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When Will My Motorcycle Battery Die?

2K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  T Dad 
#1 ·


It depends where the bike lives: Hot and cold climates are both harder on batteries than temperate climes, and bikes that get ridden regularly are easier on batteries than ones that sit for months – though a good battery tender with a float feature negates much of that. In fact, I was bragging about the Shorai lithium-iron battery in my bike not long ago, which must be seven years old now and has never seen a charger, when my friend Jim said big deal, the original equipment sealed AGM battery in his VFR lasted 9.5 years, and his 21-year old Ducati is only on its second battery. So, sealed batteries can last a long time especially if you’re OCD about maintenance.

According to several sources including BatteryStuff.com, though, your 12.3-volt reading means your battery may be on its way to Nirvana; a fully charged one should read 12.7 volts or above. Since you like to play with your voltmeter, there are instructions to “stress test” your battery at the same page, along with a lot of other battery tidbits that will let you know for certain if it’s time to replace.

Send your moto questions to AskMOAnything@motorcycle.com. If we don’t know the answer, we know who does, and if they don’t know we’ll make up something reasonable-sounding. What do you want for free?
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#2 ·
My first battery lasted like 9 years. The second one died after only 2 years, on the third one now. I have found those Yuasa about the best for longevity. You can go on e bay and find those Yuasa's for a good price with free shipping.

Don't bother with the Battery Plus Bulb stuff, there stuff not as good as the stock battery for this bike. Go Yuasa and they last.
 
#4 ·
I bought my bike used but have all the maintenance records and receipts since new. The PO only got a year out of the original battery. I'm guessing it was a Yuasa? Anyway, whatever Triumph put in there. He replaced it with a Yuasa. That one lasted 5 years and just tanked this spring. I've been diligent about keeping it on a tender, but it wouldn't hold a charge. When I took it out, I saw that it was also starting to ooze just a little bit of acid out of a seam in the plastic.

I replaced it with a high dollar Shorei lithium battery which is crazy light and will supposedly sit for a year without needing a battery tender etc. Time will tell.
 
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