Battery Options?

[deagle]

I tried the search function, must have screwed it up.

I have a lady friend with an FJR. The battery has been completely dead twice now. She starts it every two weeks in an attached garage. She has dealer installed heated grips. Me, I've never had a problem yet, pretty much doing the same thing but maybe going a month in the Winter between start ups.

1. How long should this battery last?

2. What battery are people replacing this with? Isn't there a special Lithium battery or something in there?

She thanks you in advance for the help.

 

[SkooterG]

Battery should last a long time if properly cared for. Starting it once every two weeks is NOT properly caring for it. Using some sort of battery charger is the way to go. Word. You can get a good one for no more than $30-$40.

Of course, she also could have just gotten a bad battery from the get go. One of the few that were not built right. Or, more likely, bad maintenance has taken it toll. Those discharges are not good for a battery and will end its life pre-maturely.

No special lithium battery. You are thinking small electronics gadgets.

For replacement, I seem to recall most recommending Westco:

Info on that HERE and HERE.

Once you know the model #, I would use Google to find where to buy.

 

[radman]

There's one on EBay most every day at $49.95. Like This one

Use this unit to prevent problems down the road....

$28 Battery Insurance

 

[SkooterG]

You can buy the WestCo HERE.

Free shipping, so its actually a buck cheaper than Rad's ebay no-name POS!

:tease:

 

[radman]

Yeah, whatever.

 

[FJReady]

Bought my battery charger here: https://www.murphskits.com/hotshot.htm

$30 includes shipping.

As Radman says, cheap insurance.

Have mine wired through my Jastek outlet that I use to power my vest. Makes hook-up a snap.

 

[SkooterG]

Yeah, whatever.

Oh c'mon Rad. I am severely disappointed.

I know you can do far better than, "Yeah, whatever".

For instance, a "**** you and everybody that looks like you" would have been more appropriate.

So don't let me catch you slackin off again.

 

[zzkenoman]

I keep my bike connected with my "Battery Tender". You may not have to get a new battery, but you might want to find out if her grip warmers are directly connected to the battery and that may be draining the battery. For $30-40 it is the best investment and easy to install. It comes with its own external plug, so disconnecting and reconnecting is very easy. Does your lady friend have a computer? If so, we would be happy to help her in any way we can. Let us know how she resolves this.

 

[BrunDog]

What exactly is a "lady friend"? Is this one of those terms that is so old, its new again? :blink:

-BD

 

[yamaholic]

RAd's just being nice. Yuasa is the LEADER in MC batteries. Their charger is indeed NOT a no name brand POS, but rather the model in which others copy.

As far as starting it up over the winter...do you realize this is exactly what NOT to do??? First...it's hell on your battery. All give and no charge=dead battery.

Secondly..combustion produces water in the exhaust. You have to RIDE the bike for a few miles for the exhaust to heat up enough to cook off the water. Otherwise, you'll have standing water in the exhaust and it will rust in not time. Do you see that white smoke coming out? That's water vapor. Water+steel=rust.

Third- The cold start is where MOST of the engine wear is made. This is due to lack of oil pressure mainly, but there are other thermodynamic reasons why not to do it.

 

[quicksilver]

FYI.

I had a Batery Tender for my bike from day one.

The OE battery died 3 years to the month from delivery.

I am guessing any 2003 North of Kentucky, with an OE battery, might as well change the battery before the first Spring ride. You're on barrowed time.

The FJR does push-start fairly easily for a big bike.

I looked at a dry cell replacement, IIRC about a $70 increase for a 1.5 lb weight savings. Skip that next big mac and keep your money.

 

[SkooterG]

RAd's just being nice. Yuasa is the LEADER in MC batteries. Their charger is indeed NOT a no name brand POS, but rather the model in which others copy.

You big thilly! I know that. Heck, I even own a Yuasa charge as pictured, as well as a Batteryminder.

I was refering to the ebay auction of the actual battery that he linked to. And its probably an ok battery too, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to give back to rad what he so generously gives to others.

 

[skyway]

2.  What battery are people replacing this with?

Here's the replacement battery. Not sure if this is the same AGM as mentioned above. Bikeeffects has 'em at 10% off list for us as well. Add a battery tender for $30.00 at the same time.

Sealed AGM Battery

 

[twowheelnut]

Huh? Batteries wear out? Never had one **** the bed - EVAR! And if you wussies rode the damn bikes, you wouldn't need tenders, either!

Oh and Skooter? Forgive radman his shortness... I saw him at the chemist's buying some Midol.

 

[Bike Effects]

2.  What battery are people replacing this with?

Here's the replacement battery. Not sure if this is the same AGM as mentioned above. Bikeeffects has 'em at 10% off list for us as well. Add a battery tender for $30.00 at the same time.

Sealed AGM Battery

Free shipping on these batteries at SportbikeEffects.

 

[Bustanut joker]

As far as starting it up over the winter...do you realize this is exactly what NOT to do???    First...it's hell on your battery. All give and no charge=dead battery.
Secondly..combustion produces water in the exhaust. You  have to RIDE the bike for a few miles for the exhaust to heat up enough to cook off the water. Otherwise, you'll have standing water in the exhaust and it will rust in not time. Do you see that white smoke coming out? That's water vapor.  Water+steel=rust.

Third- The cold start is where MOST of the engine wear is made.  This is due to lack of oil pressure mainly, but there are other thermodynamic reasons why not to do it.

Hey I leave my mower batterys in the machines all winter outside under a tarp and haven't had to replace one in either machine in four years, but take one out of the new machine and tender it all winter and it only lasts two seasons, what gives?

As far as water well in the exhaust, ya have to let things warm up. I have storred several cars over the winter w/out heat, starting them once a month or so and leave 'em run for half an hour or more, no premature exhaust falures I can recall.

As far as cold starting and friction? I don't buy it, :beee: show me :bleh:

:jester:

 

[Penforhire]

Yuasa may well be the leader in bike batteries but this month's MCN magazine mentioned (again) sudden failure associated with some of their batteries (some internal connection breaks and you're instantly screwed). May be rare but it'd suck if it was mine or yours. The WestCo maintenance-free is what I've used before and will again.

 

[radman]

Yeah, whatever. We'll see how your attitude check goes after 6 weeks without a heater after 35 years of 2+ packs a day....

 

[twowheelnut]

Yeah, whatever. We'll see how your attitude check goes after 6 weeks without a heater after 35 years of 2+ packs a day....

Alright!!!! Give yerseff and 'attaboy' for me! I'm closin' in on 2 years, myself and don't miss it at all! :good: