Battery Life

[bigbadbrucie]

Just curious.....what is the longest, in time, before you replaced your battery. The battery on my 2014 RTS-SE6 has been going strong since the Spyder was new. Every year when I know that it will be parked for longer than a couple of months, I’ve put it on a tender. Unless I’m on a trip, it’s parked in a non-heated garage every night. This year, I chickened out and bought a new OEM battery from BRP and replaced it. The original battery was still working fine, but I thought that after 6 years of faithful service, it deserved a rest. (and like I say, I chickened out).
GOTTA LOVE YUASA.

 

[2dogs]

I have a 14RTS SE6 with and OEM battery and it is still going strong. Like you i keep it on a tender during cold months but not during warmer months. On start up it still reads 12+ volts. However, i do carry a small jump pack for myself or anyone else that may need it.

 

[TicketBait]

You did right, I replaced my first one after 5 years and last time after4 ½ years on my 2010

 

[Little Blue]

Well the normal is about 5 years.
That being said, the conditions that the battery is exposed to are a major factor. Hot (heat) is a Big Killer. Probably your local conditions are a big plus. The battery tender is a good thing too.
ENJOY your Ryde time and Always Ryde Safe. ....:thumbup:

 

[JayBros]

Mine died at about five years from take possession date. Bike was manufactured 3/14 but don't know age of battery at build out. Routinely used tender.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am from the conservative school. If you all remember, I lived 20 years in Alaska. Two dealers in AK at first, then one, then none. Both dealers were in the area where I lived. The dealer I used the whole time I owned Spyders from 2008, on...was only five miles from where I lived.

Alaska being big, and no other dealers for 1000 plus miles...I did not want to experience a battery failure 100 miles or more from nowhere. When a battery does decide to go, it usually dies without warning. Enter Murphy's Law--If something bad can happen, it will.

I changed my batteries out every three years of operation...whether they needed it or not. I never got stuck by a dead or dying battery. We did 150K miles on our Spyders on Alaska roads with NO issues.

Now that I have moved to warmer climes, and can ride all year long, I am going to continue the three year replacement process, whether I need to or not. Conservative, conservative, conservative.

$150 for a battery, beats a $500 tow.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I am from the conservative school. If you all remember, I lived 20 years in Alaska. Two dealers in AK at first, then one, then none. Both dealers were in the area where I lived. The dealer I used the whole time I owned Spyders from 2008, on...was only five miles from where I lived.

Alaska being big, and no other dealers for 1000 plus miles...I did not want to experience a battery failure 100 miles or more from nowhere. When a battery does decide to go, it usually dies without warning. Enter Murphy's Law--If something bad can happen, it will.

I changed my batteries out every three years of operation...whether they needed it or not. I never got stuck by a dead or dying battery. We did 150K miles on our Spyders on Alaska roads with NO issues.

Now that I have moved to warmer climes, and can ride all year long, I am going to continue the three year replacement process, whether I need to or not. Conservative, conservative, conservative.

$150 for a battery, beats a $500 tow.

I lived for 50 years, in Fort St. John which is milepost 50 on the Alaska Highway, and the majority of my M/C riding was done there. My 2014 RTS is my first 3 wheeler and I bought it here in Chilliwack. I, too, always changed my battery every 3 years max., and was never stranded. This is the first time ever that I've had the same M/C battery for 6 years, so I know where you're coming from. Like I previously posted, I "chickened out".

 

[Mr. White]

As said before, I change all of my vehicle batteries every three years. I ride in west Texas and don't wish to have a battery failure in no where along with no cell service.....I consider my battery expense the same as I do insurance. Ya don't need it until you need it.....

 

[2dogs]

I consider myself conservative also. By treating my battery right and having the luck of BRP supplying a good battery (how'd that happen) i'm guessing I'm well on the backside of my battery's life cycle. Rather than buying a new one every 3 years i figure I've saved enough to pay for the tender and the jump pack. But, it's like betting on the come, sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. However i do keep a close eye on my amp gauge and keep an ear out on how many grunts my starter puts out before my 1330 fires up.

