2017 RT Battery Replaced - now to fit the accessories

[dolittle]

I hope I do this OK. My 2017 RT-S was bought fall of 2016. I kept the battery on a tender. I have 29,000 miles on the bike now & no problems 'til this past 2022, when it would start, but when cold it cranked slow, but still started. When cold, if I wanted the bike out of the garage, I would just release the brake and push it out. Then later this winter, the parking brake would release but would not set unless I started the engine, then it would set. Battery load tested OK, but it is old, and I have read posts on here about the battery, so I got a new one from Amazon - AGM. I charged it and installed it, got the hold down in on the second try, engine spins over fast now and the brake works, but it is a little warmer, and I do think it was time for a new battery!!!
I am not good at this, so I do not know how to put on the accessories I have, and my spelling sucks.

Dolittle

[Little Blue]

It seems like you're able to get a Battery replacement done.
That sounds like a great thing to me.
If you enjoy your Spyder Ryde Times that's wonderful.
I have been doing some things but as I get older I am limited to what I can do now.

Stay Healthy and Enjoy Your Life. .....

[oldguyinTX]

I hope I do this OK. My 2017 RT-S was bought fall of 2016. I kept the battery on a tender. I have 29,000 miles on the bike now & no problems 'til this past 2022, when it would start, but when cold it cranked slow, but still started. When cold, if I wanted the bike out of the garage, I would just release the brake and push it out. Then later this winter, the parking brake would release but would not set unless I started the engine, then it would set. Battery load tested OK, but it is old, and I have read posts on here about the battery, so I got a new one from Amazon - AGM. I charged it and installed it, got the hold down in on the second try, engine spins over fast now and the brake works, but it is a little warmer, and I do think it was time for a new battery!!!
I am not good at this, so I do not know how to put on the accessories I have, and my spelling sucks.

Dolittle

Doolittle, you are a better man than me. I replaced my battery fall a year ago, and I fought my hold down for the batter part of an hour and gave up. To add insult to injury, the battery died on the morning that my wife and I were going to ride down to Wimberly TX from Austin. Imagine me trying to explain to my wife that I didn't know the battery was dead until I tried to start the Spyder and then she wanted to know why didn't I check the Spyder the day before to make sure all was well so that we could take off bright and early. Lucky me, I was able to get a battery that day (Saturday) from Batteries Plus of all places, the bike fired up and we went on our merry way. Although I have yet to hear the end of it.

[Peter Aawen]

I hope I do this OK. My 2017 RT-S was bought fall of 2016. I kept the battery on a tender. I have 29,000 miles on the bike now & no problems 'til this past 2022, when it would start, but when cold it cranked slow, but still started. .....

It's that bit that can catch you out dolittle, especially if you aren't riding your bike regularly!

You really shouldn't put your battery on a battery tender if you're going to ride your bike within the next week or so, or you risk taking it off the tender and being able to start when you're at home, but then finding out the battery is really toast later on that day when you're 100 miles or so away from home when it fails!! And as oldguy discovered, it always pays to take it off the tender a day or so before you want to use it again. Sure, that way you might still be caught with a dead battery when you do go to use it, but at least you're home & you might be able to do something about it!!

By leaving it for at least a week

[Peteoz]

It's that bit that can catch you out dolittle, especially if you aren't riding your bike regularly!

You really shouldn't put your battery on a battery tender if you're going to ride your bike within the next week or so, or you risk taking it off the tender and being able to start when you're at home, but then finding out the battery is really toast later on that day when you're 100 miles or so away from home when it fails!! And as oldguy discovered, it always pays to take it off the tender a day or so before you want to use it again. Sure, that way you might still be caught with a dead battery when you do go to use it, but at least you're home & you might be able to do something about it!!

By leaving it for at least a week

Hahaha……yep…….as Oldguy AND ME discovered, Peter. I now only put the RT on the tender if it is going to sit for a couple of weeks……and never before an overnight trip. It’s working well so far …….ooooops, I probably shouldn’t have written that

Pete

[Ex-Rocket]

I replaced my battery last fall even though I was not having any problems starting the Spyder. The battery was 5 years old or older, cause you don't know how long the battery sat on the shelf somewhere. I think 5 years is about as long I'd go on a motorcycle battery before replacing it. Just my 2 cents.

[al0vely]

I sold my 2016 F3L a couple of weeks ago and it still had the original battery in it ... I guess I was just lucky.

The 2014 RTS had the OEM battery replaced in October 2021.

I cross my fingers that my new to me 2020 RTL will last a long time also.

[mandytuning]

I replaced my battery last fall even though I was not having any problems starting the Spyder. The battery was 5 years old or older, cause you don't know how long the battery sat on the shelf somewhere. I think 5 years is about as long I'd go on a motorcycle battery before replacing it. Just my 2 cents.

Im with you, but my bike is only 9months and came with a china battery and im seriously thinking about replacing it soon before it do some funny things in middle nowhere.