Battery

[34468 Randy]

A couple questions sent out for anyone. How long, or how many miles should one expect out of original equipment battery on an 06. I have done some research on this site and haven't quite come up with an answer. I have an 06, bought it in the crate in July 06. I have 60,000 km on it (37,200 miles). I commute year round rain shine (sometimes get caught in the snow too but that's another thread). Wear and use a heated vest often. No after market do dads on the bike.

Symptoms. Recently I have noticed that when I gear down, the headlights appear to dim, but only while the clutch is in and just as it is being clicked into the lower gear. This does not happen in the up shift. and there have been absolutely no issues with starting the bike, or the electrical system otherwise. Performance is not compromised at all.

If the battery is nearing its functional life, I will just go out and get a new one before it fails me and I find myself in a spot somewhere, some time. I hate being late for work, or anything else for that matter.

[derstuka]

You bastard Randy! How could you ask such a question?!!! Hahaha! Just messin' ole buddy ole pal!

In my experience so far, the batteries have slowly (well, I guess I should define slowly....over a matter of days/weeks) gotten worse...sometimes faster than others, but it was usually noticed by me that the bike/car would turn over slowly for no reason. I have heard of a battery taking a sh*t during a ride before, after the bike was shut off and it would not restart.

About your light issue.....did you notice this before? As you know, the stator is putting out less juice at a lower rpm, so you see it is normal to see the headlights dim when downshifting/going to a lower rpm. Have you tested your battery to see what the voltage is with bike off, idling, and around 5k? If the battery is consistently under 12.7 volts or so, it might be getting old and need replacement.

My advice is to test the battery, and see what it tells ya. Batteries are not that expensive either to me...only around 60-70 bucks for a good Yuasa usually, and a lot of reassurrance goes along with that!

[34468 Randy]

Originally Posted by derstuka

You bastard Randy!

If you know this, you must be my dad!

I am just about to step out into the garage and have my first ever go around at servicing this thing so I will poke around. But in short terms, two years and 37,000 miles is reasonable life expectancy or a M/C battery then?

And No I have not really noticed this before. I head out for work at 02:30 every day and I have just noticed this in the last couple weeks. And as for the lower RPM part of your response, the clutch is engaged so the RPMs are constant. Basically the motor is idling. I have tried engaging the clutch and coasting and the lights do not dim until the moment I kick the gear down. The light intensity does not change much but it is there, and it stays there until I start to drive away again.

[34468 Randy]

Originally Posted by derstuka

My advice is to test the battery, and see what it tells ya. Batteries are not that expensive either to me...only around 60-70 bucks for a good Yuasa usually, and a lot of reassurrance goes along with that!

That is probably the only tool I don't have is a volt meter. I test sockets by sticking my fingers in them. That's another thread again. As far as getting a new battery I am comfortable with that as this is the cost of doing business but don't want to throw money at fixing something that does not need fix'n. And I did see that Yuasa did pop up frequently in the other threads. I hope they are available here north of the 49th. Maybe I see a road trip coming up...

[34468 Randy]

Well. The battery issue aside, I did my first ever oil change on the bike today. Also put on a K&N air filter and I gotta telly you it was a chore for the first time. But should be easier next time.

But I gotta tell you am I ever pissed at Honda. I had no extra thingies left over. I always have extra thingies left over and use them to fix other thingies but noooo not this time.

Someone mentioned in an earlier post of mine about my service center having to replace too many panel clips. As far as I am concerned the couple dollars I had to pay for these clips was well worth the farting around I had to do to get the used ones back in.
I am sooooooo proud of myself I think I am going to have a nice sip of 18 year old now.

[Joey_Dude]

Congratulations on your first oil change!! I can remember my first time like it was yesterday ;) lol, make sure that 18 year old *really* is 18!!

As for those freaking plastic fairing clips you push in the middle of the clip with a screwdriver and pull the clip out. Likewise before putting the clip back on pull the middle part out so it's poking out and once you put the clip in the hole push in the middle part until it's flush with the rest of the clip.

