Battery Woes
 

Hi all,

Havent really ridden the bike since autumn, short of turning it over each month over winter.

However, this weekend the bike was really struggling to turn over. I tested the battery with my voltmeter before I tried to start the bike and got a reading of 11.4 volts, so needless to say that it would not turn the engine over when I tried to start it. Only buzzed, and the headlights were very dim.

So I used the jump leads and my spare car battery and it started first time. Took a reading when the engine was running and got 14.2v which is apparently normal(ish?). Anywhere from 14.2 to 14.7v indicates that the alternator is charging the battery when the engine is running?. I shut it down after 15 minutes.

I took a reading about ten minutes later and that battery was reading 11.8v, which is way too low.

Weather hasn't been that bad, not too cold or too warm.

I think that all of this shows that the battery is destined for the big battery place in the sky. To be fair, the bike is still on its original battery(2008 model) so I`m guessing its time for a replacement:icon_redface:.

However, here`s my questions -

• Which battery is recommended amongst you all - Are there any specific brands to go for/prices to look for?

• For some reason I seem to remember somewhere seeing/being told that if i remove my battery to change over to another, my immobilizer kicks in, settings are reset etc? Is this true? I'm thinking no, as people remove batteries all the time long term over winter for trickle charging and remove to install power for GPS etc. Apologies if this is blindingly obvious but would be handy to have a clear answer. Electrics are not my strong suit, I'm more a mechanical type.

Andy

given the age of the battery, it might be on the safe side to replace it.
for now, you could recharge it by jump starting the bike and going out for a good run min 20km orso.
or just connect it to a charger and tryto safe it (for now).
this could save you some time to shop for the best price/best type of battery for the upcoming 10 years ;-)

Yuasa is a quality name many fit as it's oe from New on these.
I've replaced a few batteries on the Zs and all it resets is the trip meter and clock.

Halfords sell a YUASA YT9B-BS battery...�58 ..cheaper if you have a trade card..

Many thanks, knew you guys would have the answer, its my own laziness I've never got round to changing the battery, as the bike always seemed to fire up first time. 10 years, and long periods of sitting is maybe pushing it a `bit`however..

Looks like two for two recommendations on a Yuasa so I`ll pick up a TY9B-BS one this week, considering its only �60 or so from various sources by the looks of it.

So i simply swap it out and it shouldn't mess with the immobilizer? That was my biggest worry, considering the age of the existing battery. Didn't want suddenly stranded somewhere with a bricked bike...? Is there anything I should be looking out for or doing specifically? Its a simple battery swap but again, always handy to know any tips.

Out of curiosity, if the immobilizer does somehow trigger at any point is it an easy fix to reset? Got the red master key but wandered what the process actually is. Its always something that I've wondered about but one of those things I've never really bothered to investigate in much detail, but the whole thing has got me thinking.

Andy

Changing /replacing the battery has no negative effects on the imobiliser

Cheers Nik, much appreciated

I must have dreamt that somewhere way back! No idea where the thought came from. Good to know its a simple, safe swap.

I assume its the usual fill it with solution, reseal, fit on bike and its good to go or would you recommend a charge before hand? I`ll need to get hold of a low amp charger if its needed - any good recommendations on a decent charger that fits the bill? May as well while I'm hammering my credit card this month anyway :)

Andy

Halfords sell various chargers..it all depends on your budget. They start from �20 upwards.

I use a Gunson 5 charger..it has a normal or fast charge,never had any issues with it.

I filled mine and charged it..