battery went flat but manged to bump start

[Desmonddd]

hi guys , riding fz150i

recently went overseas for 3 weeks come back bike cannot start but manged to bump start

battery seems normal after riding rounds around my neighbourhood and can start normally

should i go to bike shop to check if the battery is ok ? or continue normal riding and the battery will charge back ?

[chriszzz]

Just ride around for 20-30 mins to charge the battery. No need to bring to shop.

 

 

hi guys , riding fz150i

recently went overseas for 3 weeks come back bike cannot start but manged to bump start

battery seems normal after riding rounds around my neighbourhood and can start normally

should i go to bike shop to check if the battery is ok ? or continue normal riding and the battery will charge back ?

[Desmonddd]

Ok ! Thanks 😁😁

[kaiq]

To be double sure, take out the battery and charge it at home with a portable charger, or wait for a charging session at limbat to charge for free.

[lkm]

If it's not a "maintenance-free" battery, check the battery fluid level and top up as necessary.

 

If it's a "maintenance-free" battery, check for buldging or leakages - especially around the terminals.

 

Generally, if you manage to charge it back up by riding around, your battery should be fairly alright.

[euphonium07]

happen to me once, i bump start, then ride to shop to change the battery just to be safe

[bikerpotato]

get a voltmeter and monitor

[chriszzz]

get a voltmeter and monitor

 

Voltmeter is useful if you ride regularly, or at least once every 2-3 weeks. But in this case, it won't help because TS went away for 3 weeks and came back to a flat battery.

 

Same thing happened to me before too. Battery was fully charged when I left for a vacation, and 3 weeks later it was flat when I returned.

[sjyong]

Just sharing, when i went overseas 2 week last year june, i came back with my battery dead too. Got sent to mechanic to (not bump start but...) change the whole battery.

 

Mechanic told me it was the IU that was eating up the battery, because my IU was connected directly to the battery, so he re-routed my IU such that it will only turn on when my key is in ignition.

 

BUT that day my IU spoil, send to VICOM the VICOM mechanic scold me say like that on off on off the IU will spoil (really confused dk who to listen), and he installed it back directly on my battery

 

Next week CNY i'm going overseas i will probably disconnect my IU from my battery and leave it till i come back and then see how it goes!

[chriszzz]

Firstly, if your battery went flat, there's no need to change a new battery unless the battery is faulty. Just charge it fully by going for a long ride.

 

Secondly, the VICOM mechanic is exaggerating. Although there is some slight effect with turning the IU on and off (as is the case with most electronics), the effect is very little. It may shorten the IU life by a few percent, but that's hardly any reason to worry and it will likely still outlast your bike's COE. It was just a coincidence that your IU died on that day.

 

Many cars, for example, have their IU wired so that it turns on and off with the car. This is not to save battery (because cars have huge batteries compared to bikes), but so that the IU automatically displays the cashcard value when the driver starts the engine. This doesn't cause any problems and I've been driving for almost 20 years.

 

I suggest you re-wire the IU back to the fuse box so that it turns on and off with the bike, but take special car to rewire it so that it does not tap into an important fuse. The taillight or indicator light fuse is a good choice.

 

Just sharing, when i went overseas 2 week last year june, i came back with my battery dead too. Got sent to mechanic to (not bump start but...) change the whole battery.

 

Mechanic told me it was the IU that was eating up the battery, because my IU was connected directly to the battery, so he re-routed my IU such that it will only turn on when my key is in ignition.

 

BUT that day my IU spoil, send to VICOM the VICOM mechanic scold me say like that on off on off the IU will spoil (really confused dk who to listen), and he installed it back directly on my battery

 

Next week CNY i'm going overseas i will probably disconnect my IU from my battery and leave it till i come back and then see how it goes!

[SV650]

Aftermarket batteries usually can last for 1-2 years. Do ask your mechanic to check the condition of your battery and change if need. If the battery lifespan is due and you continue to use it, it will damage your charging system. End up, you will have to replace the battery, rectifier (you should have it on your bike) and charging coil.

 

If you don't ride regularly, it is good to install an electrical connector so that you can disconnect your IU from the battery. The draw back is that you have to open up the seat and connect the IU whenever you need to ride & pass thru ERP gantries or electronic car park system.

[WTBH]

get a voltmeter and monitor

 

Hi, I am riding a Yamaha YP400. My voltmeter used to show 14.0 - 14.2 V. Today, it just show 13.0 - 13.5 V. Is it time to replace the battery. Thanks for advice.

