Dead battery

[Robert]

I did not realize that the batteries in our bikes were a glass mat variety. Well that would explain what happened when my bike would not start from work. I knew something was wrong but was to lazy to check it out. The bike would crank but a bit slower and that first revolution when you hit the start button would have a longer pause before it would crank. This was going on for about 6 months, well last night I wanted to go home from work got everything closed up and they were waiting to shut the gate and tap the starter then totally dead. I mean no lights, no nothing like someone had disconnected the battery. Check the voltage and it was about 5 volts,  . New battery and she fires right up.

I posted this so if you begin to hear the signs like me please check your battery. If I had been on the road it would have been a PIA. Glass mat batteries behave differently than regular liquid filled ones. They die at unexpected times and charging is best done at a little higher amperage than a filled battery.

[Frank4]

This is a peripheral question regarding our batteries.  Were you able to remove the battery with only the side cover removed?  Or did you have to remove more of the plastic to get it out?

Thanks.

Frank

[JimC]

This is a peripheral question regarding our batteries.  Were you able to remove the battery with only the side cover removed?  Or did you have to remove more of the plastic to get it out?

Thanks.

Frank

You remove the battery by taking the seat off and lifting it straight up.
Jim

[Robert]

Actually the battery slides out nicely without the seat being taken off. At first it didnt look like it would, but it slides up and over the tray lip and just fits under the seat and I have a Corbin seat which is a bit lower on the sides. The positive terminal is the only problem in the whole mess as its a bit of a pain to get to and to start the bolt to hold on the battery terminal is little bit of a pain. Other than that really no problem and I did not want to take the seat off. I dont know why its not hard but its just another thing to do.  

Technically you are supposed to also take off the seat for the side covers to come off on my setup. But I learned how to just maneuver them out.

[enroute1]

I did not realize that the batteries in our bikes were a glass mat variety. Well that would explain what happened when my bike would not start from work. I knew something was wrong but was to lazy to check it out. The bike would crank but a bit slower and that first revolution when you hit the start button would have a longer pause before it would crank. This was going on for about 6 months, well last night I wanted to go home from work got everything closed up and they were waiting to shut the gate and tap the starter then totally dead. I mean no lights, no nothing like someone had disconnected the battery. Check the voltage and it was about 5 volts,  . New battery and she fires right up.

I posted this so if you begin to hear the signs like me please check your battery. If I had been on the road it would have been a PIA. Glass mat batteries behave differently than regular liquid filled ones. They die at unexpected times and charging is best done at a little higher amperage than a filled battery.

Thanks for the post.  These oem battery's seem to be holding up pretty well.
How many months and miles did you get out of yours?

[ledany]

Mine is september 2014, 77,000 mls/125 000 km, I ride almost everyday and the battery is still OK. 

[Safety Steve]

When I got my 2014 I went in on a Thurday and paid for it and signed all the paper work and told the dealer that I would be back on Saturday to pick it up, I got there on Saturday and they went to bring it over to me and the battery was dead they tried to recharge it but no good, they ended up putting a new battery in it and the dealership had problems putting it in, I'm glad to hear that it is not that hard to do, the bike sat for 4 years so I was not surprised that the battery was dead the thing I was pissed about is that they had a whole day to check the bike out before I got there.   now the 1st gen is a piece of cake to change the battery.   

[Robert]

I did not realize that the batteries in our bikes were a glass mat variety. Well that would explain what happened when my bike would not start from work. I knew something was wrong but was to lazy to check it out. The bike would crank but a bit slower and that first revolution when you hit the start button would have a longer pause before it would crank. This was going on for about 6 months, well last night I wanted to go home from work got everything closed up and they were waiting to shut the gate and tap the starter then totally dead. I mean no lights, no nothing like someone had disconnected the battery. Check the voltage and it was about 5 volts,  . New battery and she fires right up.

I posted this so if you begin to hear the signs like me please check your battery. If I had been on the road it would have been a PIA. Glass mat batteries behave differently than regular liquid filled ones. They die at unexpected times and charging is best done at a little higher amperage than a filled battery.

Thanks for the post.  These oem battery's seem to be holding up pretty well.
How many months and miles did you get out of yours?

I bought the bike,   ???   actually had to look when 06/15 so that was 4 years and 37k miles. Not bad for a bike battery. Our alternators are the same as the wing and can charge at 100 amps give or take a few amps. That kind of amperage is way over what our bikes would ever need.


Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

[enroute1]

Thanks Robert.
Got 11K on my 2014 purchased in July of 2017..
So I'm thinking I might be good for at least another season....maybe.

[Tundra]

Old post, just sharing. My battery was dead as a door nail this morning (2014). I was rolling out for a nice cool ride with low humidity. Better to die in the garage than on the side of the road.

Wow, after a little research the OEM Honda battery is just shy of $200.00 shipped to my door. I've always used OEM since a boy and always received 7-9 years of life.
  I am taking a different route this time with a comparable Duracell battery meeting or exceeding all OEM specs from Batteries Plus, 2 miles down the road, in stock, I will be back in business today for $129.00 out the door with my core. I always use a battery tender and this bike has a nice alternator, just can't see paying $200 bucks for a battery.

[Farther]

What kind of warranty did the battery come with? 

My only choice at the time was Costco, Walmart being out.  One of the benefits of living in a rural area I guess.

[Jack B]

I thought the battery for the 1800 Valkyire was the same as the Goldwing?
I'm going to be buying a battery for my F6B and a Yuasa is $140-150.

[Tundra]

  It is possible to change the battery by simply removing the left side cover. I was fussing a bit and about to remove the seat when I found the sweet spot and it slid right out. Need to lift the forward facing end over the tray lip, tilting the battery towards you and a slight wiggle. Thank you Robert If you have sausage fingers you may need to remove the seat, the positive connection is tight on space although anyone that knows which end of a wrench to hold can do this. I needed to repair my ground wire as the dealership had the battery out to charge it before I purchased it. They did not properly route it in the stays and it chafed through the insulation. Also re-routed my battery tender as not to chafe on my side cover, relocated down on the low side of the cover. The pictures do not show how tight is is to install/remove this way, although easily done.







When I tested the battery it was only 50% charged??? So I put it on the tender and re-programmed my start up/good bye message.







  Jack, the price on the OEM was from an internet Honda parts dealer with $26.00 shipping and sales tax included in that price. I was hasty and wanted it done today. I see after more research availablity for less than half that price on Amazon and others  

  Farther, It has a (2) year warranty, full replacement. Not pro-rated. After two years your on your own.

[Farther]

I did not realize that the batteries in our bikes were a glass mat variety.

If not an AGM, what type did you think the battery was?