Battery problems, can I save my battery?

[Aaron-71]

So my bike was brought back from storage early, and it snowed for the
next three days (ugh.... stupid...).

So then my battery was pretty much dead all this week, and with the nice weather out, it was killing me. Got a boost from hooking up the terminals on my car directly to my motorcycle battery (without the car being started, so I could just pull enough juice).... sure enough it started....

Since that time, my motorcycle cannot start on its own, even though the last time I started it, it ran for almost a full hour (me driving it around).

Now it seems the battery is just as dead as it was before and cannot start on its own under any conditions. Is my battery 100% toast, or can I save it?

Also, what kind of batteries should I be looking at for a new one if I do have to get one?

[KatanaGSX92]

Sometimes you can bring a battery back to life by de-sulfating it. It really depends on what kind of battery you have and what kind of charger. Lead Acid and Sealed Lead Acid batteries are the easiest to de-sulfate. AGM batteries are another matter.

Here's an article that may help you: http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/artic...n-go-away.html

[Kreylyn]

Got fluid in it?

Krey

[scottynoface]

Got fluid in it?

Krey

Ditto.

[Aaron-71]

Looks like I can't add water to it, and it looks like this isn't what I expected to see for a battery in my bike (a cheap Canadian Tire/Walmart/Target battery)

Notice the chewed up terminals on the top as well as a bit grease of some sort on the top... possibly acid?


The information on the top of the battery says to never add water...


What kind of battery it is (cheap here in Canada). Also, note the terminals at the top again. Looks like someone's been hacking at it or has had to boost it before with some seriously heavy-duty alligator clips.

So it looks like I just might need a whole new battery all together. De-sulfating it would be a stab in the dark, but I think I might just go with a new one for $80. No telling how old or junkie this battery is and why it's from an el-cheapo store like Canadian Tire.

I tried to turn the bike over just before I took the batt out again and it just clicked rapidly like a very fast-sounding wrist watch tick.

What does everyone else think?

[MikeyZ]

Buy a new one. Not worth the hassle.

Also whenever I have my bike sitting for more than a couple days I be sure to plug the tender in.

[Wild-Bill]

Yup, time to replace that one. Looks like it comes from the same factory as the Wal-Mart Never-Starts. Only good thing about them is that they usually don't even last through the warranty period so you get two batteries for the price of one plus some hassle. Might as well go for a good one.

[Aaron-71]

Buy a new one. Not worth the hassle.

Also whenever I have my bike sitting for more than a couple days I be sure to plug the tender in.

Tender? I don't think I have whatever that is. I'm assuming that it's some sort of charger, but I've never heard of it.

Yup, time to replace that one. Looks like it comes from the same factory as the Wal-Mart Never-Starts. Only good thing about them is that they usually don't even last through the warranty period so you get two batteries for the price of one plus some hassle. Might as well go for a good one.

Precisely. I'm thinking on going for one of these this time ($80 + tax):

Yuasa Battery
Maintenance Free VRLA - often called a "sealed" battery
serial # for a 600 05 KAT: YTX9-BS


Not sure what kind of warranty it comes with, but I may shop around some more. If anyone has any suggestions as what kind of battery to go with or a store they love (in Canada), let me know.

[Wild-Bill]

Yuasa has always done really well by me.

[scottynoface]

Looks like it comes from the same factory as the Wal-Mart Never-Starts. Only good thing about them is that they usually don't even last through the warranty period so you get two batteries for the price of one plus some hassle. Might as well go for a good one.

Truer words were never spoken, I cant understand why people waste their time with the cheap batteries.

Which is why I agree with this

Yuasa has always done really well by me.

Thinking about getting a Shorai this season just to try.

[GSXFJim]

...Thinking about getting a Shorai this season just to try.

Someone say battery?

Excellent choice....

[scottynoface]

Someone say battery?

Excellent choice....

My Yuasa's getting a little long in the tooth (9 untendered years) so its getting finicky, especially since I barely ride anymore.

[GSXFJim]

Let me know when your ready...

[scottynoface]

Let me know when your ready to hand over your monies...

Will do

[GSXFJim]