My02 748r Battery Advice

Yuasa.... tried dozens and still end up back with Yuasa. The Li On are getting better and a bit cheaper but unless you're hell bent on saving a kilo or two, then the traditionals still offer the best options

 

I use Yuasa in my infrequently used cars and bikes and they usually cope well with infrequent use and last well.

 

Yuasa all the way, still running the original battery on both my 13 year old 748 and 8 year old 1098. Can't get a better recommendation than that, can you?

 

Richie, you may want to check that the charging system is working properly and check the condition of the connector from the alternator to the regulator (the one with 3 yellow wires behind the battery box), the pins inside the plug deteriorate and eventually will destroy the regulator by creating a high imbalanced ac supply load and lots of heat. Should be running 13.2 - 14.5v with the engine running, 13.6-14.2v on fast idle all measured across the battery posts. Also when you fit the new battery go for the same spec battery (yt12b-bs IIRC which is a sealed VRLA AGM battery) as the original one and after filling it put it on the charger overnight to properly condition it before fitting it. The Yuasa AGM batteries will easily last over 5 years if you treat them right and cost less than £50. Hugh's 13 years is impressive, I can only vouch for 7 years on mine but have seen many on here get fooled by claims on ebay for gel batteries (that are AGM) for £70 or more which last only a couple of years. Motobat is recommended often but they are the same spec as the VRLA AGM, heavily marketed (often wrongly) and much more expensive but don't seem to last as well. Like tyres your never know how good a battery is until they have worn out and most bike manufacturers fit Yuasa as OEM, there is a good reason why

 

Another thumbs up for Yuasa, I too infrequently use my bike and don't put the battery on charge that often. I had reason to crank the bike over a lot yesterday as it wouldn't start due to a fouled plug, it coped really well despite it's lack of use and did not go flat.

 

I have Motobat in all of my bikes now, i have tried Yuassa but they just dont like being left for long periods. I had a GPZ900r stood for about 8 months and typical Gpz it to about 15 minutes of turning over before it started, the motobat kept spinning it over.

 

You might have a problem with the connection with the ignition switch which is on the frame near the headstock. I had this after a complete rebuild and it was just the switch making bad contact. Everything was dead and the bike would do nothing. Are you getting the oil light coming on and neutral?

 

The headstock connection should be OK then although the ignition switch contact itself could be making no contact.

Have you checked the solenoid low current feed where the battery is to see if it is making good contact, it's a single wire attached from the loom to the solenoid. If not then the solenoid will not work, that can cause similar symptoms.

Your battery of course could be completely down and although have voltage it won't have enough amps to crank the motor. Do you have an alarm to drain the battery when it's standing.