Battery on 2011 RT won't hold a charge

[Mr. White]

I charge my battery through the outlet in the trunk and have my heated clothing pigtail hooked directly to my battery. It is much easier to plug in my battery tender when I park BR1.

:spyder2:

 

[SpydherLuv]

The day got worse....

I was able to get my :spyder2: jump started, but it just didn't sound well ( kinda like having a scratchy throat ). So I started heading out of the parking lot not intending to make any unnecessary stops. I got about 40 feet out of the main entrance and she lit up like a Christmas tree, then began to sputter. It never went into limp mode, but each time I twisted the throttle, it sputtered and slowed more. I headed to a parking area across the street where I saw shade (it was around 90 degrees out) and while at the stop light I wasn't able to downshift, nor did the bike auto-shift to first, it was stuck in 2nd gear. . Needless to say, I called for roadside assistance.

I would like to add that the entire time I was stranded, my dealership's Service Manager stayed available to me and assured me that he would do everything he could to get my :spyder2: back to me ASAP. I know, lip service, right? He did say that he had a new battery and was in process of charging it. He tried to help me with telling me how to get the tranny back into neutral, manually. Unfortunately, I didn't have any tools with me, so I continued to sit and wait for a tow. I knew the tow truck would arrive at the dealership later than when he told me he was going to be there so I didn't expect him to tell me that he was going to hang out until my :spyder2: got there, he did. For now, I can say that I got great service, especially on a day when the service department does not have any techs working.

I'll let you know the outcome in a day or two (I hope).

 

[Mr. White]

I am sorry for your problem(s), but it sure sounds like your service manager is going the extra mile for you. In south TX all motorcycle dealers are closed on Sunday and Monday except the HD dealers who are open seven days a week.

I hope all is well. Let us know. We care.

:spyder2:

 

[SpydherLuv]

I charge my battery through the outlet in the trunk and have my heated clothing pigtail hooked directly to my battery. It is much easier to plug in my battery tender when I park BR1.

:spyder2:

Do you use a Powerlet? And, on your tender, is it 1.5Amp or 2Amp (what is recommended?)?

 

[boborgera]

Do you use a Powerlet? And, on your tender, is it 1.5Amp or 2Amp (what is recommended?)?

In my opinion 2 amps is on the high side, 1.5 would be better, When it was legal i kept 6 gel batteries charged for 6 deer feeders with a 1.5 amp charger'
And they lasted for years . And that's running all winter hanging in trees in sub zero Temps.
Slow and easy is the best way to charge a battery.

 

[Mr. White]

Do you use a Powerlet? And, on your tender, is it 1.5Amp or 2Amp (what is recommended?)?

Yes, I use the Powelet pigtail and plug my 1.5 Amp Battery Tender in the RT trunk outlet when not riding as I do with my Gold Wing. I think, as said by bobogara, 2 Amp is a little high and 1.5 works fine for me. I also use 1.5 on my tractor and riding mower, but a 2 Amp on my motorhome with its two 6v deep cycle batteries hooked in series for 12v coach lighting.

:spyder2:

 

[NancysToy]

In my opinion 2 amps is on the high side, 1.5 would be better.

:agree:

 

[SpydherLuv]

Thanks guys, I have a 2 amp tender now, but will get a 1.5 amp asap. :thumbup:

 

[Mr. White]

In my opinion 2 amps is on the high side, 1.5 would be better, When it was legal i kept 6 gel batteries charged for 6 deer feeders with a 1.5 amp charger'
And they lasted for years . And that's running all winter hanging in trees in sub zero Temps.
Slow and easy is the best way to charge a battery.

Bob, if you would like to go deer hunting with me, come on down and bring your ball bat. You can sit on my back porch with a glass of iced tea and when Bucky comes over to see what treats you have for him...WHAP!, right between the ears....:roflblack:

 

[boborgera]

Bob, if you would like to go deer hunting with me, come on down and bring your ball bat. You can sit on my back porch with a glass of iced tea and when Bucky comes over to see what treats you have for him...WHAP!, right between the ears....:roflblack:

What kind of deer are they ,:dontknow: Looks like you been whacking them with white paint balls.
The only spotted dear out here a fawns.
But truthfully i love walking though the woods and if i sit somewhere and a buck [8Pt.] comes bye and wakes me i might take a shot [45/70]

 

[SpydherLuv]

Just got off the phone with the service manager and they determined that the charging system was the problem. Apparently it was shorting out on the gas tank (bad install from the factory). So parts are on order - he's trying to have my :spyder2: back to me for the weekend, but no guarantees. In a weird way I feel so much better that they actually found a problem - I can only hope that this is the only 'glitch' the factory made on her.

