If the bike isn't charging correctly, how many miles?

[mrlmd1]

The batteries are sealed I believe for safety, to avoid an acid spill if tipped over or in an accident. Only one of the reasons, the other is new technology.

What you said about the charging system is probably true, What I meant, was to hook a voltage meter to the battery terminals, measure the voltage, (it should be at least 12.8V), start the bike, you will see a voltage drop to maybe 10-11V on the meter as the starter turns over, then if you run the bike right then and there, there should be a 14V output to recharge up what was just used up, If you were out riding for a 1/2 hour, it would probably be reading less, like a trickle charge, just replacing that which is needed to keep the bike running.

[thepaintbox]

Yeah...I'm going to get the bike on a voltmeter. The leads are good and everything. I'm not too worried as of right now, but annoyed.

I mean, the bike is still running.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

The batteries are sealed I believe for safety,

(it should be at least 12.8V),

OK, maybe all the bike batteries are "sealed" now but that doesn't mean that they are AGM.
All AGM batteries are sealed but the reverse is NOT true.

And a "standard" 12V. wet cell battery (lead acid) is 12.6V nominal; 2.1V X 6 cells.

If you start adding in things like calcium, I think the float voltage is even a bit less.......but those exotic formulations probably aren't common in bike batteries. :cool:

[mrlmd1]

I just looked at Yuasa's battery site - ALL their motorcycle batteries, from the little Suzuki 250cc's up to the big bikes are sealed AGM batteries. Practically all of Exide's motorcycle batteries are AGM. I haven't checked on any other manufacturers, but I would bet they're all the same.
2.1V is the minimum for a wet cell charged 12V battery, some measure higher. I checked.
It's not worth arguing over 0.2V.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

but I would bet they're all the same.

It's not worth arguing over 0.2V.

Don't sell WallyWorld short. My guess is they still have a cheap Chinese rip-off for half the price.
Been too quiet here lately; might as well argue about .2V as anything else!!! :roll: :crackup

[Water Warrior 2]

thepaintbox, this will apply to the initial start of the day. Always start the bike in neutral. If it is in gear there will be some drag in the clutch plates which will add extra load to the starter. The engine will not turn over quite as fast and make starting a little hit and miss. Less load on the starter means better power for the ignition system to fire. If you are already starting in neutral just disregard my ramblings.

[mrlmd1]

ER said - "Been too quiet here lately; might as well argue about .2V as anything else!!! ":roll: :crackup
Before, I had said - "It's not worth arguing over 0.2V."
But .3V, that's a different story. :poke2: :neener:

[thepaintbox]

yeah...i'm starting in neutral. i'm one of those kids that was MSFed into all the good habits.

well, this morning she didn't start. i'm going to charge the battery as soon as i can find someone that has a charger (kid two doors down has two 1200evo harleys and a gsxr, so i'm thinking him) and call my mechanic to see what he says.

while she didn't start, she put up a good effort. i tried to bump start her, but it didn't take. i've never been able to get that going.

Run position, 2nd gear, stand up
down hill a bit of speed
drop the clutch and...

i'm rolling downhill with the clutch out.

on another note, is the neutral light meant to go out when she is starting?

[alantf]

Originally Posted by thepaintbox

is the neutral light meant to go out when she is starting?

Nope! It might dim, ever so slightly, but it shouldn't go out. This is just another pointer to "bad battery"

[alanmcorcoran]

You can start it with jumper cables and your car battery if you need to take it somewhere to get it charged up. Jump it just like a car. Be careful not to stick your face into the business parts when you are connecting the jumper cables - it's possible for Bad Things to happen if you have a defective battery.

Make sure you have the kill switch set to "on" and the key in the right position when you are push starting it. If second doesn't work, try third (and first! I had the best luck in first, although others swear by second.) I even started my Strat up once with the clutch when I stalled it just before heading downhill.