Tyres and battery..... durability

[MOTOMYSZOR]

Battery in my FJ is 8 months old. But after 3-4 weeks without riding I am not able to start engine..... starter crank the engine too slowly.....
I checked current draw - 0.0035A 
Charging voltage: 14,5V
In Your opinion: I have sh... battery or FJ is so demanding on power?


And second question: on my tyres - PR4 GT after 6.000 miles I can see cupping. Those miles are mostly motorway miles or slow ride on twisty mountains roads. Both tyres are worn in less than 50%.
Some people reports that for them those tyres lasted for more than 15.000-20.000 km ....  Should I be worried?

[red]

Battery in my FJ is 8 months old. But after 3-4 weeks without riding I am not able to start engine..... starter crank the engine too slowly..... I checked current draw - 0.0035A   Charging voltage: 14,5V In Your opinion: I have sh... battery or FJ is so demanding on power?
And second question: on my tyres - PR4 GT after 6.000 miles I can see cupping. Those miles are mostly motorway miles or slow ride on twisty mountains roads. Both tyres are worn in less than 50%. Some people reports that for them those tyres lasted for more than 15.000-20.000 km ....  Should I be worried?

MOTOMYSZOR,

Tyre mileage can be a matter of tyre pressures.  I do not have PR4s, but if I were you, I would go and ask the high-miler tyre drivers about the pressures they keep in their tyres.  You may not be happy with the handling that their tyre pressures will give you, so then it will be a decision between tyre wear and the handling of the bike.  In all cases, for any tyres, I recommend a simple Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.  Add the gauge (display) to the cockpit area, screw on two new valve stem caps, and it's a done deal.  In the USA, such systems can cost ~US$75 from Amazon, or on-line, or check with the local bike shops.  Be sure the display is easy to read in sunlight; some are only visible in the shade.  Who can check all of their tyre pressures, just before entering the roadway each time?  You can.  Most TPMS monitor both the air pressure and internal temperature; they will sound an alarm and flash if a tyre goes out-of-limits (which you set for yourself) in any way.

Check the fluid levels in the battery.  You may need additional water, or maybe even a new battery.  The PO may not have used distilled water there, and chemical-laced tap water can ruin a battery too soon.  Check to see if the brake light comes on when the key is out, and the brake lever is pressed, both front and rear.  Check that the levers are not dirty or binding at the pivots if so, because a lever that does not move freely can hold the brake light ON when parked.  A brake light can drain a battery quickly, then.  I recommend a Battery Tender, Battery Minder, or other "smart" maintenance battery charger (not a "stupid" trickle charger), for all of the times when the bike is parked for a while, even if only overnight.  Any "smart" charger will have a de-sulfating cycle during operation.

[FJmonkey]

I get less cupping with max pressure in the front and a little less in the rear. The FJ is a heavy beast. I run Continental Motions so not the same tire for comparison. Some cupping cannot be avoided. For example, the front is either tracking or breaking. The direction of resistance to the road surface is always the same, no opposite forces to wear in the other direction. The rear gets the benefit of acceleration and braking.

With the battery I recommend a tender to keep the battery at full when sitting. led acid batteries do not do well with low charge over time. An AGM is better and Li even better over time between charges. But a tender has been my best battery friend. And making sure the system is not over charging. A sure killer is over voltage.

[red]

Battery in my FJ is 8 months old. But after 3-4 weeks without riding I am not able to start engine..... starter crank the engine too slowly.....   I checked current draw - 0.0035A  Charging voltage: 14,5V In Your opinion: I have sh... battery or FJ is so demanding on power?

MOTOMYSZOR,

One more thing to check: You can have good battery voltage and a good battery, and it will still act exactly like a weak battery if the battery terminals are corroded or dirty.  You want all clean, shiny metal at the terminals, bolted securely.  Any battery retailer can provide new battery bolts to you.  Auto parts stores will have small "wire toothbrushes" which are good for cleaning the terminal lugs.  The "smart" charger will include a fused cable with a two-pin SAE connector, which will be handy for heated clothing and USB power outlets, as well as the charger, without needing to access the battery.  Zip-tie the SAE connector to any convenient place on the bike frame.

[balky1]

Battery in my FJ is 8 months old. But after 3-4 weeks without riding I am not able to start engine..... starter crank the engine too slowly.....   I checked current draw - 0.0035A  Charging voltage: 14,5V In Your opinion: I have sh... battery or FJ is so demanding on power?

