Bad Luck, Good luck, Bad Luck

[0leman]

Since the smoke has laid down and temps were reasonable (70 at 0800), I geared up to go for ride (of course checked the tires and did a once over.  Then turned on gas and hit the button.  Lights for second then nothing, nawda.    Bad luck, but then Good luck it is my garage not on some lonely back road.

Figured it was the battery as it is 6 plus years old.  So pulled the cover off and jumped it.  Yeah, she fired up.  Bad luck, it is the 4th and all auto stores in town are closed.   Got this battery from a NAPA store so will go in tomorrow for new battery.

[gordonv]

Volt meter?

Charger and check out the voltage 1 hr after you charge it.

When did you last ride it? Mine doesn't last much longer then 1 (good) to 2 weeks (low) voltage, but I've the IS with an extra draw of the USB charging port.

[Savago]

It may be a good idea to get a battery tender?

I have the previous generation (discontinued) of this one:
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS2-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W6B987F/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=NOCO+Genius&qid=1625420835&s=automotive&sr=1-8

It has kept my Vstrom battery up for the last 6 years with no issues.

[0leman]

Battery is at least 6 years old, may be a year or two older.  Didn't write down the year purchased.

I did have it on a battery tender.   It has been on one from day one.  I have been sort of expecting the battery to crash as it is/was getting up there in age.  My previous battery crash on me when I stopped to get gas.  It also lasted some 6 plus years.

When I went to start it this morning, Lights come on, but when I hit the starter, a click and all went out.  Turning the key off and back on, brief lights, then dark.  Recycled the On/Off switch.  Then jumped from truck battery (of course turned off truck).  The Old lady started right up.

I rode 90 miles last Friday (not day before yesterday).  It has been, for us, really hot here plus lots of smoke.  Over 100 degrees several of the last few days.   I don't think I need to look further for problems.   I will check out to see of alternator is putting out juice when I get the new battery.

[Jess from VA]

We all know how the Valk ignition requires a certain amount of voltage to turn over and start.

Many have experienced the event of plenty of turning over, but no start.....  or no start, but when you release the button, then it fires up.

When I have a good battery, my bikes in good tune (and not freezing weather) fire up nearly instantly.  When it starts taking a second or two longer of turning over to start, I know the end of my battery is coming. 

My first nearly new Valk (3400 miles) battery lasted 9 years (on tenders 24 X 7 when not riding).  But the signs of failure (longer cranks) were there for a long time.  What I didn't realize was that running one that long becomes hard on the alternator.  So now after 5 years or so, as soon as it takes more cranking to start, I drop a new one in right away.

[John Schmidt]

I change mine out no later than 4 yrs. and usually 3 yrs., even though they're still doing the job. Over the years I've come to realize it's cheap insurance, although some feel I overdo it by changing them that often and that early. The only time I've been caught with a dead battery was when the alternator failed & was fortunate to have the bike die in the driveway. I would never push the battery to go 6 yrs. no matter how good it seemed to be working, I don't even run my car battery that long. The car has a good operating "thermometer" with the rear door...it's an SUV. If I notice it's getting a bit slow opening when the engine is off, out come that battery. I've never been a fan of battery Russian Roulette...or a fan of long distance walking. 

[idaida98]

Hey Jess totally agree about old batteries putting a strain on your alternator. I was told the same thing a few years ago by a guy that runs a shop that rebuilds alternators and starters.