Just the battery, or...?

[squeezer]

So, after a few hours of spirited riding with friends yesterday, the bike won't start. It sounds like a dying battery -- the slow turning of the starter, not fast enough to get it started.

I come back after a few hours of playing, ready to bump start it to get it home, and it fires right up.

Hmmm..., I think. Will a dying battery act that way, or am I looking at something like a starter issue? Or something else?

Help a brother out. What do you guys think?

 

[lharrell79]

It'd be best to get the volt meter out and start testing. Take a reading of the battery with the bike off, after it's been sitting for a couple of hours. It should be between 12.4 and 12.7. Then while still taking a reading, try cranking the bike. What does your voltage drop down to?

Lucas

 

[Intech]

Checking voltage is a good first step. It sounds exactly like dying battery symptoms, though.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

...Help a brother out. What do you guys think?

A voltmeter is your friend. A small digital multimeter is easy to come by and can give you much info.

A fully charged FJR battery (factory fill, AGM) reads 12.8 volts (many will read 13.0 V) -- 12.5 volts is about 50% charge.

IME, a failing FJR battery will only maintain lower voltages after sitting -- 12.8 keeps slipping downward to 12.7 to 12,6 etc.

With the FJR's propensity for electrical gremlins (especially in the multi-pin junction connectors), I'd vote for something else (like dirty connections...).

While you've got the voltmeter out -- check your charging system, too (14.5 V.).

good luck

 

[squeezer]

Thanks, all. :thumbsupsmiley:

 

[SkooterG]

Good advice from the chariswhatever. His number are spot on. Based on forum recommendations, I actually carry a small Radioshack Digital Voltmeter on my FJR. It is an extremely useful tool to have.

It could be the battery, it could be the starter. It could be a loose battery cable connection.

First thing you need to verify (with a DVM) is if the battery is good. Then I would look at the starter.