| Author | Message | ||
     Fullpower |
Greetings from Alaska. My XB12 was built during July 2003. It has the original AGM (absorbed glass matte) battery. trade number YTX-14bs. the bike now has 16400 miles. the manufacturer's rating for this battery is 200 CCA ( that is cold cranking amps, measured for 30 seconds at 0 degrees fahrenheit at a terminal voltage of 7.2 volts, an admittedly drastic test, but it is the industry standard for comparison) My bike was delivered new (3 miles) in october of 2003, at that time the battery was load tested at 335 CCA. heated grips were then installed, and the bike was ALWAYS operated with grip heat, and an electric vest connected, and operational. at a thousand miles (february 2003) a pair of PIAA auxiliary lights 55 watts each were mounted to the forks, and wired into hi beam circuit. these are used perhaps 50% duty cycle. in february of 2005 the (original) battery was load tested at 326 CCA, still better than 150% of rated capacity. today (october 2005) i have had the bike for 2 years, the battery is 27 months old the battery load test shows 313 CCA, still well over 150% of rated capacity, but showing a slow but distinct downward trend. The original (AGM) battery that came with my 1998 sportster ( build date july 1997) had similar performance degradation curve, and after 5 years of nearly continuous service in Alaska, I had a bad crash, in which i managed to bend the sportster frame carelessly around the back end of a stopped ford escort. the BMW rider who helped helped scrape me off the pavement, and oversaw the loading of my crippled bike was rewarded with my old sportster battery, which continued in service with various BMW's for 2 more years. 3rd data set involves wifes first bike, 2000 sportster. parked outdoors in unheated shelter for entire 6 month "winter season" always started right up in spring, no charging neccesary. sportster has been exchanged for ducati monster, but is still in daily use with OEM battery. My long winded point here is that these modern AGM motorcycle batteries are pretty damn good stuff. Their performance can be checked and monitored over time, one can track their decay.The quality equipment for a proper load test is rather expensive, and not likely part of the average motorcycle owners kit, but there is likely a small auto electric rebuilder in your area that will cheerfully load test your battery. I offer this service free of charge, if you are anywhere near Homer, Alaska, stop in at Full Power Starter and Alternator Repair Service and say hello. Enjoy the ride, Dean. Enjoy the ride. Dean. |
