Sealed Battery Life

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Does anyone know how long these newfangled sealed batteries Last?
When I bought my Bandit, it came with a Yuasa sealed unit. Since the bike was less than 3 years old, I assumed it was stock. Well here it is in the winter of 2004-5, (6+ yrs),  and it still seems to work/charge OK.

The last bike I had used standard, (add distilled water), batteries which would last three years max.
I am now wundrin if this battery is plotting to leave me stranded somewhere, trying to fabricate a kickstarter out of coathanger.

Mike  

[chevsuz12]

I have a '99 B12 original battery.  I have never worried about being stranded as it shouldn't be too hard to push start!

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Re: Should not be too hard to push start.

D'you wear a road suit with armor?
A younger man could probably do it. I doubt I could do a bump start and not do something embarassssing.

(been down once with this bike... though slightly different problem... potholes and sand in a C grade gas station.)  :oops:  :oops:  :oops:

Mike

[Red01]

The one in my '01 is still doin' fine.

[chupacabra]

Mine lasted 8 years, then I got rear ended at a stop light and broke my wrist and didn't start my bike for about 6 mounths. Make a long story short my  battery was to weak to start the bike. A friend helped jump with his truck and I think he hooked cables wrong and shot the thing. Then connected the right way and started right up but wouldn't hold a charge. Next time I'll just check the cables first.

[ray nielsen]

The Yuasa GRT sealed batteries should last for 5-7 years.  My 89 Pacific Coast had its original battery when sold in 1996.

My Kawasaki W650 has its original battery for four years now with no problems.  My Bandit is only two years old and id doing fine.

[terrebandit]

I got a 2000 model B12 and my battery is starting to get a little "iffy".  If I don't keep the trickle charger on it and let it sit for a day or two she will sound a little weak on a cold start.  I am the second owner of this bike and I think it had some down time with the previous owner.  Not me!

Dave

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Reply to:
terrebandit
TURBO TYPER!

Your weak battery may well be caused by your previous owners "downtime". The dealer here warned me to top up the battery regularly with a charger in winter, (6 weeks -2 mos). He said the gel? or sealed batteries are damaged if left too long without charging... much more so than the old types... though these still would sulfate if left dead for very long. On the transparent ones, you could see the white lead sulfate bridging the plates... much of this and you had a doorstop.