Mine's 3 years old now. How long do they last? Should I replace it now before I get a 'no start/dead battery' situation?
Nick, 3 years mate sounds good to me. My OE Honda battery has had to be replaced within 12 months of purchase.
Mine is a similar age with 13k miles.It is starting to let me down if I don't charge it.Will buy another one this winter when she comes out for spring.So is 3 yrs a good life for such a small battery with that mileage?
Mines 3 years old and no issues other than it can't hold a charge for more than 2 weeks but it's been like that since it was 6 months old. And no I have no alarm. I would have thought if you start to have issues after a week or less than change it
Too soon to tell with my blade but battery on my 600RR was still going strong after 6 years when I sold it. If bike gonna be sitting for more than a week unused then always use an optimiser.
My mate claims he has NEVER had to replace a battery, including on his scrambler which he's had for nigh-on 10 years now! His routine is to connect the Optimate if the bikes are not used for a week... but he only ever leaves it connected for a day or so. When the weather gets cold, he brings the batteries inside, and periodically connects them to the Optimate. Sounds like a lot of effort to save the occasional £60 outlay!!!
My last Yuasa lasted 1 year on the blade, the previous 3 years on the CB1000R. Both bikes used daily on a longish commute. Both also optimated when appropriate. OEM battery is a chosen for the space available and not necessarily the CCA required. These batteries can be really sluggish turning over the motor. Spent 90 squids on a Lithium Ion unit and never looked back.
Original battery in my RR9. Done just shy of 4500 miles. Lays in the garage for weeks with nothing connected to it. Starts on the button everytime
I put in a lithium battery in the 09 Blade and its been great. Quite shocking how small and light it is. Also has double the CCA than stock so starts much easier.
My oem battery lasted 4 years before it gave up but that was my fault as I was away and didn't get anyone to connect to an optimate, have got a motobatt now and going good after 2 years but will get a lithium battery over the winter
My previous bike (CBR600F) was still on it's OE Honda battery when I sold it - after 9 years! Always fired up first time. And that's with a Datatool alarm fitted from new. I always use an Optimate tho...
It's not Lithium Ion like a mobile it's Lithium Prismatic. This is the one I put in my bike but a more well known brand is Shorei SSB 12V 220CCA LH5LBS High Performance Lithium Battery (YTX5L-BS, YTZ7-S, YTZ7-S-BS, GTZ7-S)
Lighter than the normal lead acid/gel batteries. Same technology as used in mobile phones, GoPro et al, and hybrid/electric cars. Downside is that they can explode if the internals are exposed to water which is why couriers like ParcelFarce won't carry them unless fitted into equipment, and even then you need a hazard label stuck on the package.
Just had quick look at tweeks site,£100 for optimate charger Think I'll be sticking with standard system,well at least until after I get an HM GP fitted
You can not use optimates etc on lithium batteries, the charge voltage must stay between something like 13-15v (IIRC). The maintenance/desulphuration phase can damage LI batteries. You can buy specialist chargers but these generally cost a bit more than conventional charger, but you can use normal charger as long the voltage is controlled. I've never needed to charge up the Lithium battery but to be honest most of my journeys are over 40mins.