 

[krakum1967]

I went to a Lithium Ion battery. The battery tender brand, and I still carry my portable jumper and cables for the other bikes or trikes. But having the 480 CCAs this Battery Tender brand battery is giving me is incredible, and I swear it boosted my performance too. But 6 years is long enough, you are taking chances on a complete battery failure at that age, had one happen last year on a BMW cycle (old one) and its not fun....

 

[h0gr1der]

My Yuasa bit me, 10 months being pampered and it left me on the side of the road with a failed cell. Always charged with a battery tender whenever parked. Garage kept. Luck of the draw I guess. Or I'm cursed. I usually have much better luck with Yuasa and AGM, but not this time. Prompted me to get one of those fancy jump packs. Would have made it home if I'd have one of those on board. Also found out that the Yausa only have a 6 month warrant when purchased and installed at Can Am dealers. Better off buying Deka brand (1 year warranty) or aftermarket Yuasa if they list 1 yea as the warranty.

 

[Elwood58]

We got 8 years out of the original 2012 battery. Just changes ours last weekend.

 

[merlot]

my Yuasa tested "borderline"so i swapped it with a DEKA....needed to flatten the top clamp,but otherwise a good fit

plan to use the Yuasa in the trailer,to power the lights and cigar socket...much lighter than a car battery

russ

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

My Yuasa bit me, 10 months being pampered and it left me on the side of the road with a failed cell. Always charged with a battery tender whenever parked. Garage kept. Luck of the draw I guess. Or I'm cursed. I usually have much better luck with Yuasa and AGM, but not this time. Prompted me to get one of those fancy jump packs. Would have made it home if I'd have one of those on board. Also found out that the Yausa only have a 6 month warrant when purchased and installed at Can Am dealers. Better off buying Deka brand (1 year warranty) or aftermarket Yuasa if they list 1 yea as the warranty.

ANY battery can can one or more cells fail ….. nothing is perfect …. I have been recommending getting a jumper pack for years … they don't cost much and can save your Butt in pinch …. imho folks trash perfectly good batteries long before their time … I just changed my OEM Yuasa at the end of the 19 riding season … 5 years isn't too bad ….. good luck …. Mike hyea:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

ANY battery can can one or more cells fail ….. nothing is perfect …. I have been recommending getting a jumper pack for years … they don't cost much and can save your Butt in pinch …. imho folks trash perfectly good batteries long before their time … I just changed my OEM Yuasa at the end of the 19 riding season … 5 years isn't too bad ….. good luck …. Mike hyea:

Mike, isn’t that more like 6 years? All of 2014 is one, and work that up to all of 2019 is a total of 6 years. That’s how I figure I’m replacing mine after 6 years. Either way though, 5 or 6 years just ain’t too shabby. and I agree, I also have a jumper pack, used only once, and that was on someone else’s ride.

 

[Revalden]

I just bought one of these...
https://www.bigtimebattery.com/store/ytx24hl-charger-combo.html with 2 yr warranty.
And it comes with their battery charger/maintainer and instructions. Where else can you get that?

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I didn’t realize just how much of a difference a new battery could make. After the new one was installed, I noticed right away just how much better the bike started....how much faster the starter turned over, and then I put it in gear. My god....the take off was faster, the shifting seemed tighter, much more responsive, just a new bike. And this because of changing out a batter I thought was still alright. If you have any doubts, just do it.

 

[2dogs]

I didn’t realize just how much of a difference a new battery could make. After the new one was installed, I noticed right away just how much better the bike started....how much faster the starter turned over, and then I put it in gear. My god....the take off was faster, the shifting seemed tighter, much more responsive, just a new bike. And this because of changing out a batter I thought was still alright. If you have any doubts, just do it.

Hey Alf. Are you sure it wasn't somebody else's bike you jumped on and started it up and took off? If it was you better take back to them. Just kidding, just kidding. But you're right, bikers and their batteries can grow old together.

 

[Little Blue]

BK post is '(19 meaning the year 2019)'. So 2019 less 2014 = 5. So a five year battery life.
Ryde Safe and Enjoy your Ryde Time......:thumbup:

 

[Rookiespyder]

Where did you purchase your battery from, I have a 2015 RTL with the original battery so I am thinking it is time for a new one.Thanks