Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: jscon2011 on February 12, 2015, 06:24:38 PM
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I just replaced my stock battery after owning a new concours14 for 20 months
I realize this is a very short battery life and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why it was so short.
I was getting a very slow turn over when I tried to start it and when it did start it would flash "low battery" and the Volts would be way down (around 11V). After about two minutes the volts would be high again, in the 13's. But as soon as I killed the engine the warning would flash again.
I took the bike and battery to autozone after riding it for 30 minutes and had them test it, they said the battery was bad and I replaced it. How do I avoid another $100 battery two years from now?
- I kept the bike in storage with the battery on a trickle charger this winter and the last.
- I installed an aftermarket stereo that used a very small amount of battery when the bike was not running.
Thanks!
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Are you using a trickle charger or a battery tender? Trickle chargers work well but batteries need to have charge/discharge cycles to get the maximum life out of them. Battery tenders artificially create that type of cycle to extend the batteries life. It is also possible that you battery was poorly made and was still in the warrantee period so the dealer should have replaced it for free. I must have gotten lucky because I'm still using the original battery from my 08 bike (bought Aug of 08) and while I know I'm on borrowed time at this point, it still starts her right up.
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Even though I'm gonna get ribbed for it- here's my advice: toss the trickle charger with the "made in china" voltage regulator in the garbage.
just my $.02 mat
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Are you using a trickle charger or a battery tender? Trickle chargers work well but batteries need to have charge/discharge cycles to get the maximum life out of them. Battery tenders artificially create that type of cycle to extend the batteries life. It is also possible that you battery was poorly made and was still in the warrantee period so the dealer should have replaced it for free. I must have gotten lucky because I'm still using the original battery from my 08 bike (bought Aug of 08) and while I know I'm on borrowed time at this point, it still starts her right up.
I am using a Schumacher MC-1 Trickle Charger 6 / 12V for Motorcycle Batteries. I didn't even think the battery would be covered - I should look into that and see what Kawasaki says... though I did call them and they were the ones who told me to go get it checked oddly enough.
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I wonder......stereo uses some juice at all times.....Not much, but enough to fool the charger into thinking the charge cycle is never complete?
I've used the battery Tender jr on my 08 c14. The bike was two years old when I got it, in 2010. No idea if its the original battery, but I've not replaced one.
The only time its not plugged in is when I'm riding it.
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I wonder......stereo uses some juice at all times.....Not much, but enough to fool the charger into thinking the charge cycle is never complete?
I've used the battery Tender jr on my 08 c14. The bike was two years old when I got it, in 2010. No idea if its the original battery, but I've not replaced one.
The only time its not plugged in is when I'm riding it.
Hmm... well, I also work on a tugboat so I'm gone for 14 days each month. The bike just sits for those 14, do you think perhaps I should put the battery on the trickle during those two weeks?
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Nope, put it on a Battery Tender Jr. Both my bikes sit for 21+ days at a time, for similar reasons, and they both are on tenders when Im not riding them.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423797328&sr=8-1&keywords=battery+tender+jr (http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423797328&sr=8-1&keywords=battery+tender+jr)
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I used to be a schumacher fan but recently threw two of them away
And bought battery tender jrs. The older shumacher was not keeping the maintence free batteries charged. I boight a new solid state and it ruined a new battery withen 6 weeks due to overcharging.
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before you owned the bike 20 months, that battery was around a lot longer.
when I buy new bikes I usually toss the battery that came with it fairly quickly.
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Nope, put it on a Battery Tender Jr.
+1 !
Battery Tender Jr. is great. Love mine
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=12396 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=12396)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2128 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2128)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=11636.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=11636.0)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7745 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=7745)
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Hmm... well, I also work on a tugboat so I'm gone for 14 days each month. The bike just sits for those 14, do you think perhaps I should put the battery on the trickle during those two weeks?
There is no downside to leaving the battery tender connected, so why wouldn't you? There is parasitic battery drain when the bike is not in use.
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How do I avoid another $100 battery two years from now?
You buy a $150 battery and maintain it every 2 weeks, or full time your choice, in the non-riding season.
Analysis is based on: $100 for a battery is darn cheap.
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I just replaced my stock battery after owning a new concours14 for 20 months
I realize this is a very short battery life and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why it was so short.
