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Flat battery

TomH65

TomH65

Active Member
If a bike battery is totally flat due to being stood over the winter, can the bike be started safely by hooking up a charged battery to the flat one then once started, unhook the charged battery and allow the alternator to charge up the one already in the bike?
Or is it best to remove the battery, charge it and replace it?
 
The first option sounds like it may put a lot of stress on the charging system and maybe cause a problem in that area. I would vote for a new battery.
 
The OP failed to mention how old the batter is. If 4-5 years old, I would toss it and replace with a quality AGM battery; simple, one and done.

However, if only a year or two old, pull the battery, take it to Advanced Auto or Auto Zone and have it load tested. If the load test shows the battery to be serviceable, put it on a charger (not a trickle charger) until fully charged and reinstall. By serviceable, I mean meeting the original performance specs for that battery; anything less, toss it. It will just fade away and likely leave the OP stranded somewhere. If the battery tests out OK, reinstall and keep the battery on a tender at all times after that and the OP might get another two years out of the battery.

It is not easy to bump start these vtwin motors, if there is any doubt about the integrity of the battery, replace it and avoid getting stranded somewhere. Get a tender and keep which ever battery used on a trickle charge at all times. A new battery kept on a tender will last five years under most circumstances.:s
 
Any thing new to report? If you junp the battery make sure the donor battery is hooked up clean and donor engine not running
 
TomH65 said:
If a bike battery is totally flat due to being stood over the winter, can the bike be started safely by hooking up a charged battery to the flat one then once started, unhook the charged battery and allow the alternator to charge up the one already in the bike?
Or is it best to remove the battery, charge it and replace it?
Click to expand...

The bike runs off the battery with the charging system there to keep the battery as charged as possible. Running on a mostly discharged battery will put a significant load on the charging system. Better to remove the battery from the bike and fully charge it, then load test it to make sure it is OK to use. If fully charged and a go on the load test, reinstall. Otherwise replace with new battery. Consider using a Battery Tender (Jr.) to keep battery fully charged when not in use.

Cheers,

TQ
 
Just for info:
When I tried to restart my bike after the winter, the battery went flat because I forgot to turn the fuel tap back on. I tendered a charged battery using leads, and the bike started straight away and after riding for about 10 miles, the flat battery was recharged and still holds its charge.
 
Never a good idea to jump start your bike from a vehicle. Not like starting another car or truck. If you absolutely have to do it make sure the vehicle you're jumping from is OFF. Otherwise, the current will fry your charging system. I get 5-6 yrs out of my batteries using a Battery Tender faithfully. I got 7 yrs outa one once. Some people will say change your battery every 2 yrs. The dealer: $140.00, Autozone with rewards and a coupon: $69.00... for the same battery a friend bought from the local indy for $155.00! Whaa?
 
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