Have I got a battery problem?

Discussion in 'Speed Triple' started by Steve Ace 4p, Oct 14, 2016.

  1. Steve Ace 4p

    Steve Ace 4p New Member

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    I have had my 2011 Speed Triple 1050 for about a month and ride it a couple of times a week. I was out on Sunday and after riding for about an hour I turned it if for a minute but then it would not start again. When holding start button the engine would turn twice then pause then turn twice again and so on. Called RAC out who jump started me and I was away. When I got home I put the bike on charge until today.

    I got the multimeter out today and here are the readings I got.

    Ignition off 13.3
    Ignition on 12.01
    Engine running idle 14.09
    Engine at 4000 rpm 14.09
    Stop engine ignition on 12.12
    After 45 minute ride ignition off 13.14
    Ignition on 12.2
    On idle 14.1

    I have a very basic understanding of the bike charging system and to me the figures look good.

    What does everyone else think?
     
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  2. R_1000

    R_1000 Elite Member

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    I had the same issues 2 weeks back. My thoughts were the previous owner could have just simply parked/stored the bike for a longer period. I checked to ensure the connections are all good and all seemed ok. I think once the cells in the battery starts depleting then charge is only temporary. So I ended up replacing my battery and it's been trouble free since then. Wait to hear from someone more knowledgeable before investing in a new battery.
     
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  3. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

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    I would say the weak link is the battery. The charging circuit looks healthy enough, but the battery should be a minimum of 12.6v imo even with the ignition on and engine off.
     
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  4. om15

    om15 Active Member

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    I had the same last year, convinced myself that I needed a new battery, put the Optimiser on over night and problem went away.
    I have had batteries for 5 plus years and the have worked fine, and on the other hand they can go in a couple of years, have you any idea how old yours is? if over four years you may need to shell out for a replacement.
     
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  5. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

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    For what a new Motobatt costs i would start with that :)
     
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  6. RROB

    RROB Active Member

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    Battery issues difficult to pin down as they can give all the right signs when showing some charge...
    would be best bet changing (cheapest solution) initially...
     
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  7. R_1000

    R_1000 Elite Member

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    I picked up Motobaht from squaredeals for a decent price . As others said I guess you are better off investing on a new battery
     
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  8. Steve Ace 4p

    Steve Ace 4p New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I don't know how old my battery is, but I think it is probably the original one.

    Does anyone have a link to the correct Motobatt for this bike?
     
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  9. old git

    old git Well-Known Member

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    Unless I'm using bikes regularly I keep them hooked up to trickle chargers when not in use. My 2009 FJR1300 is still on the original battery after nearly 50,000 miles and the standard battery isn't thought of as particularly long lived. If there's any doubt I'd change the battery.
     
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  10. Steve Ace 4p

    Steve Ace 4p New Member

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    I took the bike back to the dealer today. It was about 1 hour away and once there bike would not start again. They fitted a new battery for me, free of charge.

    Got home turned bike off and it would restart again so all good now. I think I will leave it on charge from now on if that won't cause a problem?
     
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  11. Wasp

    Wasp Well-Known Member

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    The thing with batteries is they can give the readings you want/need when not under load. But it really proves nothing.

    Heavy duty discharge testers can help. These draw a large current from the battery and give a better indication of its true state, and how it behaves under load.

    I'm hooked up to a tender all the time.

    Atb

    Bob
     
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  12. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

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    Dont do what I did and buy a cheap car battery charger, and charge it too quick, fried it. expensive lesson, optimate now though.
     
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  13. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse, think it's time for his medications.
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    Just seen this thread. The clue here was the readout you gave, the 12.1 with ignition on is a tad low as that is with no load. You are lucky the sprag clutch is still ok tho.
    glad the battery cured the problem.
    Have to say I am not sure about the lidl battery charger,not coz of the price etc, but because it is a car charger and may be too powerful. optimate or similar is the way to go here. Just my opinion,I am sure others may disagree
     
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  14. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

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    The Lidl charger that Eric got for me had multiple programs, including differentiating between car and bike batteries, for the issue you spoke of.
     
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  15. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

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    I have an Oxford trickle charger doing nothing in my garage at the moment, I used to have two bikes so bought one for each but as I have no plans, or room to have more than one bike, it's not in use. You can have it for the cost of the postage. Drop me a pm if you're interested.
     
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  16. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

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    Yorkshireman.... you do know you're selling it for nothing not buying it for nothing?? Maybe he's just moved up there recently!:eek::D
    Very decent of you!!
     
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  17. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

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    I've been meaning to put on the bay every time I go into the cave, id just prefer it went to a deserving home.:)
     
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  18. Steve Ace 4p

    Steve Ace 4p New Member

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    That is very kind of you. But I already have an Oxford Oximiser charger. It is an old one but still works fine.
     
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  19. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

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    No worries, anyone else interested? Same offer applies.
     
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