Persistent Battery Drain Issue Speed Triple

[arodnyc]

I've had my used 2011 ABS Speed Triple (in warranty until may 2013) for a little over a month which has been given me start trouble after only the first two days of owning it. Some background on the bike is that previous owner only put 3K miles on it and other then battery tender cables being installed at the dealership the bike is bone stock. I drove the bike from VA to NJ about 300 miles with few pit stops and had no issues. On day two I drove the bike for about an hour, pulled into a gas station to fill up, and then bike would not start (I get a few kicks but engine won't turn over). After multiple failed clutch starts I had to get cables out and get a jump.

For the next month this same problem persists:

(1) Bike is dead when I try to turn on in the morning and has to be jumped,
(2) After an hour of riding, I can just barely get get the engine to turn over on restart
(3) If I power down again I get a few kicks and engine won't start

I've tried the following and the same problem still persists:
(i) Installed both brand new Shorai LC18 and OEM battery and bike has same drain issue (note: Shorai lasted about 1 hour and couldn't power back up at a 90% charge)
(ii) Removed tender cables in case of defective cables
(iii) Checked and tightened cables connected to battery
(iv) Checked and tightened cables connected o stator and starter
note: temperature hasn't gone below 30 degrees here and buddy has same bike as me with not start issues

Videos of issue can be seen at the following:
After 1 hour ride on OEM Battery:

You Tube

You Tube

Once hooked up to cables:

You Tube

You Tube

Same problem with Shorai Installed at 90% charge:

You Tube

You Tube

This has been the most frustrating issue I have ever dealt with which will undoubtedly leave me stranded every-time I go out. If anyone ha any suggestions or has dealt with a similar issue, PLEASE HELP!

[Ferris]

You checked your charging system?

Be wary sorting out any issue with a Shorai battery. If you run the voltage low, you will more than likely wreck the battery.

DEcosse.....

[ilovheros]

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums...d.php?t=119657 My 08 did the exact same thing. It was the battery. This overview helped me a lot, along with Decosse's charging info that is stickied.

[DEcosse]

Not sure I'm following - video #3 is with Shorai - but it starts normally, does it not?

New bikes that have had batteries sit for a while are notoriously problematic - silphated so they no longer will accept a full charge
I doubt Triumph will warrant the battery for full value at this point, especially since you are not the OP (battery would not normally be warranty item, except if perhaps exhibited from new)

The answer is most likely a new battery
I love my Shorai, but if I were in cold winter state, would probably go with a Lead-Acid AGM to be honest.

Doubtful you would have charging problem but just to be sure, measure the voltage across the battery with engine running at idle

[arodnyc]

UPDATE:

I just brought the battery into my dealership 20 mins after it wouldn't start the bike and the test showed 12v charge on the battery which should be more than sufficient to power on the bike. They are charging it on some "super" charger for 24 hours, if I have the same problem by Tuesday they going to take more aggressive measures.

[arodnyc]

Originally Posted by ilovheros

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums...d.php?t=119657 My 08 did the exact same thing. It was the battery. This overview helped me a lot, along with Decosse's charging info that is stickied.

Fantastic right up...going to try voltage test once batter comes off the 24 hours charger.

[arodnyc]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

Not sure I'm following - video #3 is with Shorai - but it starts normally, does it not?

New bikes that have had batteries sit for a while are notoriously problematic - silphated so they no longer will accept a full charge
I doubt Triumph will warrant the battery for full value at this point, especially since you are not the OP (battery would not normally be warranty item, except if perhaps exhibited from new)

The answer is most likely a new battery
I love my Shorai, but if I were in cold winter state, would probably go with a Lead-Acid AGM to be honest.

Doubtful you would have charging problem but just to be sure, measure the voltage across the battery with engine running at idle

It was hooked up to a jump battery was so dead but for some reason i took 5 jumps to finally get it going. The power down wasn't kill switch, bike just wouldnt stay on.

[DEcosse]

Originally Posted by arodnyc

... the test showed 12v charge on the battery which should be more than sufficient to power on the bike. ....

The off-load voltage is irrelevant - clearly has insufficient charge to provide current under load.

[FoothillRyder]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

The off-load voltage is irrelevant - clearly has insufficient charge to provide current under load.

Not only is it irrelevant; but two things come to mind here. 1) 12V is TOO LOW for an unloaded battery (should be at least 12.5), and 2) Voltage (as in 'V') is not a measure of power. That would 'watts', which is equal to 'volts' X 'amps', and in this case the voltage is low, and clearly the available 'amps' is also low. The battery isn't storing sufficient charge to do the job.

I agree with DEcosse' comment on the Shorai. An AGM is a much better choice if your temperatures fall below about 50F on a regular basis. Shorai won't admit that; but read between the lines on their web site.

[zelatore]

I agree, voltage should be showing slightly above 12v static. Further, even with good voltage you are not getting a measure of the current (amps) delivery and it's entirely possible to have voltage without sufficient current. I would assume a decent shop would have a load tester that would give a proper reading of the battery's actual starting capacity. They aren't expensive....I've got two in my shop (OK, we do yachts not bikes, but the point remains)

Load test that sucker.