I was getting a very slow turn over when I tried to start it and when it did start it would flash "low battery" and the Volts would be way down (around 11V). After about two minutes the volts would be high again, in the 13's. But as soon as I killed the engine the warning would flash again.
I took the bike and battery to autozone after riding it for 30 minutes and had them test it, they said the battery was bad and I replaced it. How do I avoid another $100 battery two years from now?
- I kept the bike in storage with the battery on a trickle charger this winter and the last.
- I installed an aftermarket stereo that used a very small amount of battery when the bike was not running.
Thanks!
Where are you reading the voltage levels from, the dash? What are the levels with the replacement battery?
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I have NEVER used a battery tender/charger of any sort and my batteries have gone 3+ years. The first battery (stock) went 3.5 years and I replaced it because I was going across country. My current battery is still going strong after close to 5 years. I bought it from Murph when he was carrying them. I don't think he carries them now and I don't remember the brand name but it's the one with two + and two - terminals..and it's yellow. For some reason the terminals get loose on this bike and can cause charging issues (looks good from the dash voltage display). I tend to check them at every oil change.
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I guess that I'm pressing my luck then as I still have the original battery in my '08 C14 (purchased 5/09) and I've never had even a hint of an issue. I use a BT Jr when the bike sits for more than a couple of days unridden and while the bike takes it's long winters nap. I also remove the battery once a year and clean up the terminals and make sure everything is nice and tight when I reinstall it.
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you all have better luck than me, thats for sure! my car batteries don't even last as long as some of you are reporting ;D
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Steve, we have the Florida heat to deal with, and that is rough on the car batteries.
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Steve, we have the Florida heat to deal with, and that is rough on the car batteries.
+1
Yup, my high end batteries last a wee longer here than they do for me in Phoenix, AZ and much less than they lasted when i lived in the Blue Ridge MTNs for sure :D
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There is no downside to leaving the battery tender connected, so why wouldn't you? There is parasitic battery drain when the bike is not in use.
Well I live in an apartment and don't have a garage so when my bike is on the tender it has to be at a friends place that isn't close... Otherwise I would. But perhaps I'll take the battery out every two weeks and tend it that way
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Where are you reading the voltage levels from, the dash? What are the levels with the replacement battery?
Yes the dash. With the new battery it is reading 14.1 pretty much all the time (I unplug stereo when I turn bike off now)
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I have a 2009 with the original battery. I bought the bike new in July of 2010. I use the Battery Tender Jr since I travel frequently and the bike will sit during my time away. I also use the Tender during the Winter when it is not ridden as much.
A trickle charger is harder on the battery than a Battery Tender regardless of where it is made. There is a difference between a trickle charge and a float charge.
I started using a Battery Tender Jr when I had an RC51. The battery on it is very expensive, around $250, so I got tired of replacing it when it died prematurely due to extended periods of sitting while traveling.
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Battery Tenders are known to cook batteries when left connected for weeks. They're a very simple tricker charger, and old news by now. The best charger by far (that happens to be recommended by Kawasaki in the manual) is the Optimate4. What kills betteries is SULFATION. And those charges have a very effective automatic desulfation program, which significantly extends the life of any battery. I used to have Schumachers, BT+s, CTEKs, and I like this the best by far. And no modes to choose; everything is done automatically. Plus they have a special CanBUS program for BMW bikes. And they have the same SAE connections, so they worked perfectly with BT terminals. I'd trust this charger much more than a BT to be left connected all the time, but I always disconnect them when the light turns green.
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Battery Tenders are known to cook batteries when left connected for weeks. They're a very simple tricker charger, and old news by now. The best charger by far (that happens to be recommended by Kawasaki in the manual) is the Optimate4. What kills betteries is SULFATION. And those charges have a very effective automatic desulfation program, which significantly extends the life of any battery. I used to have Schumachers, BT+s, CTEKs, and I like this the best by far. And no modes to choose; everything is done automatically. Plus they have a special CanBUS program for BMW bikes. And they have the same SAE connections, so they worked perfectly with BT terminals. I'd trust this charger much more than a BT to be left connected all the time, but I always disconnect them when the light turns green.
I guess I'm really pressing my luck then cuz I've been using my BT Jr for 5 winters now with the OEM battery and the tender stays connected for ~two months straight over the winter.