[SV650]

WTBH, 14.0 - 14.2V is your charging voltage. If it drops down to below normal reading, do have your mechanic to check your battery and charging system.

 

The correct method to check your battery:

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=30

[WTBH]

Thanks SV650.

[reize]

I actually have this problem too. I recently went to the UK for one week and disconnected the negative terminal on my FZ16. The IU is connected on the positive terminal, which I had left alone.

 

When I came back, the battery wasn't flat, but it had discharged enough that the starter wouldn't turn, only the lights and dash would work. Lucky I have kick start, but I intend to change to DRZ400SM soon and most of them don't have a kick start.

 

So the thing is, should I be disconnecting the positive terminal as well (and of course the IU)? Or would it just discharge anyway even if the battery was totally disconnected?

[SV650]

I actually have this problem too. I recently went to the UK for one week and disconnected the negative terminal on my FZ16. The IU is connected on the positive terminal, which I had left alone.

 

When I came back, the battery wasn't flat, but it had discharged enough that the starter wouldn't turn, only the lights and dash would work. Lucky I have kick start, but I intend to change to DRZ400SM soon and most of them don't have a kick start.

 

So the thing is, should I be disconnecting the positive terminal as well (and of course the IU)? Or would it just discharge anyway even if the battery was totally disconnected?

How long have you been using the current battery on your FZ16?

[reize]

How long have you been using the current battery on your FZ16?

 

About 6 Months only, very new. Previous one had discharged completely after 1 week sitting without use but wouldn't hold a charge after kicking the bike and riding for 30 mins. Changed it out to the current one.

 

My batteries have always been dry cell instead of wet cell.

[SV650]

I suppose technically, as long as the battery is disconnected (either positive or negative), there should be minimum discharge from the battery.

 

I guess if your riding pattern does not provide sufficient charging, the battery might not be fully charged and over a period of time, goes flat. The good option is to let your mechanic check on the problem cos there are a few possibilities to why your battery goes flat while you are away.

 

Below are links to some articles, which maybe useful to you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-discharge

 

http://www.whitedogbikes.com/shop/content/11-motorcycle-battery-faqs/#chargeonbike

[reize]

I suppose technically, as long as the battery is disconnected (either positive or negative), there should be minimum discharge from the battery.

 

I guess if your riding pattern does not provide sufficient charging, the battery might not be fully charged and over a period of time, goes flat. The good option is to let your mechanic check on the problem cos there are a few possibilities to why your battery goes flat while you are away.

 

Below are links to some articles, which maybe useful to you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-discharge

 

http://www.whitedogbikes.com/shop/content/11-motorcycle-battery-faqs/#chargeonbike

 

Huh,

 

I think it might be my commute distance. I only ride approx 10km a day, 5km to work and 5km back. Maybe it's not long enough to keep the bike fully charged at 100%. Even weekends I sometimes only ride about that much.

[SV650]

You can consider using a battery charger or ride a bit longer to have better charging.

 

You can do a search for a suitable charger and nessesary wiring on the bike if you think it's something you prefer.

 

I'll usually ride 0.5-1 hour on the weekend to charge the battery and explore some less visited part of Singapore.

 

Installing a volt meter on the bike can help to monitor your battery condition.

 

Have fun exploring the various methods to keep your bike healthy.

[chriszzz]

Solid advice from bro SV650.

 

I have a battery charger at home, and have already had to use it twice.

 

Go for longer rides regularly to fully charge your battery. I sometimes purposely take a longer route, or ride to a supermarket furtheraway, or ride to Changi Village for dinner/supper, just to get afew extra miles. Of course, I also enjoy riding, so the extra distance is a pleasure rather than a chore as long as it's not during peak hours.

 

And like what SV650 suggested, I also installed a voltmeter. Costs $5-10 from Aliexpress, takes 10 minutes to install, and now I know my battery's general health everytime I start my bike.

 

 

 

You can consider using a battery charger or ride a bit longer to have better charging.

 

You can do a search for a suitable charger and nessesary wiring on the bike if you think it's something you prefer.

 

I'll usually ride 0.5-1 hour on the weekend to charge the battery and explore some less visited part of Singapore.

 

Installing a volt meter on the bike can help to monitor your battery condition.

 

Have fun exploring the various methods to keep your bike healthy.