BATTERY

[Fishbein]

Rocket III Touring: was going to ride this weekend, but wasn't able to find the time. I've been riding almost everyday to work, but it's a short ride. The weather's turned a bit chilly, but I think the lowest it's been getting is the low 40's. Went to ride my bike in to work today, turned over a few times, and battery was dying now dead. Hooked it up to my battery tender, which I think will solve the problem, but should I really be having this problem at only temps in the low 40's over night? Fish :x

 

[Bishop]

Do you have driving lights or any other accessories installed that draw power?

 

[tdragger]

When it gets cold, this ritual helps (at least for me):

Put in Neutral (big help!)
Key on and wait for sweep.
Hit starter for 3-4 turns. (this breaks up surface tension of oil remaining in crankcase)
Hit starter again for max 5 turns. (should fire on this step)
Repeat with short hits on starter.

 

[Fishbein]

Do you have driving lights or any other accessories installed that draw power?

Yeah, extra lights on front, but I turn them off to start.

 

[Fishbein]

When it gets cold, this ritual helps (at least for me):

Put in Neutral (big help!)
Key on and wait for sweep.
Hit starter for 3-4 turns. (this breaks up surface tension of oil remaining in crankcase)
Hit starter again for max 5 turns. (should fire on this step)
Repeat with short hits on starter.

Ok, I'll try it, I assume each hit is really quick?

 

[Fishbein]

If your bike is left outside then you will have trouble starting it when it gets down to the 30's. The battery is cold, the engine is cold, and the oil is cold. The battery tender will help. The biggest help is the PC625 battery. A nice, warm, well charged battery with jumper cables also helps.

The RIII battery is very small for the size of the engine. How many car batteries do you know that are so small?

I have often thought that if you fit triple filters then you could re-arrange and fabricate a much larger battery compartment using the newly freed up space. A bigger battery would then solve the problem forever.

Ok, I gotta get that battery then, yeah, seems like they always use a small battery....who makes that PC625, I'll look for it?

 

[Fishbein]

Alarms are the worst culprits for killing ya battery.The R3 starter is designed not to need massive amperage,compared to my Guzzi the battery is smaller the starter is half the size.Cars have massive batteries cause of all the other electrical crap on them.
If you got alarms ,clocks,heated grips and spots you got to trickle it .

NO alarm, just a lock, no power drawn, but extra lights on front...was thinking of getting heated grips, but that makes me re-think that one! I expected it in the low 30's not low 40's...

 

[Fishbein]

The PC625 is a slightly larger battery. It will need some "help" to situate it properly.

It is taller than the standard battery so if you still have an under-seat air filter the air plumbing attached to the bottom of the seat will get in the way. The solution is to get triple filters, remove the plumbing attached to the seat, and firmly push the battery down into the base.

That works on the RIII, the R3T may be different.

PC625

Sounds a little messy, yeah air filter's in the original position. I'll look into it.

 

[Watsonian]

Fishbein

I was able to put the PC625 in my bike with little modification. Basically just had to bend the bottom of the battery holder out a bit so the battery would slide in all the way. Really not too difficult and makes a ton of difference in cranking power.

 

[xhdskip]

Fish,
The PC625 is made by ODYSSEY.
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc625.htm
Worth the money.
Like the horn.
just my 2 cents again.