Triumphrat

Jon_jynx · 10-16-2006

I've had the beast all of two weeks tomorrow. It's been great, but it is used. Now I did't ride Thur or Friday last week, and sat morning it would barely turn over, much less start. I jumped it from the wifes car and it ran without issue. I'm thinking battery, but would like to keep it a bit warmer when the nights of PA get chilly. Any suggestions? Perhaps some type of block heater, or dipstick heater?

TallRocket · 10-16-2006

Hello Jon,

You don't mention the age or mileage on your new ride or how long the bike sat before you bought it. Mine is 05 with about 8k miles and original battery.

Try a batter charger to ensure the battery is topped off. My experience with the bike in Ambler PA was it was only slow to start after it has sat for a multiple days (6 or more). Make sure your rides are also over say 30 minutes. I found that a couple of quick rides didn't really charge the bike.

10-16-2006

Charge the battery overnight. If it still won't start, take it to dealer and have them put a new battery in it.
I rode mine all last winter. It would sit outside at my work in the teens and start right up. Turned over slower, but always started.

dougl · 10-16-2006

I've had mine over 2 winters. 3rd coming up and it has never lost its charge, even after sitting for more than a week. Buy a "Battery Tender Plus" and keep the battery on the charger all the time.

[ This message was edited by: dougl on 2006-10-16 13:16 ]

Jon_jynx · 10-16-2006

It will be two years old in Dec with 11500 miles. I rode it monday and tuesday last week then it sat until saturday through the cold nights. My rides to work are 40 min or better. It's fine once you get it up and warm. It was just after a few days of the cold shoulder she was a little mad at me. I will top it off with the charger the next time I'm not gonna ride her for a couple days. Thanks guys...

YETI · 10-16-2006

the rocket cant sit for more than a week, even if garaged??? :???:

Lee · 10-17-2006

If it sits to long and sulfates it can be used as a paper weight. My buddy just replaced his today and his bike was bought early in the year. Years ago I would take it out and put it in the basement, charging it every week. My buddy insists now they attach the charger and it recharges in small amounts but constant. Good luck but I think your going to need a new one. :hammer: :hammer: 2

dougl · 10-17-2006

My garage is probably over freezing even when it's 15-20 F outside. The battery hasn't died yet, even after sitting idle for a week.

I have a Battery Tender, but rarely connect it, even though I have the doo-dad connector hooked up to the battery with the connector accessible under the left cover (I have a Corbin seat which is a pain to take off.)

Battery Tender

They say it's great for the battery to leave the Battery Tender connected all the time. It keeps the battery from degrading.

CaptainC · 10-17-2006

Work in DC during the week.. R3 sits from Monday afternoon 'til Friday afternoon... Slow crank.. Sometimes takes two - three hits on the starter, but then fires up and all is well... All I have to do is slightly touch the starter for the rest of the weekend.. Will remove battery and keep it on slow charge during the winter and park the bike on carpets in my garage... Here in Johnstown, PA...

Mike...

SickNick · 10-18-2006

Modern batteries are good for 2 years. After that, it's a lottery. Some go for 5 or even 10, some die pretty quick.

Keep it on a battery tender if it's weak, but you're just prolonging its death agony.

Better to get a new one now and not fart about...