Battery Time????

[Utah Geezer]

I know that there are a lot of posts on batteries but my question is a bit different. My battery is nearly 3 years old and hasn't given me any trouble as of this writing. I always keep my Spyder in the garage on the tender when not being ridin. I have a few big trips coming up this summer the first one in a month. I sure don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere which is where I'm riding and have battery problems. So the question is, with my battery nearly 3 years old, what should I expect out of it before it goes bad and is it time to replace it and not risk the battery going bad on the road. Stock battery, 3 year, if it were a car I would start to expect it go bad anytime. I live in St. George Utah where we have extreme heat and my RTL has 15,000 miles on it. What do you think?

 

[ARtraveler]

There is no magic number. Anytime after three years is good. I just replaced the battery on my 2011. It sits on a Battery Tender Jr. during the hibernation season (here late Oct -Mar). Both :spyder2::ani29:'s started on the first try when awakened in early Apr this year.

The problem with batteries is that when they decide to go South, they do it without warning. You could be in the middle of a ride, stop for lunch, and oooooooooooooops, the :spyder: wont start.

We bought the 2011 new in July of 2012--so I got five years on ours. I did not want to press my luck this season, so spent the $129 or so for a new battery. :yes:

 

[Utah Geezer]

Type

What kind of battery did you go with and how tough is it to change. 2014 RTL.

There is no magic number. Anytime after three years is good. I just replaced the battery on my 2011. It sits on a Battery Tender Jr. during the hibernation season (here late Oct -Mar). Both :spyder2::ani29:'s started on the first try when awakened in early Apr this year.

The problem with batteries is that when they decide to go South, they do it without warning. You could be in the middle of a ride, stop for lunch, and oooooooooooooops, the :spyder: wont start.

We bought the 2011 new in July of 2012--so I got five years on ours. I did not want to press my luck this season, so spent the $129 or so for a new battery. :yes:

 

[Chupaca]

Tough one...

Mine is five years old been run down a couple of time but would not change it till it fails. I do carry an antigravity jumper pack so if it should fail it would not be a problem. So far the pack has helped several other bikers and a car or two but never had to use it myself....:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Let me ask you two questions:
Would you rather wait for it to fail while you're out on a ride? :dontknow:
How much is peace of mind worth to you? :dontknow:

I'm changing mine next week... :thumbup:

 

[cptjam]

Battery

3 years is a good run. If it gives you any trouble, replace it. If not, just watch it. Slow cranking, hard starting or any flickering... replace. Real easy to replace: two screws on the cover, one rubber strap, two terminals. Done! Call if you need help. Joe

 

[Bob Denman]

...Just make sure that the new battery gets a night on the charger, before getting nailed into place! nojoke

 

[Easy Rider]

Easy to replace ????

I've got the body panels all off of the left side for a different reason and can SEE the battery but it is still not fully exposed.
Maybe this varies by model ('11 RTs) ?? Even if it comes out the top, it looks like the seat is going to be in the way.

Anyhow......since the battery lays on it's side, it must be a sealed AGM type.
AGMs are known to last around 7 years with no extra attention (tender).
With a tender even more than that.

P.S. I don't like to use a tender ALL of the time because that will mask the point where the battery starts to get weak.
Having the charger plugged in overnight pretty much guarantees that the engine will fire right up the first time each day.......but it doesn't guarantee what will happen on the next start......which likely will NOT be in a convenient location.
Using the tender every night can sometimes even mask a fault in the charging system.

 

[jaherbst]

I would replace it after 3 years. We live it Tucson and the temps are extreme as they can be in St George.

I own multiple vehicles and some get only 2 years here in the heat. Batteries are cheap next to getting a

tow to the Dealer (if you can find one).

When we lived on Bainbridge Is. WA batteries would last in excess of 5 years. Not here, the extreme heat

kills them early.

Jack

 

[Bob Denman]

The model year makes all the difference in the World. nojoke
Prior to the 2013s: they hid the battery back behind on the left rear corner of the bike...
Finless did a great video about how to get to it, and replace it. :thumbup:
The new ones are much easier!