MOTOMYSZOR,

One more thing to check: You can have good battery voltage and a good battery, and it will still act exactly like a weak battery if the battery terminals are corroded or dirty.  You want all clean, shiny metal at the terminals, bolted securely.  Any battery retailer can provide new battery bolts to you.  Auto parts stores will have small "wire toothbrushes" which are good for cleaning the terminal lugs.  The "smart" charger will include a fused cable with a two-pin SAE connector, which will be handy for heated clothing and USB power outlets, as well as the charger, without needing to access the battery.  Zip-tie the SAE connector to any convenient place on the bike frame.

And I would add, negative pole connection is also important. Not only on the battery, on the frame/engine also.
If you have lead-acid one, check electrolyte level at least every 2-3k km. If you ride at temps higher than 25-30 °C, even more often.

[T Legg]

If you have a bad negative to frame connection you will measure voltage between the negative terminal and the frame when the key is on instead of reading zero like you should when you have a good connection.

[giantkiller]

I have replaced the voltage regulator on all the 86s that I own. I know over charging was an issue. Did Yamaha fix this in later years?  If you have to replace your battery. Look into an lithium battery. As long as you don't drain them down to zero. They last. I have yet to replace one. Have them in ATVs, my Fjs my chopper. You'll love the power. I have a big high compression motor in my chopper. Hard to start even with compression reliefs. With a conventional battery. Lithium battery cranks it over with out using reliefs.

[MOTOMYSZOR]

I think that I found battery problem. It is AGM "maintenance free" battery but I used some sharp tools and I opened it. It looks like acid level is low. So after Easter I will buy some "demoralized" water and I will refill cells.

[FJ_Hooligan]

You might want to research that some before you "top up" that AGM battery.

Since it's sealed from the factory, if the electrolyte is truly low then it was a defect from the factory or it has leaked out somehow.

If you overfill it I'm pretty sure it will explode at some point when charging.

[Tuned forks]

I could be incorrect but AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat.  I believe there is not supposed to be standing liquid in those batteries.

Joe

[aviationfred]

I have been using a Lithium battery for about 6 months now. I have read where there is concerns on cranking power in extreme cold. I ride year round and this past winter was no exception. I commute to work and often ride in 20°F temps. To have no issues with starting. I turn the ignition on for a few seconds before starting. I have been told the initial power draw of the lights and the delay before starting helps the battery provide a better start.

This is the battery That I have. http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AWPSBatE&cat=39

The labeling on my battery is different that what is in the RPM photo, but it is the same battery. The test button is a handy feature.

An added bonus is that there is about an 8lbs weight reduction over a regular lead acid or AGM battery.

For a charger, I went with the tried and true Battery Tender brand inexpensive trickle charger that will do both lead acid and lithium batteries.


Fred

[Pat Conlon]

14.9 volts maximum charge rate? 
hmmmm, that would be a problem with some FJ's with charging systems delivering more than 15 volts....have you done the VR mod Fred?

[balky1]

I have been using a Lithium battery for about 6 months now. I have read where there is concerns on cranking power in extreme cold. I ride year round and this past winter was no exception. I commute to work and often ride in 20°F temps. To have no issues with starting. I turn the ignition on for a few seconds before starting. I have been told the initial power draw of the lights and the delay before starting helps the battery provide a better start.

This is the battery That I have. http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AWPSBatE&cat=39

The labeling on my battery is different that what is in the RPM photo, but it is the same battery. The test button is a handy feature.

An added bonus is that there is about an 8lbs weight reduction over a regular lead acid or AGM battery.

For a charger, I went with the tried and true Battery Tender brand inexpensive trickle charger that will do both lead acid and lithium batteries.


Fred

Interesting, your battery is a 'Fire Power' brand. 
Sorry for some black humour Fred.

[aviationfred]

14.9 volts maximum charge rate? 
..have you done the VR mod Fred?

I have not done the VR mod. I do have a Volt meter installed with the warning light set at 15 volts.

I do trust the Speed Hut gauges too be accurate. I recently received my Iron Butt certificate from my ride last September. My odometer showed that I travelled 1044 miles and the Iron Butt Association certified my ride at 1046 miles. The Speed Hut GPS speedometer is spot on for mileage.

Fred

[giantkiller]

I have  lithium battery in my rapter 700. Been out on the ice @ -20f . No problems at all. That battery is probably 6 years old.