever bought had one as OEM, and it lasted a good long time before I had to replace it. And, everyone generally agrees that they are of good quality.

For work, I help maintain a fleet of Kymco and Honda scooters that we carry around the country to use at our events. They live in a trailer all year, are never put on a tender, and are ignored for weeks or months at a time during the off-season. We remember to run the gas out of the carbs at the end of the season, but that's about it. And the batteries seem to hold up very well.

What brand of batteries do we use in the scooters? Whatever brand is readily available in whatever town we are in when one of them dies. It's typically purchased at a battery store, a Walmart or a tire store. I don't even know what brands they are when I put them in. But they last just as long as anything.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hey Gin60: Would be possible that scooters have "less load demand" on their batteries, and hence maybe last a bit longer? Does that make any sense? I realize scooter batteries are a bit smaller compared to the CB1100 pile.

[Gone in 60]

Could be, G.O. These scooters are pretty much stripped down so they can easily be stored in a trailer, and they aren't taken on the road. No signals, most of the lights are either removed or burned out long ago... Nothing needs to run but the engine.