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Battery replacement

M

Morturf

New member
I've owned my 2015 F3s for 4.5 years now. I'm getting ready to take a long trip and wondered if I should replace the battery before I go. This is my first motorcycle battery experience. I have a lot of machinery with batteries and they always seem to last +/- 4 years. Given the spyder is not your average everyday off the shelf battery, should I replace it before I take off? Or trust that it will get me there and back?
I've added heated gear to my F3 for this trip as well could that also be a factor. Thanks for everybody's help!
 
Morturf said:
I've owned my 2015 F3s for 4.5 years now. I'm getting ready to take a long trip and wondered if I should replace the battery before I go. This is my first motorcycle battery experience. I have a lot of machinery with batteries and they always seem to last +/- 4 years. Given the spyder is not your average everyday off the shelf battery, should I replace it before I take off? Or trust that it will get me there and back?
I've added heated gear to my F3 for this trip as well could that also be a factor. Thanks for everybody's help!
Click to expand...

Always better SAFE than SORRY your battery has just about lived it's life, play it safe get a new one.
 
The battery in my 2015 lasted just exactly 4 years, before failing to restart after a refueling stop.

And I had just crowed to an onlooker about Spyder reliability! Lucky for me he was already gone when I had to push Rocking Years away from the gas pump. With a full tank! :shocked:

It happened at 73,500 miles, but mileage doesn't matter.
 
I vote for being safe while you're on a road trip. If it makes you feel any better, I replaced mine (Feb 2015) a month ago and my husband replaced his (Sept 2015) on Saturday so we're all in the same boat.
 
I replace mine every three years whether they need it or not. Murphy's law states that if a battery does decide to die, it will happen in a most inconvenient place and time.
 
I live in an Alternate Universe where properly maintained Batteries last for at least 2 years beyond what 99% of owners think they do ……. I bought a decent Lithium battery jumper device for less than $ 50.00 …..I was able to keep my OEM battery for another … 2 years ... before I re-placed it. …. JMHO …. Mike :ohyea:
 
I still have the original battery in my 2014 RTS, with no problems, but I will get it tested early in the new season to see just what the cranking power is, and decide at that time whether I should replace it. You can get your battery tested!
 
You guys are the best! Really appreciate your help here! Think I'm gonna replace the darn thing... What stinks is they sure don't come cheap! Maybe a followup should be where to pick up a new one.
 
Morturf said:
You guys are the best! Really appreciate your help here! Think I'm gonna replace the darn thing... What stinks is they sure don't come cheap! Maybe a followup should be where to pick up a new one.
Click to expand...
If you're not in a rush to replace search online for a good price. If you are technically proficient go ahead and defy the usual recommendation here on the forum and get a -BS version. That means the acid comes separately in a bottle. You add the acid to the battery, let it soak for a day or two, and then put a slow charge on it, ~2 to 3 amps using a quality battery charger/maintainer. Done properly you'll get just as good life from it as from a factory charged battery.

The general consensus here is the OEM battery, a Yuasa YTX24HL, is overall the best value for money you can get.
 
The original battery is still in my Honda F6B 2013. I plug in the Tender once a month to keep it good. Works for me. cueman
 
I just had an incident with a dead battery - ironically after a refueling as someone else said.

I had no previous issues, kept it on battery tender (most of the time), no heated gear used. It lasted roughly 3 years. I know AZ heat wears down batteries, but I didn't think it would happen so suddenly.

Moral of the story: It can't hurt to replace it, especially before a long trip!
 
Well mine died suddenly on my 2014 Rt LTD. I bought it about 4+ years ago and it had a new battery in it. It might have given a few subtle hints it was getting weak but not strong enuf to ring my bell to change it. Well I had it sitting for 2 or 3 weeks not on the tender and It started so I could position it so I could change the oil and filter, air filter and fuel filter for my 19.000 mile checkup and when I put her all back together she wouldn't turn over at all. Usually my batts in my rides gave me more of a hint before dying. I'm guessing that Spyder tends to go quickly when she goes. I have a battery tender and Deltran (it was not attached the last couple of weeks) said it has a slow draw to the battery with a phone charge attached even when the phone in so plugged in. Luckily this happened in my garage and not on the road. One of the last rides I took was a day trip of about 200 miles and she made it fine. My portable jump start was dead so I could not use it. Anything special to know if I jump it from a car batt? Thanks, Mike
 
If you plan to jump start a Spyder from an auto/truck DO NOT have the jumping vehicle's engine running.

I replaced my 5+ year old battery last week with a factory filled and activated Yuasa YTX24HL. Yes, the darn thing was very expensive from the local RideNow dealership. I had to use my Rugged Geek RG 1000 jump pack to get my Spyder restarted when the battery gave up the ghost during an errand stop on the way home from my morning workout at the gym. I knew the battery was going but carry the RG all the time and had never used it before. The RG has been a regular part of my on the road kit for better than two years and will continue to be so even though my battery is brand new.
 
Can I ask why not have the jumping vehice's engine running? I don't know much about this stuff.

When I had my dead battery my friend came by in his pickup and it was running....and I was able to start it that way.



JayBros said:
If you plan to jump start a Spyder from an auto/truck DO NOT have the jumping vehicle's engine running.

I replaced my 5+ year old battery last week with a factory filled and activated Yuasa YTX24HL. Yes, the darn thing was very expensive from the local RideNow dealership. I had to use my Rugged Geek RG 1000 jump pack to get my Spyder restarted when the battery gave up the ghost during an errand stop on the way home from my morning workout at the gym. I knew the battery was going but carry the RG all the time and had never used it before. The RG has been a regular part of my on the road kit for better than two years and will continue to be so even though my battery is brand new.
Click to expand...
 
ludwig12of45 said:
Can I ask why not have the jumping vehice's engine running? I don't know much about this stuff.

When I had my dead battery my friend came by in his pickup and it was running....and I was able to start it that way.
Click to expand...

You are jumping from a high power source to a low power requirement ……. I know about the various regulators that SHOULD prevent any issues …. But, I would leave the auto / trk NOT running ….. good luck …. Mike :ohyea:
 
Mike explained it very succinctly and when one looks at the electronics we're dealing with on a Spyder, why risk it. Additionally on pg. 148 of the 2014 RT Operatpr's Guide it says, "3. Turn off the engine of the other vehicle and all electrical accessories." That's good enough for me.
 
Last edited:
Morturf said:
I've owned my 2015 F3s for 4.5 years now. I'm getting ready to take a long trip and wondered if I should replace the battery before I go. This is my first motorcycle battery experience. I have a lot of machinery with batteries and they always seem to last +/- 4 years. Given the spyder is not your average everyday off the shelf battery, should I replace it before I take off? Or trust that it will get me there and back?
I've added heated gear to my F3 for this trip as well could that also be a factor. Thanks for everybody's help!
Click to expand...

I change all my vehicle batteries every three years. If my battery goes out in far west Texas they will find my cold dead body with my cell phone clutched in my hand. Oh, did I mention, no cell service in that area.

:spyder2:
 
Mr. White, Funny you said this. 2 years ago I was down at Big Bend Park and was thinking about that very thing. I like the boonies so I guess I'm getting a new one!
 
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