Use a battery tender. Battery lasted six years. I only changed it because I was going a road trip and wanted to be safe. I always tender bikes after using.

 

Bought one a few years ago from Battery Mart, had it in a couple of days. Needed a new one this year before a ride and went to Orielly Auto Parts and they had the same battery, part number matched too. Paid a couple of extra bucks for it but wanted it before a long ride.

 

Something to also consider, it is winter out, and if you still have 20 W 50 oil in it. This may cause slow start when cold.

 

With the engine running the volt gauge is reading the charging system and all system loads, its not reading the battery. When the engine is not running the volt gauge is reading the battery but the ignition must be on so its also reading the load from the lights. Put a full charge on the battery, let it set for a couple hours and then check with a multi meter, let it set over night and check again to see if it drops. Get it load tested. Cold weather does play a part in the slow cranking.

 

Most auto parts stores will load check your battery for free to help determine it's health.

On the other hand, many batteries fail due to a single cell shorting out due to deposits building up till they touch the bottom of the cell. Then it is all over, and you will get no warning.

Choice is to run it till it dies, or replace it when you feel uncomfortable.

Everybody wants to get the most life out of their batteries possible, but nobody wants it to go out on a major trip or inconvenient time.

 

Here are some nice high output high perf factory activated maint free agm batteries that last a long time and are good quality at great prices for quality lvl and power put cca wise.

I THINK STOCK OEM SPEC BATTERY IS 385CCA AND THE HIGHER OUTPUT BATTERIES I LISTED BELOW ARE IN THE 400cca,500CCA,600CCA RANGE .

SOME ARE BELOW $100 INC SHIPPING & THE REAL HIGH OUTPUT BATT'S ARE A BIT OVER $100 INC SHIPPING.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK PRICES I HAVE SEEN ON BATTERIES FOR OUR BIKES WHEN IT COMES TO REPLACEMENT HIGH OUTPUT HI PERF FACTORY ACTIVATED AGM BIKE BATTERIES.

Scott

1) http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Cra...L-Battery.html

2) http://www.tristatebattery.com/etx30...ery-p-982.html

THE NEXT BATTERIES ARE ON EBAY,SOMETIMES WHEN I PAST EBAY LINKS HERE THEY DON'T WORK SO I ALSO LISTED ITEM #'S TO SEARCH IN EBAY TO FIND THE BATTERIES IN CASE LINKS DONT WORK.

3) http://www.ebay.com/itm/ETX-30L-Powe...315552?vxp=mtr

ebay item 321599315552

4) http://www.ebay.com/itm/321596830525...84.m1436.l2649

ebay item # 321596830525

5) http://www.ebay.com/itm/281432489841...84.m1436.l2649

ebay item # 281432489841

6) http://www.ebay.com/itm/121429861963...84.m1436.l2649

ebay item # 121429861963

7) http://powersportbatteries.com/more-...nk-etx30l.html

 

So I went to the stealership today. Battery is fine. 14.5 is fine while runnning. 11.5 to 12 with ignition on. And 10 or higher when cranking it. He said even 8 would be fine. And added that cold weather will naturally make it turn over slower. Made a about 7 stops today. No issues . Keeping it on the tender .

 

This is the correct way to test the battery without rocket science.
Digital voltmeter required.

Measure standing voltage of battery after motorcycle has been sitting overnite. Should be 12.6 v or higher-if not replace battery. 12.8v is a 100% battery

If the standing voltage is good:
While monitoring the battery voltage start motorcycle watching the voltmeter when you strike the starter.
If voltage falls below 10v replace battery.

 

Used to be the old school method was 8 volts or above when cranking

With the new electronics, most want to see 10 volts as a reference voltage to operate properly and many won't work at less than 10, which means the vehicle won't start.