Installing new battery.

[steel23]

...Just yesterday, I could not even crank it up though I last rode it last Saturday. Does it mean that my battery is gone?

The procedure is to remove and test the battery (step #1 is already done -- you know it's dead...). Properly charge the battery and check that it achieved the correct, full-charge, voltage. Then let it sit for hours, un-hooked, to check that it holds that voltage. Then install it and check for any current draw when just connecting the final, ground, cable to the negative terminal. And finally, check battery voltage while operating the starter (with a fully chatged battery) -- if voltage falls too low when cranking, the battery fails.

What is the average shelf life our battery if it's seldom ridden? ...should I change or should I trust the shelf life of this battery?

The shelf life of 'new style' AGM, maintenance-free, factory-fill batteries (as originally fitted in the FJR) is quite long (months).

If you don't ensure that your battery is, in fact, faulty -- replacing it with another one may just mean you'll have another dead battery later.

You need to know what caused your battery to be dis-charged (bad battery or unknown current draw?).

Thanks indeed for the detailed explanation of possible built up. I have charged it up and put it on test. It's clearly shown that the battery just would not hold up the voltage anymore. In any case, I have also experience the average shelf life, on my previous rides, to be around 2 years. Was quite amazed that some of the forumers here can actually used them for more than 4 years and hence my query. Thought there is something special with Gel type battery. <_<

Good advice.
Where I live, the bike will sit for 5-6 months. I have never had a problem in the spring even if I only topped off the charge a couple of times in that time period. If you are losing it all in a week or a month, either your battery is toast or something is drawing too much juice at rest. In the winter, I just keep the trusty Battery Tender percolating and switch it occasionally between the wife's ST1300 and my Feej (off-season). My battery is over 4 years-old and still cranks like new. I imagine my time will come due though.

mr.paul from Minnesota

I agree totally with what both charismaticmegafauna and yourself meant. After much testing. Indeed there is something drawing out juices from my battery. Back here in Singapore, we have a In-vehicle Unit (IU). It's used for public road charges. And this new generation of IU is drawing power even when ignition is off. Very much unlike the previous IU which is very bulky in comparison. Anyway, thank you guys for your feedback. It just convince me better to just change the battery. Think it would also be a good idea to connect my IU to a switch.

 

[YooperDick]

Remember to put a ribbon around the battery before you re-install. Makes it a lot easier to remove it the next time you have to take it out. (Perhaps this could be said for a number of things.)

I've found black ribbon works well but other colors may prove adequate

 

[steel23]

Remember to put a ribbon around the battery before you re-install. Makes it a lot easier to remove it the next time you have to take it out. (Perhaps this could be said for a number of things.)
I've found black ribbon works well but other colors may prove adequate

I certainly hope I can squeeze out a longer period from this new battery.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Steel,

If you want LONG Life with your battery, Keep it on a Bettery Tender when not in use. Before I learned about this, I was going through a battery Once a year on my previous bike.

Now they last 3-6 years.

 

[steel23]

Steel,If you want LONG Life with your battery, Keep it on a Bettery Tender when not in use. Before I learned about this, I was going through a battery Once a year on my previous bike.

Now they last 3-6 years.

Wow, sounds good. Yeah, I am beginning to look around for a Battery Tender. Right here back in Singapore, we only have those standard type of charger. <_<

 

[gainsi]

@ Steel, I have a 2001 Australian spec FJR and have just changed the battery after ......... 8 years !! I don't ride every day but have used a battery tender intermittently to charge the battery. After talking to the local Yuasa distributor, I have upgraded my tender to a CTEK 4003 which charges motorcycle batteries at 0.8v rather than the 0.6v of my previous unit which was having trouble with my old battery. CTEK also make a 'traffic light' monitor which goes onto the battery terminals & can be routed over the top of the battery & out of the body work near the top of the triple tree - it flashes green (OK), amber (battery requires a charge), or red (charge battery immediately !) and the tender plugs into it, so you don't have to constantly remove panels C and D.

The Yuasa OEM batteries are expensive here in Australia, but if looked after will last a long time. HTH.