 

[Mr. White]

What kind of deer are they ,:dontknow: Looks like you been whacking them with white paint balls.

Bob, they are called Axis deer. Imported from Africa many years ago for a south TX game ranch...they got loose and, well, you know how deer are...ha ha. There is no season or limit on them here in TX. They are mainly in south TX and not seen other parts of the country. They grow larger than our white tails, which have a hunting season and limits. I don't hunt...ball bats are too cheap. ha ha This guy has been around for four or five years now...and has about six girl friends...he always has a grin on his face...
:roflblack:

I am glad to hear Spydherluv's dealer is stepping up and has found the problem....good show.

:spyder2:

 

[Rayelljay]

Could it be argued that owners who live in areas of extended cold weather that a fully charged battery will resist freezing the best.
I live in NC and the trumpet lived on a tender and gave me no problems whenever she wanted to go out.

Ray

 

[boborgera]

Could it be argued that owners who live in areas of extended cold weather that a fully charged battery will resist freezing the best.
I live in NC and the trumpet lived on a tender and gave me no problems whenever she wanted to go out.

Ray

I never had a gel battery freeze when it was low [not saying it can't]:dontknow: But i had a few acid batterys freeze and swell up.

 

[SpydeRider2010]

my 2010 RT SM5 came iwth a pigtail on it.


I have used a battery tender for more than
10 yrs. now; and have always had good
results with them (on 4 batteries...)

I plug mine in on weekends that I don't
get to ride, because of home work. I'm a
firm believer of tneders; and have seen
the positive results of one in action.

just quit the debate and appropriate. it'll
never let you down.

 

[SpydherLuv]

As I read about how many of you use battery tenders, it got me to thinking that if I had plugged Liberty into a tender it probably would have masked the problem because a tender bypasses the charging system, and I could have found myself stranded in any number of unsafe situations or places. I'm sure the issue would have reared its ugly head at some point, but I'm glad it happened close to home. As a general rule, I only use a tender if I know I'm not going to ride for 3 or more weeks.

 

[SpydherLuv]

Update on Liberty

I got a call from my dealer today telling me that the charging system harness came in and he was going to try and have the repair complete by 5:30pm. I received another call at 4:50 pm saying Liberty was ready to come home. hyea:
She ran like a dream all the way home, and I was even in stop and go traffic for a short time in 96+ degrees and not once did she stall. :clap:
One new battery and charging system harness later and we're back on the road to enjoy many happy miles together. :2thumbs:

 

[jsore6465]

bad battery

had same problem with mine put battery in and all is ok 1000 miles

Have had to jump start my battery three times in the last month. Took it in to dealer yesterday. Battery was only at 48%. Not enough to start engine. They put it on charger until it was fully charged. I drove 6 miles home. Less that 24 hours later, I put a Battery Tender on it. According to lights on tender, it had gone from fully charged to less than 80% charged just sitting in the garage overnight. Took 2 hours to get to over 80% and another hour to get to fully charged again. This is a brand new bike -- 395 miles. Just got my license yesterday so have been limited in how much I could ride. But jeez! What is draining my battery? The manual says to put it on a trickle charger if it sits for more than a month. Mine has never sit more than a week. Do I need to insist on a new battery or is something else wrong? :dontknow:

 

[RetiredCGRider]

Spyder Dealers need to look at this the Harley dealer way

At a Harley Dealership they install a Battery Tender Pigtail on every new bike, and the first thing they sell the new owner is a Battery Tender. Because motorcycle batteries will run down over time. I left my new 2011 RT-S for 2 weeks and when I tried to start it, it wouldn't!
I installed a tender the next day and haven't had a problem since.

So all you Spyder people out there with battery problems, if you don't have a battery tender installed. Get Smart buy one!!!!!

 

[NancysToy]

At a Harley Dealership they install a Battery Tender Pigtail on every new bike, and the first thing they sell the new owner is a Battery Tender. Because motorcycle batteries will run down over time. I left my new 2011 RT-S for 2 weeks and when I tried to start it, it wouldn't!
I installed a tender the next day and haven't had a problem since.

So all you Spyder people out there with battery problems, if you don't have a battery tender installed. Get Smart buy one!!!!!

A Spyder should not run down in two weeks...especially in warmer weather. I suspect you have deeper problems. Better check your battery and frame connections, and maybe test the battery.