Battery Discharge

[captain jack]

Lithium Iron Phosphate. Not to be confused with simple Lithium Ion or Lithium Potassium. These latter two can actually offer MORE volts and to a certain extent Amps - but can also go BANG in a big way. Often used in rechargeable torches etc - but shunned on by electro-Automotive mfrs. Mid term I expect to see Graphene rise in popularity in batteries - Charge VERY fast. But Carbon is hardly known for fire retardant properties.

Thanks Chris, I didn't pick up on the PO4 bit, stupid old git I am.

 

[mully95]

What is normal life expectancy of a motorcycle battery?
I was told by a friend that its a little over a year. My battery is over 3 yrs old.
I had to jump start my motorcycle today because the battery died before it actually started. It turned over very fast at first then just died.
Im thinking I might need a new battery.
What is a good strong battery for out bikes?

 

[ricochet]

What is normal life expectancy of a motorcycle battery?
I was told by a friend that its a little over a year. My battery is over 3 yrs old.
I had to jump start my motorcycle today because the battery died before it actually started. It turned over very fast at first then just died.
Im thinking I might need a new battery.
What is a good strong battery for out bikes?

If you keep your battery charged and maintained you could get easily 3-5 years out of a motorcycle battery. The key is good maintenance and making sure there is no drain on the battery.

Keep in mind that once a battery dies or goes dead, it will always be unreliable and will never be the same. They just won't hold a charge as good anymore.

 

[mully95]

This year is the first time I've had problems. I always use a battery tender......... even it I plan on riding it the next day. Even in the summer time. I guess it has been a good one. I'm looking for a good or better battery than what came with it.

 

[ksquared]

I got 4 solid years out of my OEM battery and it was still going strong. I replaced it only because I figured it was more likely than not to fail somewhere along the way as it got older and I didn't want to be stranded.

Of course, being here in Florida, my battery doesn't face the temperature extremes that many of you do, plus the bike is garage kept 100% of the time - even at work. Additionally, I ride all year round - so there's never a need to put it on a Battery Tender or other such device. So my experience isn't typical.

 

[mully95]

Just installed a new battery with 310 cold cranking amps that I bought from ORiealys auto parts. I installed the battery and the next morning started the bike to see if it would drain to point where it wouldn't crank like the OEM Yuasa battery.
The outside air temperature was 12 degrees. The bike started without any trouble. I have even noticed that the bike's starter turns faster than it used too.
I don't know the CCA of the OEM battery but do know that this 310 CCA battery works great!

Battery part number: ETX20L

Super Start Platinum, absorbed glass matt technology, no need to add acid, ideal for ATV, and motorcycles

 

[Rick McC.]

Just installed a new battery with 310 cold cranking amps that I bought from ORiealys auto parts. I installed the battery and the next morning started the bike to see if it would drain to point where it wouldn't crank like the OEM Yuasa battery.
The outside air temperature was 12 degrees. The bike started without no trouble. I have even noticed that the bike's starter turns faster than it used too.
I don't know the CCA of the OEM battery but do know that this 310 CCA battery works great!

Battery part number: ETX20L

Super Start Platinum, absorbed glass matt technology, no need to add acid, ideal for ATV, and motorcycles

Thanks for the info.

Rick

 

[mully95]

You're welcome.

The battery is still performing better than the OEM battery. When starting the motorcycle it sounds so much healthier than it used to sound.

 

[Rick McC.]

When I bought my "new" 2012 last fall; the one in the bike wouldn't hold a charge (shop owner almost didn't make it back from filling the tank for me); so they charged a brand new battery and installed it.

I don't know what it is, but so far it's been great.

When it goes bad (or gets pretty old) I'll replace it with the O'Rielly one.

Rick

 

[ricochet]

I know it isn't obvious to people living in the warmer climates, but take it from some folks who live up north and cant' ride months of the year. The only way to keep a battery strong and healthy is to keep it on a trickle charger when your not using it. Sure your battery can last a couple of weeks with out it, but once you let your battery die, or get to the point where it can't crank the bike over, there is no way to rescue it.. no amount of charging will get it back to regular working order... it will start your bike, and you could ride a few hundreds miles, and get it to start again, but the moment you try start that bike after a short ride somewhere it will strand you.

Get a new battery, keep it maintained and it will take care of you!