Spare battery

[Sam Shlitz]

I am thinking to place a larger spare battery in one of the saddlebags. It will not be permanently connected to the bike battery. I am looking for some advice regarding a quick connector in case the bike battery gets too weak to start the bike, which has been happening once in while. Any ideas?

[R J]

If it is already happening, just go ahead and replace your battery if you think that is the problem.

Remember, if ya place that extra battery in the saddlebag, you stand a chance of acid spilling over out of the cover.

Goodbye anything you have in there.

[whitestroke]

Just replace the Battery as RJ said. Nobody carries a spare battery.

[sandy]

For about $11 you can buy motorcycle jumper cables. I've had to use mine to help other people.

[Cotton Mouth]

Happens every once in a while?  Does bike sit for extended times without a Battery Tender? I would get a tender and one of these Battery Bugs, no guessing on battery condition.  I have both items, plus small jumper cables.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Argus-BB-SBM12-PS-Battery-Bug-Motorcycle-Battery-Monitor-MDS-SBM12P-1-/281101662811?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item4172f6fa5b&vxp=mtr

[F6Dave]

I'd just replace it and be done like others have said.  The cost of a battery isn't too bad and it is nice to ride without the worry.

Has anyone tried a Shorai Lithium battery?  It seems like they'd be great for a bike that sits a lot.  They are very pricey, though.

[Michvalk]

If you worry about starting your bike, you can get one of the portable jumpstart batteries. They have the cables built in, and you can recharge with house power, and they are available in smaller sizes to fit in the saddlebag. And they work great to start other stuff, like lawnmowers and such. Most of the new ones have an outlet you can use to charge cell phones and such

[Sam Shlitz]

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions. I don't think my battery needs to be replaced yet.
When fully charged it delivers plenty of power. It gets weak because I am constantly using driving lights and radio. Besides, I don't do long trips. I am riding my bike to work and back. I guess not enough to recharge the battery after using to crank the engine. The best solution would be to use the battery tender after each trip. And the battery monitor is a great idea as well. Thanks again! Ride safe.

[gordonv]

Test your charging of the battery. Verify that the alt is working correctly. If the battery is not charging fully while you are ridding it, then you should place it on a trickle charger when parked.

I would look into the replacement battery of one of those Lithium batteries, but get one with more Amp Hours, this why you have more reserve for your high usage of electrical power demand.

(example: if our battery is 20 AmpHrs, and yours is drained down to 75% = 15 AmpHrs. Get a 30 AmpHr battery, run it down to 75% = 22.5 AmpHrs)

[Hoser]

Sam, it sounds like a alternator issue to me. Fully charged battery should read 12 to 13 volts.  If you start the bike and idle it should remain on or near that number.  At 2000 rpm with every thing on it should maintain 12 or more volts.  Unless you have some monster driving lights installed.    Hoser

[dan7uk]

Just for your info, the light does go off when you shut the refrigerator door.

[Brian]

I too use my bike back and forth to work, 10 miles each way.  I plug in the battery tender when ever the bike sits for more than a day not running. The Battery Bug on the bike shows 14.2 volts with the driving lights "ON", I have also compared this to a digital volt meter. If you are worried about your battery you can purchase a new one that is dry. When the time comes to activate it, all you do is follow the directions to add the electrolyte and charge it. I bought my spare YUASA from Amazon.com, $65 and free shipping. I installed it this past spring, no problem after sitting in my garage for about year not activated. The battery bug let me know when I was at 16% on a 7 year old battery. The old battery is now starting my lawn tractor every time. So far I am happy with the YUASA batteries and the battery bug.

I would not carry a spare battery. Carry the jumper cables as mentioned or just change the battery for peace of mind.

[valkyriemc]

Its giving you the signal. Take the warning. Testing the batt and alternator is good. I nursed my battery a few years ago, with negative results. I travel 36 miles one way to work. The bike started fine, got gas, re-started fine, off to work I go.  Stopped at the card access gate at work, and bike shuts down and wont re-start. Nothing. Gate arm is up and I've got people lined up in back of me wanting to get through.  So I ended up pushing it about 100 yards up a slight incline to our radio shop. Hot, sweating and pissed off. All unnecessary.

[Chrisj CMA]

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions. I don't think my battery needs to be replaced yet.
When fully charged it delivers plenty of power. It gets weak because I am constantly using driving lights and radio. Besides, I don't do long trips. I am riding my bike to work and back. I guess not enough to recharge the battery after using to crank the engine. The best solution would be to use the battery tender after each trip. And the battery monitor is a great idea as well. Thanks again! Ride safe.

Suit yourself, but those lights and junk should not cause a weak battery condition.  You seem to describe the effort of starting the bike as a big deal for your battery........that alone=replace now, the fact you are considering carrying a spare battery=replace the bike battery now.  Some will argue, but limping a wimpy battery along is extra wear and tear on the alternator and you will be left stranded sometime soon.