Would You Replace It?

I am planning on a riding to Colorado to see some friends, a round trip of around 1500 miles. In checking the bike over I noticed it had the old R/R so I replaced that with a new one from Rick's. I have had my VFR now for 10 months and I have no idea how old the battery is. It shows no sign of weakness but we all know that a battery can croak at any moment. Should I replace it? It seems like weak or marginal batteries are responsible for lots of grief. (Buying the R/R ate into my ride money and a new battery will as well.) It is kind of a balance as to how much risk to take. Thoughts?

 

Why fix what ain't broke? You can always bump start if it does fail and most auto parts stores should have the correct battery.

 

I never think twice aboot putting a new battery in my bikes, at first warning of a problem oot with old and in with the new. Trying to bump start a bike with all your gear on gets old immediately.

 

Unless you want to break down in some place, like say Vegas.....just say'n as an example. If there is indications that your RR is failing, get it fixed now. If there are signs of it failing you would be replacing it soon anyways so why not do so before heading out on a substantial trip.

If the battery is only questionable, you could go either way. Like stated, batteries are readily available out there and you could replace when and if needed. If you do replace the battery though, I would keep the old one and put it back on when I got back. I am a bit of a cheap bugger so will try to squeeze everything I can out of such items as batteries. With the old one put back on, you could keep the new one safe and ready to go when the oldie finally does fail.

Then again, the annual cost of your battery is like about $15.00 so that exercise may not be worth the savings.

 

I would feel more confident bumping my old Norton off, with it's pointed ignition, than I would a modern bike with an electronic ignition that wants full voltage to work properly. I guess I am going to go battery shopping. if it's not too much I will replace it. It's just to easy my troubled mind.

 

Chickie and Long are really good at it. They push started mine a few times without any trouble at all.

 

Before a 1500 mile trip, I would not leave home without a spare R/R and a multimeter. I would also replace the battery, and put a VFRNess on the bike, if you have not already.

 

If peace of mind is what you are looking for, then assuming you have a multi-meter then the following may influence your decision -

To test battery: (original Yuasa type) - remove from bike and trickle charge overnight with a decent Optimate type digital charger until it is fully charged. The digital chargers won't over charge/cook the battery. So next morning ...

- End of charge volts should be 12.7-13.2V
- Connect a load to the battery (any old 21W indicator bulb should provide enough drain)
- Check voltage every 30mins or so and see how long it takes for the battery volts to drop to 12.3V
- Less than half hour = Totally dead battery - bin it!
- About one hour = Virtually dead battery - needing replacement now!
- More than one hour 30 = battery is still serviceable - but will need replacing soon
- More than two hours = Good battery.

Assuming the battery is considered good - put it back on the trickle charger and enjoy your trip. If its serviceable take a mobile phone with your breakdown company on speed dial.:biggrin:




SkiMad

 

I concur with Replacement Votes! And your Battery just may NOT be avail at an Auto Parts Store!!
I broke down once on a Saturday Afternoon,...Never Again!!!

 

Do what SkiMad says. While err'ing on the side of caution might seem wise, batteries are expensive. If it holds a good charge for 2 hours, the likelihood that it's about to crap out on you is quite small.

 

When mybattery went out due to the r/r failure the bike would not run. Happento me on the 98 i have now and on my old 86. Im no electronics wizard but im pretty sure if your battery goes out completely no amount of bump starting is going to help. If you have only had the bike for 10 months and are just getting around to putting a new r/r on i wouldput the new battery on and know its good.

 

.....a little more on the battery. Just cause your battery is dead, does not mean you can easily jump start the bike and motor on happily. I have been stuck in the Rocky Mountains before with a dead R/R. When you are in the middle of nowhere, with a dead battery you are going to wish you had have replaced it earlier, and when it starts getting dark you would almost give a finger to get out of that situation.

 

Once you replace it you will know the age of the battery and have a starting point for tracking it's age. If there is any doubt, what's an extra $70 or so for a new battery? It will seem like a bargain if it leaves you for dead.

Really, isn't the price of a battery worth the peace of mind?

 

If that battery has shown no problems, such as cranking slow after sitting a few weeks, I would roll with it. But if it were me, and I was uncomfortable with it, I would blow the budget and spend $140 and buy a lithium. It is significantly lighter and will probably last 2-3 times longer.
John

 

If you break down, say, in Vegas, give me a call and I'll help you out!!

 

Look me up Big Jim if you are in South Cal
If your bike sat for couple weeks and it start fine I said no need new battery, just go and enjoy your trip.

 

Big Jim is back and no trouble at all. The old Y2K ran flawlessly for 1698 miles, across the flat hot grass lands of West Texas, the sparse landscapes of New Mexico and up and down hills in rain and sun in the Colorado Rockies and back home again. More later when I write it up and post some of my shitty pictures. (Ya just can't get good pictures of that landscape.)

 

:hss: that was fast.....Glad you make it back uneventful :wink: