Have I got a battery problem?

I had the same issues 2 weeks back. My thoughts were the previous owner could have just simply parked/stored the bike for a longer period. I checked to ensure the connections are all good and all seemed ok. I think once the cells in the battery starts depleting then charge is only temporary. So I ended up replacing my battery and it's been trouble free since then. Wait to hear from someone more knowledgeable before investing in a new battery.

 

I would say the weak link is the battery. The charging circuit looks healthy enough, but the battery should be a minimum of 12.6v imo even with the ignition on and engine off.

 

I had the same last year, convinced myself that I needed a new battery, put the Optimiser on over night and problem went away.
I have had batteries for 5 plus years and the have worked fine, and on the other hand they can go in a couple of years, have you any idea how old yours is? if over four years you may need to shell out for a replacement.

 

For what a new Motobatt costs i would start with that

 

Battery issues difficult to pin down as they can give all the right signs when showing some charge...
would be best bet changing (cheapest solution) initially...

 

I picked up Motobaht from squaredeals for a decent price . As others said I guess you are better off investing on a new battery

 

Unless I'm using bikes regularly I keep them hooked up to trickle chargers when not in use. My 2009 FJR1300 is still on the original battery after nearly 50,000 miles and the standard battery isn't thought of as particularly long lived. If there's any doubt I'd change the battery.

 

The thing with batteries is they can give the readings you want/need when not under load. But it really proves nothing.

Heavy duty discharge testers can help. These draw a large current from the battery and give a better indication of its true state, and how it behaves under load.

I'm hooked up to a tender all the time.

Atb

Bob

 

Dont do what I did and buy a cheap car battery charger, and charge it too quick, fried it. expensive lesson, optimate now though.

 

Just seen this thread. The clue here was the readout you gave, the 12.1 with ignition on is a tad low as that is with no load. You are lucky the sprag clutch is still ok tho.
glad the battery cured the problem.
Have to say I am not sure about the lidl battery charger,not coz of the price etc, but because it is a car charger and may be too powerful. optimate or similar is the way to go here. Just my opinion,I am sure others may disagree

 

The Lidl charger that Eric got for me had multiple programs, including differentiating between car and bike batteries, for the issue you spoke of.

 

I have an Oxford trickle charger doing nothing in my garage at the moment, I used to have two bikes so bought one for each but as I have no plans, or room to have more than one bike, it's not in use. You can have it for the cost of the postage. Drop me a pm if you're interested.

 

Yorkshireman.... you do know you're selling it for nothing not buying it for nothing?? Maybe he's just moved up there recently!
Very decent of you!!

 

I've been meaning to put on the bay every time I go into the cave, id just prefer it went to a deserving home.

 

No worries, anyone else interested? Same offer applies.