Batteries - Early / Late Model 2008 GS

[SpyderGirl]

So I've been around the block a few times with Spyders of all models and years. In my "adventures" I discovered (to my surprise) that there was a mid-year change in the battery on the 2008 GS. My neighbor has a late model 2008 and I have a early model 2008 (premier edition).

My question is this... what is the differences in the batteries besides physical size?

Also, why is it that I can't get a battery in mine to last longer than 14 to 18 months?? I keep in on a battery tender during the winter months when I am riding it less, however when I go to start it up it seems it almost doesn't have enough juice to crank the motor and then I am afraid to turn it off unless I ride it immediately after starting it up initially. I don't have quite 43K miles on mine and I am already about to put in my 4th battery in the past 4 years. My front tires have lasted longer (I still have my original tires at 43K).

Lastly, is there other battery options for me that may help solve the problem of dropping $125 on a battery every 14 to 18 months or so??

Input? Thoughts? Opinions? Advice?

Thanks.

 

[arntufun]

I have a PE edition Spyder and I'm still on my original battery. I'm only guessing that all your mods and lights have something to do with it ??? :yikes::yikes::yikes: Your Mods are listed below and what if something was drawing juice all the time ???

Corbin saddlebags, Corbin heated seats & driver backrest, GIVI V55 trunk w/ clear lens, Corbin hitch, Piggybacker trailer, fog lights, custom paint, F1 EVOIII windshield, RAM Garmin mount, Garmin Nuvi 760, RAM digital camera mount, RAM iPod mount, caliper trim, custom painted Hindle exhaust, custom 6 spoke wheels, side trim panels, amber fender tip signal/running lights, amber mudflap running/signal lights, (3) 12v cigar outlets, (1) 12v Powerlet outlet, Powerlet powered Spyder tankbag, TricLED tricfenderz, tricringz, and side lights, front RT shocks

 

[SpyderGirl]

I have a PE edition Spyder and I'm still on my original battery. I'm only guessing that all your mods and lights have something to do with it ??? :yikes::yikes::yikes: Your Mods are listed below and what if something was drawing juice all the time ???

Corbin saddlebags, Corbin heated seats & driver backrest, GIVI V55 trunk w/ clear lens, Corbin hitch, Piggybacker trailer, fog lights, custom paint, F1 EVOIII windshield, RAM Garmin mount, Garmin Nuvi 760, RAM digital camera mount, RAM iPod mount, caliper trim, custom painted Hindle exhaust, custom 6 spoke wheels, side trim panels, amber fender tip signal/running lights, amber mudflap running/signal lights, (3) 12v cigar outlets, (1) 12v Powerlet outlet, Powerlet powered Spyder tankbag, TricLED tricfenderz, tricringz, and side lights, front RT shocks

Obviously this has occurred to me, however I went through two batteries before most of this stuff was ever installed. I just am wondering if maybe there is a better battery option for me or something I can do?

Most of the time I am not running all of those things. I almost never have my foglights on, I rarely use my outlets, and if I do the most I am powering is an iPod or the Garmin, and maybe occassionally running one of my heated seats (rarely both), and I am good about keeping my RPMs up to get a good charge while riding. The batteries just don't seem to be keeping a good charge after about 14 to 18 months of use.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Neez]

My 2008 battery is still running strong. I ryde all year and never put it on a tender.

 

[SpyderGirl]

Hmmm.... just my luck. I also ride year round, but in the winter I may not ride but once or twice a week since I work from home and don't use it for commute.

Does anyone here know of the difference between the early model '08 battery and the late model '08 battery?

How about a better alternative to the early model '08 battery?

Just wanted to get an idea before I go and plop down another $120 on another battery from my dealer.

 

[qasamm]

Look for an odyssey battery- pretty much the same price and much more reliable. There is a thread here somewhere on the right model for the Spyder.

 

[SpyderGirl]

Look for an odyssey battery- pretty much the same price and much more reliable. There is a thread here somewhere on the right model for the Spyder.

Excellent!! If someone knows what thread he is talking about or has that information, please send it my way. I am also going to check for a possible wiring problem that may be wearing on the battery without my knowledge.

Thanks, keep the the thoughts and advice coming. :2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

Exactly what battery and model of it are you currently running in your Spyder? There's all sorts of batteries available; if we knew what you needed, some cross-referencing could be done...

 

[SpyderGirl]

Exactly what battery and model of it are you currently running in your Spyder? There's all sorts of batteries available; if we knew what you needed, some cross-referencing could be done...

I am unaware of what model it is, but it is a Yausa battery that I purchased through my local CycleGear. When my neighbor went to purchase the same model battery for his late model '08 was when it was discovered that his uses a different size (type?) battery than mine. That was another one of my questions... what is the difference between the two other than size?

 

[SpyderGirl]

Found a post from Lamont regarding this issue.... http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?35355-Parasitic-drain

I think this is my problem. I wonder WTF it could be??

 

[Gordy]

www.batterymart.com 0dysseypc680

 

[SpyderGirl]

www.batterymart.com 0dysseypc680

Thanks Gordy! Do we know if this fits the early 2008 GS since it appears there was a mid-year change in the battery?

Looks to be a comparable price to what I have now and to what the dealer is quoting me for a replacement.

 

[sabunim5]

Just a thought. On one of my other bikes, my charger/tender indicated it was doing it's job when it was not. That cost me one battery. I discovered there was corrosion where the charger/tender fuse was located. I cleaned the corrosion off and no more problems with dead batteries. Many of us (myself included) are still on the original battery on our PE edition Spyders. Good luck locating your problem. :thumbup:

 

[MMcc]

Battery drain

Have you checked the output to the battery when the spyder is running? There could be a problem with the charging circuit and it is really not bringing your battery back up to 13.7+ volts after starting. I have had problems with older bikes just putting out enough current to operate the lights etc and never doing much for the battery. Just a thought.

 

[SpyderGirl]

Have you checked the output to the battery when the spyder is running? There could be a problem with the charging circuit and it is really not bringing your battery back up to 13.7+ volts after starting. I have had problems with older bikes just putting out enough current to operate the lights etc and never doing much for the battery. Just a thought.

I will check this and all of the other suggestions made. My first battery went after about 9 months, the second after about a year, and this one I have had for a little more than 18 months. Strange since I have actually added accessories along the way and the battery has done better and better which leads me to belive there may be another problem.

I will be tearing it apart and testing it after our ride this weekend. Wish me luck!!

 

[Gordy]

Thanks Gordy! Do we know if this fits the early 2008 GS since it appears there was a mid-year change in the battery?

Looks to be a comparable price to what I have now and to what the dealer is quoting me for a replacement.

not sure but the should be able to give you the measurements

 

[Trickie Dick]

I've got an 08 as well. Still on original battery. I do use a tender during the winter but never after I start riding in the spring. Anyway, in anticipation of probably having to do something this year battery wise, I came upon this battery. It's pretty close in size to the current one that's in there now and the numbers look better than the Odssey 680, which I understand is a very good battery.
http://www.motobattbatteries.com/motobatt-mbtx24u.html

 

[NancysToy]

The only change I know mid year for the 2008s was to change from a dealer-prepped battery to a factory-prepped battery. Too many dealers were failing to let the batteries sit and absorb the acid, so they leaked when laided on their sides, and failed prematurely. I'd have to measure batteries to see if they are different in any other way.