96 trident sprint battery not holdin charge?

[exjay9]

Hi, I have a 1996 trident sprint. I hadn`t used it for a while & the battery was flat when I went to start it (its a new battery about 5months old). I jump started the bike & rode it about 15 miles & it was ok for the next few days. until i used the lights. I rode about 10 miles with the lights on, left it for about an hour & the battery was completely flat when i went to start it. I managed to bump start it and then charged the battery over night. Today Ive just done the same journey, about 10 miles with the lights on, left it for about 90mins & the battery was flat again. bumped it again & ive just put a meter on it.
No lights about 14.5 volts at about 2000 rpm
lights on, about 13.5 volts at about 2000 rpm
this seems about right to me. Could anyone shed some light please??

[Wombat]

Sounds to me like the battery is knackered, but the charging system seems to be doing what it is supposed to do.

Sitting around idle will kill a battery, even a new one.

My advise would be to get a new battery and use a battery tender when the bike is not being used for any extended period.

[exjay9]

Thanks for that, I think your right. I charged it up again & it had 13.5 volts, left it overnight (not even on the bike) & by the morning it was down to 10.5v!! I`ll take it back to the shop tomorrow.....

[cafetbird]

Add water, if you can....