Time to replace battery?

[5PYD3R]

Can't find the answer I need so...
I have an 09 GS. Still on original battery. Always pull battery and on tender in the winter. The last two years I will randomly see "low battery" warning on the dash then it goes away rather quickly when I start moving. Just had the battery tested and AutoZone is telling me it is good at 10.2 volts. Anyone know at what voltage such warning would flash? Maybe once it gets below 10 volts? Maybe something else could cause it? For it being a 6yr old battery I am inclined just to replace it rather than risk getting stranded.

[Cruzr Joe]

I agree, time to replace it.


Cruzr Joe

[bruiser]

Yeah, replace it. 10.2 is not good voltage and the mag system will not charge it enough to keep it going. Ideal resting voltage should be no less than 12.5 which is about 75% charge.

[Magdave]

Agreed 10.2V IS NOT good time to replace. I can't believe anyone would tell you it is OK. Batteries in bikes usually need changed every 4-5 yrs at most they aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. You have gotten good use from yours.

[ARtraveler]

I would also recommend replacing the battery. The upside, you got a pretty good life out of yours.

I was in the same position last year when I was on the fence trading the 2010 for the 2014. No issues with the 2010 battery but was afraid that it was getting close to quitting and leaving me stranded someplace. Had I kept the 2010, it would have been a new battery for sure.

[5PYD3R]

Thanks for the responses. Confirms my thoughts for sure. I questioned the guy when he told me that but to him, I was stupid to buy another battery when my current one is "perfectly fine." So whats everyone doing for replacement batteries these days?

[Chupaca]

you don't want it to give out when your out somewhere. You can't even crank these machines up if you drop much below 12 volts. 6/7 years is the high side of life for these batteries. It did you well...

[DrewNJ]

I do batteries every 5 years in all my machines, whether they need it or not. Batteries are cheap, getting stranded or playing games with jumper cables sucks!.

[MikeinGA]

I'm changing the battery in my 2011 RS-S SE5 in April, it will be about 4 years old.


Mike

[coz]

Can't find the answer I need so...
I have an 09 GS. Still on original battery. Always pull battery and on tender in the winter. The last two years I will randomly see "low battery" warning on the dash then it goes away rather quickly when I start moving. Just had the battery tested and AutoZone is telling me it is good at 10.2 volts. Anyone know at what voltage such warning would flash? Maybe once it gets below 10 volts? Maybe something else could cause it? For it being a 6yr old battery I am inclined just to replace it rather than risk getting stranded.

check out batteries plus. Spyder batteries are around 90 bucks, with a TWO year warranty. I bought a motobatt battery from their website. I got two that leaked before I got a good one. Never again.

[Big Arm]

You got your money's worth out of that one. I replaced mine with an Oddysey PC680.

[5PYD3R]

Does the odyssey fit the same as stock? No mods right?

[Dan McNally]

Thanks for the responses. Confirms my thoughts for sure. I questioned the guy when he told me that but to him, I was stupid to buy another battery when my current one is "perfectly fine." So whats everyone doing for replacement batteries these days?

A battery is "perfectly fine" until it isn't . . . and then, you may be far from home, in the rain, with no one around to jump you.

Unless you have no problem with sitting by the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck, replace it . . . replacing a battery before it dies is simply preventative maintenance.

[Bob Denman]

If the OEM Yuasa worked this well for this long; why not "keep dancing with the girl that you brought to the Party"?

[Magdave]

If the OEM Yuasa worked this well for this long; why not "keep dancing with the girl that you brought to the Party"?

Nothing wrong with a Yuasa. Spending more does not always equal a better battery it may just be for a longer warranty that both batteries will outlast. Just make sure the replacement is a AGM type and any maintainer you use is rated for an AGM battery.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a..._glass_mat_agm

[coz]

On the stock battery. At least it was when I bought my last battery two years ago. Two years is harder to come by in many brands. My two years is up recently. Dang.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Nothing wrong with a Yuasa. Spending more does not always equal a better battery it may just be for a longer warranty that both batteries will outlast. Just make sure the replacement is a AGM type and any maintainer you use is rated for an AGM battery.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a..._glass_mat_agm

Four years ago when I needed to buy a new battery for my Goldwing I searched various forums. The general consensus was unless there was some really good reason you felt compelled to spend a lot of extra money for an Optima, the Yuasa was hands down the best overall bike battery. My GW Yuasa lasted another year after I thought it was done for and so I carried the replacement for a year in the saddle bag! It actually was still working OK when I finally decided to swap it out before heading out on a 5000 mile trip.

[jaherbst]

Can't find the answer I need so...
I have an 09 GS. Still on original battery. Always pull battery and on tender in the winter. The last two years I will randomly see "low battery" warning on the dash then it goes away rather quickly when I start moving. Just had the battery tested and AutoZone is telling me it is good at 10.2 volts. Anyone know at what voltage such warning would flash? Maybe once it gets below 10 volts? Maybe something else could cause it? For it being a 6yr old battery I am inclined just to replace it rather than risk getting stranded.

In the hot climate here in the Tucson AZ and Phoenix AZ areas most batteries do not last beyond 3 years. Sometimes only two if you buy cheap.
In Seattle they would last 5-6 years. Battery Tenders left on for long periods if you do not have a sealed battery will deplete the water level and begin ruining the battery. Battery Tender is a common phrase used to describe all trickle chargers and not the actual badged "Battery Tender"

Most of there newer and better models have a "float" protection that will shut down and restart automatically when need.

My best guess is you are way overdue for a new battery.

Jack

[DrewNJ]

For your 09' just make sure that whatever battery you get is a true sealed battery and is designed to lay on its side. Battery water is a non-issue for your application since you shouldn't be using that type of battery to begin with.

Some replacement lead acid batteries are not truely sealed batteries. You have to add the acid. This is done for storage and shipping. Avoid these batteries.

AGM batteries are almost always a safe choice.

Good luck!

[Mr. White]

Some won't agree, but I replace my batteries every three years....good or bad. I sometimes ride in west Texas where there is no cell service and remote....if my battery goes down, I could be in deep trouble. I feel the money is well spent.

[Magdave]

Some won't agree, but I replace my batteries every three years....good or bad. I sometimes ride in west Texas where there is no cell service and remote....if my battery goes down, I could be in deep trouble. I feel the money is well spent.

Nothing wrong with that choice or reasoning better safe than sorry

[Bob Denman]

[5PYD3R]

Does anyone know the difference between the Yuasa YTX24HL and the YTX24HL-BS?

The YTX24HL is stock but when I search for it online it seems to cross reference to the YTX24HL-BS. This just a new model number? Will it work?

[bruiser]

The BS stands for bottle stock. This is a dry charge battery that comes with a bottle of acid and instructions on adding the solution. I think you can get it already to go from BatteryStuff.com. Braille is also an American made battery that has a two year warranty and comes ready to install.

[DrewNJ]

Great info bruiser!. IMHO- I'd avoid the BS battery. While the caps are supposed to seal, it would just make me nervous with the battery on its side and a potential leak at the caps.