I broke 2 of those #$##@ clips before figuring that one out! As for the battery, from talking to other fellow bikers they said that a regular battery usually lasts about a year so you're really using up that battery. I've heard some really good things about the Deka brand battery (and I have one for my bike) because they can last over 3 years without those damn battery tenders.

If you think that oil change was fun, wait til you replace the chain!! Talk about faith in your own work ha ha!

[Lgn001]

Originally Posted by 34468 Randy

I am sooooooo proud of myself I think I am going to have a nice sip of 18 year old now.

Any excuse will do... Well, for me, anyway!

The older style lead-acid batteries (with the little vent caps) used to fail after two or three years. The newer AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) type seem to go about four or five years without a problem, provided that they do not sit around neglected or get overheated regularly.

The only experience I have with the new style is my SV650, which I have had since 2000. The original failed after about four years, and the Yuasa I replaced it with is still going strong. I don't put on nearly the mileage you do, though.

[DANIMAL]

Randy,

Well it has finally happened Your love(VFR) has turned you into a mechanic. If you were riding a hardley or a duc you would have been forced to do it within weeks of ownership. Glad you enjoyed the experience. First time always takes the longest. Except with sex which is usually the shortest. Do you own a service manual? You should get one, it makes a great bathroom reader. I presently am looking for mine because I am too scatter brained to remember where I put it down last. It is a good read, a might technical at times but I love the Main Character.
Working on these bikes is such a joy. Everything has easy access, NOT. and those clips, don't get me started. I buy em by the dozen from my dealer.

About the Battery, I bought my 06 on March 22, 2006. I have had no problems with it, so far. I have no electrical do-dads connected to what so ever. I would be curious to know what is the current requirement for your vest? Stators in these bikes are made to put out a bare minimum of current. A battery should last 3 or 4 years if it properly cared for. Yuasa is a japanese company and their Batteries are available worldwide for a nominal fee, LOL.
Anyway, Congrats on your first oil change. Try to lose some of those anal retentive traits you picked up from your career in the RCMP. go ahead be late at least once a year for something. Life is short, do something out of character once in a while. Your friends will wonder what you are up to.
Have fun.
peace out

[34468 Randy]

Originally Posted by Joey_Dude

Congratulations on your first oil change!! I can remember my first time like it was yesterday ;) lol, make sure that 18 year old *really* is 18!!

If you think that oil change was fun, wait til you replace the chain!! Talk about faith in your own work ha ha!

A guy at work showed an interest in my daughter when she was 18. He hasn't been heard from or seen since. Joey...watch out for fathers of 18 year old girls. They are like badgers when it comes to their daughters.

And as far as those clips go. I have no intentions of ever using one over again. Again the couple buck I pay for them is worth the anguish I prevent. I have no intention of ever changing a chain and sprocket. That was just done. But then I said I would never do an oil change either.

[34468 Randy]

Originally Posted by Lgn001

Any excuse will do... Well, for me, anyway!

I know and use them all, you know that

[34468 Randy]

Originally Posted by DANIMAL

Randy,

Well it has finally happened Your . First time sex.

Try to lose some of those anal retentive traits you picked up from your career in the RCMP. go ahead be late at least once a year for something. Life is short, do something out of character once in a while. Your friends will wonder what you are up to.
Have fun.
peace out

Careful Bud. I can still find out where you live. Yep, I have recently aquired the Haynes Service Manual. A great investment. It is for the 02-05 but I am confident the 06 is the same. I will probably tackle a few other items but will leave the more technical stuff to someone else.

I AM NOT ANAL RETENTIVE. I like to look at it as being reliable. Truth of the matter is I don't think anyone has quite got a grip on this humanoid. My wife has been trying for 23 years and she still shakes her head. The kids just laugh at us.

BTW the vest is a Gerbings Heated jacket. That is it has sleeves as well as the vest. Don't know what the draw is. Have to Google that one. But Joey say he only gets a year out of his regular battery. That seems a little short to me, but then I am new to this still. In experienced you might say. Like those 18 year olds he refered to

Sorry Joey. You left yourself open to that one.