Dead Battery

[nrifenbark]

Let my bike sit too long and the battery (OEM) is dead. Hooked up a Battery Tender and after a few hours it went from charging (red) to storage (green). Unhooked the battery tender and tried to start the bike. It turned over a few times but did not start.
I've hooked up the Battery Tender again.

Can I try to start it with the Battery Tender hooked up to the battery or is that a no no?

My battery may be done.
Not sure how to replace the battery. Tried to pull it out earlier today but the plastic enclosure around it wants to stay there. Not sure how to remove the battery to replace it -- if that is what I am going to have to do.

[Rob Hephner]

A battery like the type in the ST once deep cycled (run below 10.5 volts) will only be worth half of the values it is rated at.

I replace any motorcycle battery once deep cycled, but I would not suggest that you use any battery that has been deep cycled twice.

Your Battery Tender does not have enough current to start your bike.

I would say to replace the battery and this time use the Battery Tender all the time. ;)

[kgeisinger]

DON'T try to start it with the Battery Tender! You could seriously damage the charger.

You will need a new battery if it's not holding a charge.

Kurt

[forgitaboutut]

you could jump it off a car battery,just make sure car is not running!!!

[nrifenbark]

Thanks for the info. I may try jumping off the car battery. Looks like it's time for a new battery in any case though.

[RUC]

Tell-tail signs of a bad battery. My riding buddies would tell me the head light was not bright. About 200 miles later, DEAD battery.

[Tor]

A battery like the type in the ST once deep cycled (run below 10.5 volts) will only be worth half of the values it is rated at.

I replace any motorcycle battery once deep cycled, but I would not suggest that you use any battery that has been deep cycled twice.

Your Battery Tender does not have enough current to start your bike.

I would say to replace the battery and this time use the Battery Tender all the time. ;)

You won't hurt the tender by starting the bike with the tender connected. I do it all the time. The Battery Tender has a current limiter on its output. No matter how hard you try pulling, you wont be able to pull more current out of the tender than it is designed for. I suggest you keep the tender connected to your bike whenever you don't ride it. (summer & winter) If you have a Powerlet Socket installed on your bike, it makes it even easier to connect/disc. before you go riding. If you don't, get a powerlet socket, or even better,,,,,,,, 2 of them, and install them right below the preload adjuster on the left side. The kit comes ready made for the ST.

[Byron]

RUC,

Sounds more like the tell tail signs of a dead or dieing alternator. Battery should only be needed to start the bike after that the alternator should supply enough voltage to run everything else and charge the battery of whatever drain it has.

[snowmoer]

Not sure how to replace the battery. Tried to pull it out earlier today but the plastic enclosure around it wants to stay there. Not sure how to remove the battery to replace it -- if that is what I am going to have to do.

To remove the battery, there is a 10mm bolt on top of the battery cover that holds the cover on. I do not remember of there is one on the bottom or if it is held in place with tabs. Remove the bolt or bolts and the cover will come off. Remove the cables (neg first) and pull out the old one. CHARGE THE NEW BATTERY BEFORE YOU USE IT!! You will not charge the battery to full use from the bike. Slide in the new one, hook up the cables put the cover back on and you are good to go.

If you are not going to use the bike for more then a few days, use the tender. By doing this with my last bike, I got 8 years out of the battery. My ST just sat for 2 months on the tender and it fired right up.

[BlaSTr]

After nearly 2 weeks of no riding due to a nail in the rear tire, I tried starting the ST for the short trip to the mechanic. The bike turned over OK for a while then the battery seemed to die. I got the bike started and in days since, I've had no starting problems.

Has anyone had a similar problem over such a short time of inactivity?

All indications are that the battery and alternator work fine. Aux lights and systems work fine. The bike is an 06 and well under warranty but I'm loathe to go to the dealer with the problem "The bike won't start after sitting for 2 weeks." I know they'll want me to leave it for 2 weeks so they can test it. Is putting a load box on the battery a good way to determine the condition of the battery?

Should I consider adding a battery/float charger if I'm going to leave the ST unridden for several weeks?

Or should I quit whining and just ride?

tia

[Ron]

Quit whinning and ride. Try to hit all 11 of those hills at least once a week. How far north you gotta come to get all 11? If it was going to set for 3-4 days, I'd try to hook up the Tender. It'll be fresh and ready to go when you are.

[Mark]

How old is the battery?
The initial battery seems to go out in about 3 years.
Otherwise tender and go ride.

Mark

[CrashTestDanny]

I have deep cycled my ST battery (unintentionally) four times now. The last time, the Battery Tender wouldn't even register that it was connected (no lights when plugged in). I jump-started the bike with the car (which was running) and then hooked up the Battery Tender, which lit up and showed charging for several hours before switching to maintenance mode. That was around December. As you can see, my mileage definitely varied - yours may also. However, I would try leaving it on the Battery Tender overnight and see if that doesn't help. Make sure you carry those jumper cables with the SAE connector on one end though.