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Always knew that you were on the edge..
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Batteries age and there no real evidence that sulfation feature works. Buy one, hope for th ebest, and see what happens.
How about pulling the fuse on the stereo when not in use?
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Or drop your bike off at my place for the "winter". I assure you, Ill put some miles on it for you ;D
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Battery Tenders are known to cook batteries when left connected for weeks. They're a very simple tricker charger, and old news by now. The best charger by far (that happens to be recommended by Kawasaki in the manual) is the Optimate4. What kills betteries is SULFATION. And those charges have a very effective automatic desulfation program, which significantly extends the life of any battery. I used to have Schumachers, BT+s, CTEKs, and I like this the best by far. And no modes to choose; everything is done automatically. Plus they have a special CanBUS program for BMW bikes. And they have the same SAE connections, so they worked perfectly with BT terminals. I'd trust this charger much more than a BT to be left connected all the time, but I always disconnect them when the light turns green.
I have had my battery in my other bike for 5+ years and it lives on my Battery Tender Jr. That battery still cranks like the day it was new.
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Battery Tenders are known to cook batteries when left connected for weeks. They're a very simple tricker charger, and old news by now. The best charger by far (that happens to be recommended by Kawasaki in the manual) is the Optimate4. What kills betteries is SULFATION. And those charges have a very effective automatic desulfation program, which significantly extends the life of any battery. I used to have Schumachers, BT+s, CTEKs, and I like this the best by far. And no modes to choose; everything is done automatically. Plus they have a special CanBUS program for BMW bikes. And they have the same SAE connections, so they worked perfectly with BT terminals. I'd trust this charger much more than a BT to be left connected all the time, but I always disconnect them when the light turns green.
The Battery Tender is not a simple trickle charger. Believe what you wish. Mine has been plugged in since 2010 and the battery is doing fine. My RC51 did well on it as well.
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Looks like I insulted somebody's child ;D. The Battery Tender Jr and + have been around unmodified for ages (although they have new models for newer kind of batteries). It's only a 3-cycle trickle charger, vs 8 for the more modern ones. And the sulfation process helps a lot returning a battery to maximum power, believe it or not. I still have 2 BT+s, plus many others. But mostly use the Optimate4 now. Guess change doesn't come easy for old farts, huh? Ha ha. And yes, I'm one too (in pretty good shape, and feel young at heart, but an old fart nonetheless). Let's see how many people get insulted by that now :). This is the same crap as oil, coolant, tires, gear, helmets, etc threads... in which to each his own. Was just trying to help those buying their first charger. Have a great weekend.
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I don't remember what charger I used on both my C10 and VoyagerXII, but it did boil out the water on both of those bike's batteries. I've been very leery of any charger since then and thankfully I haven't had to use any on the C14 but then the longest it sits is about a month during the winter.
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Insulted, I think not. I am merely expressing what has worked for me and my others seems to share the same positive results about the Batter Tenders. Reading through the past posts here, It seems that we are trying to help this person buy the correct product. Justt because you read it in a magazine that the Optima charger is the best, is simply one writers perspective.
One more thing I will say, and I am one that is usually the quiet one in this aspect. You are a new member, and your welcomed into the group. We respect you opinion based on knowledge and history. I have seen it before that a person with a know it all attitude, about every subject gets old with many, real quick.
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Looks like I insulted somebody's child ;D. The Battery Tender Jr and + have been around unmodified for ages (although they have new models for newer kind of batteries). It's only a 3-cycle trickle charger, vs 8 for the more modern ones. And the sulfation process helps a lot returning a battery to maximum power, believe it or not. I still have 2 BT+s, plus many others. But mostly use the Optimate4 now. Guess change doesn't come easy for old farts, huh? Ha ha. And yes, I'm one too (in pretty good shape, and feel young at heart, but an old fart nonetheless). Let's see how many people get insulted by that now :). This is the same crap as oil, coolant, tires, gear, helmets, etc threads... in which to each his own. Was just trying to help those buying their first charger. Have a great weekend.
Not insulted, just trying to point out incorrect information. The Battery Tender isn't a "simple trickle charger." That is all. That is not to say that there are not more advanced chargers out there today. That is also not to say that the Battery Tender is a battery charger that will "cook" a battery, it doesn't.
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I just bought a Battery Tender Lithium battery for my Ducati. It was $100 which is much less than a Shorai. I thought it was a good choice for the Ducati because the OEM battery spec is inadequate for the big twin in my opinion. Ducati seems to have underspeced to save weight. So far the BT Lithium is working great, has started on first try every time even in cold weather. I also bought a BT JR specifically made for the lithium battery despite the claims the Lithium holds a charge much longer than a lead acid battery. I plan to buy a BT litium for my KLX250 as well since it is a hard starter too..
As for my 2008 C14 I am the third battery (at 134,000 miles) It is a Motobatt and is working fine. The OEM battery did not actually fail, I replaced it, (needlessly) due to issues with my HID headlight which I thought may be battery related. The second battery was an inexpensive Skyrich which did not last long before starting became sluggish.
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http://www.batterytender.com/assets/img/static/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf (http://www.batterytender.com/assets/img/static/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf)
http://www.tecmate-int.com/ENG/pdf/TM14xDUAL-PL2-111012_EN.pdf (http://www.tecmate-int.com/ENG/pdf/TM14xDUAL-PL2-111012_EN.pdf)
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http://www.batterytender.com/assets/img/static/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf (http://www.batterytender.com/assets/img/static/FLOAT_MAINTENANCE.pdf)
http://www.tecmate-int.com/ENG/pdf/TM14xDUAL-PL2-111012_EN.pdf (http://www.tecmate-int.com/ENG/pdf/TM14xDUAL-PL2-111012_EN.pdf)
Good info. Thanks MOB
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I don't know what is what (trickle chargers, battery tenders, etc.) or if I should feel insulted or not (I do, just in case ;D) but I have my OEM battery, 60K miles and an Optimate3. Every winter I let the battery seat for a month on the bike, then take it out and leave it a couple of days on the Optimate. After a month or two, just a few days before starting the season, I plug the battery once more on the Optimate for a couple of days. After that is back in the bike.
So far, the bike has started the first time, every time. One day it won't, hopefully in my garage and not on a Saturday evening while trying to get to my hotel in Ukrania or something.
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I don't know what is what (trickle chargers, battery tenders, etc.) or if I should feel insulted or not (I do, just in case ;D) but I have my OEM battery, 60K miles and an Optimate3. Every winter I let the battery seat for a month on the bike, then take it out and leave it a couple of days on the Optimate. After a month or two, just a few days before starting the season, I plug the battery once more on the Optimate for a couple of days. After that is back in the bike.
http://www.optimate1.com/optimate-3 (http://www.optimate1.com/optimate-3)
The Optimate3 looks like a decent battery conditioner/charger/maintainer. Why take the battery off the bike? You should be able to just connect the Optimate3 anytime you like and for as long as you like.
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My '11 will turn three years old next month and still on original battery.
I don't use a battery tender.
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My '11 will turn three years old next month and still on original battery.
I don't use a battery tender.
My '11 battery died almost a year ago, but I accidentally let it discharge completely a few times, and batteries HATE that. Now I have a Tender Jr. so it won't happen again (at least I am pretty sure it won't).
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http://www.optimate1.com/optimate-3 (http://www.optimate1.com/optimate-3)
The Optimate3 looks like a decent battery conditioner/charger/maintainer. Why take the battery off the bike? You should be able to just connect the Optimate3 anytime you like and for as long as you like.
yeap, I could connect the Optimate to the bike without taking the battery out. The trick would be to get a 30 yards cord to the next socket ;D
It's just that my place is in a block of apartments with a common underground garage for about 100 cars (I own 2 spots) and there's no sockets on the walls in the garage itself. None. The reason is that those would be at everybody's reach and they couldn't meter them individually to whoever uses them. Or that's what I've been told.
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The trick would be to get a 30 yards cord to the next socket ;D
Yep, that could really pose an issue. Oh well.
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yeap, I could connect the Optimate to the bike without taking the battery out. The trick would be to get a 30 yards cord to the next socket ;D
It's just that my place is in a block of apartments with a common underground garage for about 100 cars (I own 2 spots) and there's no sockets on the walls in the garage itself. None. The reason is that those would be at everybody's reach and they couldn't meter them individually to whoever uses them. Or that's what I've been told.
I'm in the same boat here in Texas for the time being. But since I'm in Texas now I can ride most days and don't need to use a battery tender.
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For those with no power outlet... http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1163-Solar-Maintainer/dp/B004Q83TGO (http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1163-Solar-Maintainer/dp/B004Q83TGO)
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For those with no power outlet... http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1163-Solar-Maintainer/dp/B004Q83TGO (http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1163-Solar-Maintainer/dp/B004Q83TGO)
Yep, I thought about mentioning that, but just about anywhere there is non-private parking, that would be stolen immediately.
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.
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Or this. Long distance is the next best thing to being there
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Or this. Long distance is the next best thing to being there
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Martin said 30 yards, not 3000 yards.
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Tomato, tomatoe
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Tomato, tomatoe
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Anyway, it is an underground garage, so not much sun down there :-\
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Anyway, it is an underground garage, so not much sun down there :-\
LOL!
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It also takes far less practice to hit a target at 30 yards. The muzzle blast alone would serve the purpose if you missed. ;D
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You ought to see what one of those will do to a typical mud wall parapet on a building in Iraq.
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Yes, I should! We were using M-21's when I was in.
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My son was doing armourer work on some Barrett 50s for some tier one guys and went out several times with them as a ride along to test fire. Interesting pics and stories.
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I too was a Deltran Battery Tender Jr. fan until just recently when it let me down twice, maybe thrice. (if I may allowed to deviate from old macho weapons talk in a Battery thread without getting shot ::) )
I have 4 bikes on tenders, the 2010 C14 started giving me low battery warnings on a recent trip, I let that go and just replaced the battery thinking that a Battery Tender Jr couldn't make a battery last forever. Then a few weeks ago I tried to start my DR up (the Deltran Battery Tender Jr. showed a green steady light) and it barely cranked 3 slow revs before going to relay clicking. Checked all the connections and even tried jumping straight to the starter...barely a turn over. Ordered a new battery and it now spins like a top. Just last week my water buffalo Deltran Battery Tender Jr. is now showing red and the battery is down in the 11 volt range so another new battery is on order. These last two batteries were only 2 years old, so I'm planning of moving on to a desulfating charger which I had avoided earlier because it cost more than the battery it is supposed to save. I see where there is this one device (http://www.pulsetech.net//Assets/ProductSpecifications//100X004.PDF) that will hook up to 4 batteries from one maintainer and it automatically gives each battery 10 minutes at a time of exclusive service before it moves on to the next battery. This would help keep the cost down a bit...but is 10 minutes at a time every 30 minutes enough attention for desulfacting maintenence or should I bite the bullet and just get 4 of the full time charging desulphating chargers.
TecMate OptiMATE 4 vs Pulsetech Xtreme talk and comments encouraged please.
Firearms/explosives/other macho stuff talk :cannon: , not so much desired here (dare I to dream? :doh:).
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I too was a Deltran Battery Tender Jr. fan until just recently when it let me down twice, maybe thrice.
My first Battery Tender Jr. worked great for 3 years and then starting acting strangely 1 year ago- flashing lights that made no sense on a perfectly good battery. So I bought another to replace it and it is working OK over the last year. $20 isn't steep, but only lasting 3 years kinda sucks.
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I've been using the same BT Jr with my bike since 11/2009 with no issues. Purchased a full sized BT on 1/2015 to use with the other batteries on my vehicles (moving from one to another) with no issues as well.
I replaced the stock battery in my bike last year with a Motobatt. Not because I was having any issues with my battery but because that battery was more than 6 years old and I knew that I was pressing my luck.
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TecMate OptiMATE 4 vs Pulsetech Xtreme talk and comments encouraged please.
So no desulfating charger experts here with advice for me?
Maybe I should have asked about the best oil to use. :P
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Our batteries don't use oil.
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Our batteries don't use oil.
We could.... http://thermoil.com/ (http://thermoil.com/)
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Our batteries don't use oil.
;D
We could.... http://thermoil.com/ (http://thermoil.com/)
Well now I know why the battery companies invented sealed batteries. They couldn't stop us from seeing that video (irrefutable proof de-mister) so they made the oil product irrelevant. :)
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We could.... http://thermoil.com/ (http://thermoil.com/)
Is that anything like blinker fluid? http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22 (http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22)