How to Maintain your Motorcycle Battery - J&P Cycles Tech Tip

[ThatDayumWood979]

I purchased a Used bike for my starter bike. I've not ridden the bike in a while since it's the cold season. I recently went out to the garage to give it a quickie to only to not have it fully turn over. I believe it's due to the battery. Question: If I can get it started how long should it run to have it recharge or should I just buy a new one?

[satellitetune]

Good job on your video I liked it very much!

[jpcycles2]

@satellitetune thanks for watching J&P Cycles.

[gwk4657]

Good job on your video I liked it very much!

[blackslay552]

it's sunday and no bike shop is open where i live, my bike won't start plase give me a hint, my killswitch is not on and when i try to start it it won't even make a clack clak noise liek it would normaly do when i try to start it, i keep it in my sheid and i left my ligths on for liek 20 mins, maby low batery? i left the choke on half way by accdent when i got off maby i flodded it? or caused a short curcet? any info would help thanks, so much if you can getback to me btw love the vids.

[jpcycles2]

@blackslay552 it sounds like your battery is dead, either you have a weak battery or something failing in your charging system.

[blackslay552]

@jpcycles2 thanks for replying, but i found out that the secondary shutoff switch where the kick stand is was sticking and messing up, after my nabohr checked it with a handheld machine he was able to find out that it was not working correctly, thanks tho.

[aznboyx]

I have an '01 Ducati 748 which takes about 12 hrs to reach green on the Tender JR, and after riding it just once, if I turn it off, it will NOT start back up. The whole system will turn on, but it refuses to ignite. This process repeats. I've heard that it could be the battery, but in other cases I've heard it could be the "starter relay" (alternator?), where there was just a lose cable. I'd love to hear your advice, since you guys are so knowledgeable! Thank you so much!!!

[aznboyx]

Can you use a battery tender to charge a new battery for the first time?

[jpcycles2]

@aznboyx - There isn't anything wrong with using a battery tender for your first charge. Battery Tender says this about their product : "The Battery Tender® Plus should be left on the new battery for a minimum of 24 hours on float, in addition to whatever amount of time it takes for the charger to get to the float stage."

[aznboyx]

@jpcycles2 I have a Battery Tender JR. And does it matter whether we use the positive/negative (black/red) clips to charge it, versus the connector plug? I ask because I no longer have the cable clips. Thank you so much for the tips!!!

[jpcycles2]

@aznboyx The Battery Tender Jr. will do the job just fine and you can use your connector. You should be able to monitor your charge status from the indicator light on the battery tender. Just follow the same guidelines as the The Battery Tender Plus: "left on the new battery for a minimum of 24 hours on float, in addition to whatever amount of time it takes for the charger to get to the float stage." Hope that helps!

[aznboyx]

Can you use a battery tender to charge a new battery for the first time?

[HapkidoScorpion305]

really charger battery first time 18 hours ???

[jpcycles2]

@HapkidoScorpion305 Most motorcycle batteries will take up to 18 hours for a full charge on a first time trickle charge. Always check any documentation that comes with your battery, however, this is what we recommend as a good starting point.

[gurcsik]

awesome. can you post a link to the charger or a part number for quick reference?

[jpcycles2]

@gurcsik the 1.5 amp charger recommended in the video is J&P part # 3500149

We've added links in the description - thanks for watching!

[hondamancl450]

this guy knows bikes and batterys thanks for all the tips dave from canton michigan.

[BEEPERHAWK]

i feel better , now i see y my batts die like every year or 2. i thought it was me. these pups are sensitive.

[studiotx]

Owesome video. Thank you.

[floydiangreen]

a hydrometer helps too.

[troyapple]

beautiful information! Thank you 4 posting!

[jpcycles2]

That is great information. We'll give that a try.

Thank you for posting, it's always good to get new information and techniques.

[MarvoMike]

Quote: The best batteries in the world will become discharged. When this happens, its all over for the battery.

Bull plop mate!!

I bought the Optimate-4 battery charger and recovered 2 batteries (out of 2) which were previously flat. Both run fine now, and I only need to put them on an overnight charge once every 3 or 4 weeks, even if I havent been riding the bike.

[stevus85]

Thanks for the information, I'm going to buy a trickle charger right now. Cheers from Iowa City!

[Jkirin]

Learning as I go along. Last August I purchased my first motorcycle - 1987 Kawasaki 305 Belt Drive. I kept the battery in storage over the winter with a 6 volt charge. Dumb. I remember having a ton of trouble getting the acid into the battery last year. It was connected with a tube on the side. Any tips on how to connect this properly?

[tobidelbruck]

I agree, good job on this video

[mikemikezz]

Very helpful and well explained.

[jp7464]

I'm 52 years old and have done mechanic work all my life and I just learned something new. The part about charging a new battery before using it, even tho they come pre charged or dry charged with enough power to crank and run. And by not charging it it will never work at 100%. I always assumed that the vehicle would finish charging the battery up from its new half charge. I guess this goes for all batteries, car and truck too. I'm glad I watched this. Thanks for posting it!!

[lullabud]

Great instructional vid, very helpful. My battery was working after having not ridden my bike for a few months, but then after leaving the power on for 5 minutes it died very suddenly and won't do a thing... Now I think I know why! Thanks for the tips!

[jpcycles2]

You are very welcome, and thank you for the compliment on editing.

[achriscity]

Thank you for posting. Great information and well edited