Fresh FOB Batteries!

All Hail the Fob 

Finally had to replace mine about a month ago. 2012 bike so the batteries lasted quite a while for me.

 

Finally had to replace one about a year ago before, or during, a trip to W TN for my 2009.

Still have both original FOBs.  Very proud of myself for not losing one!   
The one I carry every day has been dropped, soaked in a downpour in multiple downpours, and washed.   

Mad Powahh, indeed!!    

My passive fob is always on my keychain.  I have had to use it a few times because I forgot the FOB in the house and didn't want to walk back in to get it.  Might as well just have a key bike if you only used the passive fob. 

I just replaced both of mine this spring, first time. The bike is an 09 leftover I purchased new in 2011. She's going in tomorrow for the dead TPMS sensor batteries. Specifically why I bought the ext warranty!

I gave up and put the fob in the compartment on the tank.  Kept getting to the shed to remember the fob was in the drawer in the kitchen. 

I just replaced both of mine this spring, first time. The bike is an 09 leftover I purchased new in 2011. She's going in tomorrow for the dead TPMS sensor batteries. Specifically why I bought the ext warranty!

You may want to strongly reconsider having them changed under warranty, the new type they use are potted and as far as I know can not be serviced (battery replaced)  They may be a better life unit but when they go to hell replacing them on your dime is pricey.  It cost me ten bucks and two or three hours of grunting to solder my new batteries into the original sensors and they work good as new now for the past year.  Plenty of info on the forum to replace the old batteries.

Ask them to save the old sensors for you. More than a few folks here would love to buy them from you. The dealer will have to keep them initially in order to get reimbursed from Kaw for the cost, but if you ask them nicely, they may save them for you instead of throwing them in the dumpster after their warranty audit.

Ask them to save the old sensors for you. More than a few folks here would love to buy them from you. The dealer will have to keep them initially in order to get reimbursed from Kaw for the cost, but if you ask them nicely, they may save them for you instead of throwing them in the dumpster after their warranty audit.

I was under the impression that the dealer had to actually send the parts back, no?

When I worked for American Honda, the DSM came out every month or 2 and did a warranty audit including parts and the hours of labor. After the audit was completed, we trashed the defective parts.

If you leave the fob within range of the bike when parked, it's going to eat the battery, since the system never goes to 'sleep'. I checked the battery on my 2015 bike, which I purchased the day it arrived, and it was quite low. Replaced it with a Panasonic, which is considered the best brand of such batteries due to having a hash-tag pattern on the '-' side, making better contact. We'll see how long it lasts when kept away from the bike. But will check it again in a year. Bought a lot of batteries, since they're used on many other gadgets, from heartrate monitor bands/watches, garage door openers, etc.

If you leave the fob within range of the bike when parked, it's going to eat the battery, since the system never goes to 'sleep'

No it doesn't.

If you leave the fob within range of the bike when parked, it's going to eat the battery, since the system never goes to 'sleep'.

I believe when the ignition is off, the bike only checks for the fob when you press down the ignition key.  So if the ignition is off and you are not pressing the key down, it shouldn't matter where the fob is (well, except for reasons of security).

I believe when the ignition is off, the bike only checks for the fob when you press down the ignition key. So if the ignition is off and you are not pressing the key down, it shouldn't matter where the fob is (well, except for reasons of security).

That makes absolute sense indeed. Not the same system used in cars with keyless ignition. Service manager told me that was the explanation for the low battery on my bike, but guess my chemo-ridden brain's common sense didn't kick in. Sorry about that. Besides, if that was the case, the bike's battery would also drain quicker (which happens on cars), and at least on my bike, that doesn't seem to be the case. I deactivated the blinking red LED (flashes for 24 hours), which doesn't draw hardly any juice (I have no use for it), and my battery quickly charges completely after a week or 2 sitting idle.

I deactivated the blinking red LED (flashes for 24 hours), which doesn't draw hardly any juice (I have no use for it)

It doesn't pull hardy any power, but it acts as an excellent "warning: alarm" deterrent to people who might otherwise mess with the bike.  So I think it is a great feature.