 

[Mr. White]

I replace my batteries every three years. I often ride in remote west Texas and don't need a problem 40 miles from nowhere. No cell service in some of those areas...... I don't want a problem anywhere with a battery. I change my oil and filter according to mileage, why not a battery? On a 2014 RT, the battery is in the frunk behind a panel. Easy to replace. Prior to 2014, a pain at best.

:spyder2:

 

[billybovine]

If it makes you feel better. Change it out. Put in another Yuasa. Decent quality at a reasonable price.

AGM battery like in the Spyder when treated properly will last 6 or 7 years. AGM batteries are more tolerant of abuse then common simple wet cell like in your car. If abused. Like often happens on powersports batteries. It may only last a year. Abuse is when the battery is allowed to run down often (deep cycle) or allow to sit for long periods of time undercharged.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BATTERY LIFE

There is no magic number. Anytime after three years is good. I just replaced the battery on my 2011. It sits on a Battery Tender Jr. during the hibernation season (here late Oct -Mar). Both :spyder2::ani29:'s started on the first try when awakened in early Apr this year.

The problem with batteries is that when they decide to go South, they do it without warning. You could be in the middle of a ride, stop for lunch, and oooooooooooooops, the :spyder: wont start.

We bought the 2011 new in July of 2012--so I got five years on ours. I did not want to press my luck this season, so spent the $129 or so for a new battery. :yes:

:agree::agree::agree: ..........IMHO, the key to a long lasting battery is #1.- if it was set-up properly when new, ....and #2. not allowed to get dis-charged during it's life. ..... My buddy has Batteries that live so long I find it hard to believe ( Gold Wing 9 yrs. ) ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Highwayman2013]

Easy to replace ????

I've got the body panels all off of the left side for a different reason and can SEE the battery but it is still not fully exposed.
Maybe this varies by model ('11 RTs) ?? Even if it comes out the top, it looks like the seat is going to be in the way.

Anyhow......since the battery lays on it's side, it must be a sealed AGM type.
AGMs are known to last around 7 years with no extra attention (tender).
With a tender even more than that.

P.S. I don't like to use a tender ALL of the time because that will mask the point where the battery starts to get weak.
Having the charger plugged in overnight pretty much guarantees that the engine will fire right up the first time each day.......but it doesn't guarantee what will happen on the next start......which likely will NOT be in a convenient location.
Using the tender every night can sometimes even mask a fault in the charging system.

2014 RT battery is in the frunk.

 

[SilverFox1]

My 2011 RTLtd has the original battery. Still test very good. Has been on a battery tender since day one. That's why I bought the tender. I carry a small battery pack everywhere I go. I carry the same little battery pack when I go fishing with my boat. When I go hunting with my quad. When I travel far and near with my truck or my car. That's what I bought it for. I've never used it on any of my vehicles but helped out others more than once. It will even boost a diesel pickup. I'll change my battery when it fails.

SilverFox

 

[Road-Kill]

My 2011 RTLtd has the original battery. Still test very good. Has been on a battery tender since day one. That's why I bought the tender. I carry a small battery pack everywhere I go. I carry the same little battery pack when I go fishing with my boat. When I go hunting with my quad. When I travel far and near with my truck or my car. That's what I bought it for. I've never used it on any of my vehicles but helped out others more than once. It will even boost a diesel pickup. I'll change my battery when it fails.

SilverFox

My thoughts exactly. Too many bikers ride their machines as is with no problem. I've met too many Spyder owners who replaced nothing unless told to by the owners manual without a problem. The battery pack thing is interesting though. Another forum thread asked who carries what tools in their ryde. The responses sounded like people carry their entire garage with them. In my time no tools would ever have helped me, only my cell, cash and the right person to call provided assistance. My thoughts.

 

[ARtraveler]

What kind of battery did you go with and how tough is it to change. 2014 RTL.

I went with the OEM battery purchased from my local dealer. They installed it for me while I was having the oil and filter change service.

I am sorry, but I am not one of the mechanical ones. :yes: