Re: Battery Charging

Terry, welcome to the list and congratulations on your choice of rides! Somehow I think your post only came to me. In the future if you want to send a note to the entire list, send it to .

In any case, there is a 90% (if not 99%) chance you need a new battery especially if the battery in the bike is the original battery. I would suggest getting a Yuasa or Interstate (made by Yuasa for interstate to the exact same specs) although some will suggest other options. I would not suggest getting some unknown named battery from Bubba's Auto Parts, etc. There is always a chance that you have other more serious electrical problems but start with the battery. As I understand it, you cannot even troubleshoot the other potential problems without a good battery. I let my bike sit for 2 months (Nov / Dec) as I was out of the country and it showed 12.2 when I returned and it cranked the bike right up.

Hmmm, one other thought .... do you know if your voltmeter is on all the time? If so, it can draw down your battery. I have a radio shack VM on my bike and initially it would draw down my battery over several weeks so I put a switch on it and turn it off when I park the bike between rides.) IIRC, before I put the switch on the VM it would draw the battery down into the 11's over a couple of weeks but never down into the 5s. This is just another reason to suspect the battery.

I'm short on time right now so I am going to let the rest of the list answer your other questions about charging your battery, cost of tires and brakes, etc. I am sure you will also get much more on the battery issue as well.

Good luck!
Vic


Terry Manson wrote:
Hi Folks. I'm new to the VFR listing and new to riding. I bought a 99 VFR last April (and I love it) and I've ridden it pretty consistently about 4 or 5 times a week to work or where ever until about 3 weeks ago. Got too cold for me personally. I live in Atlanta, GA, so you can ride year round if you want. Anyhow, I had it parked for about 3 weeks, maybe less, covered but sitting in the cold and the battery voltage dropped to about 8 Volts turned off and about 5V when I switched the key to the on position (The previous owner installed a voltage meter). Needless to say, it wouldn't crank. So I have a couple of questions.

1. Is it typical for the battery voltage to drop if the bike sits for just 3 weeks? Does the cold weather have anything to do with it? It just seemed like a short amount of time to me. I don't even think it was 3 weeks.

2. Where's a good place to get it recharged? Can I go to my local autoparts store and let them charge it or should I take the battery to a "bike mechanic"? How much is it going to cost me....I'm poor?

3. Random question off the subject: How much I'm I gonna pay for brakes and tires? I think I may need both by the spring.

I have a Haynes serive and repair manual and I skimmed through the "recharging the battery" section. Removal seemed pretty straight forward, but any tips would be appreciated. Thanks Folks.

Terry

"vic5491@xxxxxx" wrote:
FWIW, I have a 99 VFR and during the summer I rather consistently get right at 200 miles (+ or - 10) before the 1 bar flashing begins. When I fill it up, it takes right at 4.5 gallons. Therefore I am getting about 44.5 miles per gallon. If I ride it aggressively, it will drop down to 38 or 39 but seldom below. Last year a friend fell 300 miles from home and broke several ribs and messed up his bike but it was rideable. We found the easiest route home (via as much interstate as possible) and cruised at 65 to 70 most of the way home and I got 50.7 mpg. During the winter, however, I normally get 170-180 miles between fill ups (still 4.5 gallons) so my mileage drops to about 38, presumably due to the winter blend of gas.

Vic

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