Motorcycle.com

veruvius · 06-29-2009, 06:40 PM

So it's been 3 months since I got my '02 Bandit... and I still haven't taken it for a ride.

But it's mostly been for extenuating circumstances. I'd upload pics, but I haven't been able to scan them it.

First, gear: I've gotten a Shoei RF-1000, a Revit Air jacket, and some kind of Revit gloves. It's all nice stuff, and I think it looks pretty cool (but who cares about that when motorcycling?

).

Problem: my battery is dead, and won't hold a charge. I know what kind of battery I need, but is it necessary to get an expensive one? The guys from the shop I got my bike from asked for $100, but I'm seeing various cheaper prices online. Any thoughts?

Next chance I get to ride will be in about 3 weeks. I'll put up an effusive update if I actually do ride.

pplassm · 06-29-2009, 07:26 PM

Get boots or shoes that cover your ankles. Lower extremity injurys are more frequent than you'd think.

Yep, I priced a battery for my DRZ400 at the dealership. Guy wanted $119 for a Yuasa OEM replacement.

I bought a $29 online special. That was 3+ years ago. Bike sits a lot, too. Never had to charge it.

Now it will fail this weekend, of course.

veruvius · 06-29-2009, 07:45 PM

My college roommate was out riding on a 2 lane road when some lady in an SUV in the right lane decided it was time to pull a u-turn. Naturally, my buddy was in the left lane. After he broad-sided the cager, he was able to run and get his bike out of traffic. After the adrenaline wore off, however, he realized he jacked up his ankle pretty badly. That was enough of warning to convince me. Any good, cheaper options you'd recommend?

Was the battery you bought a brand-name?

The_AirHawk · 06-29-2009, 09:18 PM

I've had BOTH Good and Bad luck with the Mal~Wart crapola batteries. I suggest at the very least getting a sealed glass-mat (i.e. "spillproof") battery no matter the brand or purveyor.

trenttheuncatchable · 06-30-2009, 06:55 AM

Find the least expensive Yuasa online, or go to Batteries Plus (you can check their stock online as well).

seruzawa · 06-30-2009, 07:11 AM

Autozone has motorcycle batteries.

pushrod · 06-30-2009, 07:43 AM

If the bike has been sitting that long without fuel stabilizer, you may be looking at carb trouble...

SmokeU · 06-30-2009, 07:52 AM

3 months without riding a new bike? DUDE?!?!?!??!

12er · 06-30-2009, 10:42 AM

Bump start, I recently paid the BMW tax at my local stealership for a spiffy exide Gel, real steal at $175 (well I felt the theft...). But I did so willingly as I really would like to keep my local shop running saving me 20 miles each way for service.

veruvius · 07-01-2009, 03:40 AM

I checked all the local shops, no one had the right battery. It was a gorgeous weekend, and tons of riders were out. I was so jealous!

I know I need a YTX12-BS maintenance free. Is it really worth paying the Yuasa premium (that's the brand the bike shop had, but I know it'll be cheaper online)? Also, if I bought a battery online, they wouldn't charge it up before sending it out, would they?

Pushrod: What should I look for on potential carb trouble?

06-29-2009, 06:40 PM	#1
veruvius Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 26	3 month update So it's been 3 months since I got my '02 Bandit... and I still haven't taken it for a ride. But it's mostly been for extenuating circumstances. I'd upload pics, but I haven't been able to scan them it. First, gear: I've gotten a Shoei RF-1000, a Revit Air jacket, and some kind of Revit gloves. It's all nice stuff, and I think it looks pretty cool (but who cares about that when motorcycling? ). Problem: my battery is dead, and won't hold a charge. I know what kind of battery I need, but is it necessary to get an expensive one? The guys from the shop I got my bike from asked for $100, but I'm seeing various cheaper prices online. Any thoughts? Next chance I get to ride will be in about 3 weeks. I'll put up an effusive update if I actually do ride.

06-29-2009, 07:26 PM	#2
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	Get boots or shoes that cover your ankles. Lower extremity injurys are more frequent than you'd think. Yep, I priced a battery for my DRZ400 at the dealership. Guy wanted $119 for a Yuasa OEM replacement. I bought a $29 online special. That was 3+ years ago. Bike sits a lot, too. Never had to charge it. Now it will fail this weekend, of course. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life. Last edited by pplassm : 06-30-2009 at 04:03 AM.

06-29-2009, 09:18 PM	#4
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	I've had BOTH Good and Bad luck with the Mal~Wart crapola batteries. I suggest at the very least getting a sealed glass-mat (i.e. "spillproof") battery no matter the brand or purveyor. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

06-30-2009, 07:11 AM	#6
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Autozone has motorcycle batteries. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

06-30-2009, 07:43 AM	#7
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	If the bike has been sitting that long without fuel stabilizer, you may be looking at carb trouble... __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

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06-29-2009, 07:45 PM	#3
veruvius Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 26	My college roommate was out riding on a 2 lane road when some lady in an SUV in the right lane decided it was time to pull a u-turn. Naturally, my buddy was in the left lane. After he broad-sided the cager, he was able to run and get his bike out of traffic. After the adrenaline wore off, however, he realized he jacked up his ankle pretty badly. That was enough of warning to convince me. Any good, cheaper options you'd recommend? Was the battery you bought a brand-name?

06-30-2009, 06:55 AM	#5
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 834	Find the least expensive Yuasa online, or go to Batteries Plus (you can check their stock online as well).

06-30-2009, 07:52 AM	#8
SmokeU Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: pet**...pet...pet** Posts: 1,865	3 months without riding a new bike? DUDE?!?!?!??!

06-30-2009, 10:42 AM	#9
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	Bump start, I recently paid the BMW tax at my local stealership for a spiffy exide Gel, real steal at $175 (well I felt the theft...). But I did so willingly as I really would like to keep my local shop running saving me 20 miles each way for service.

07-01-2009, 03:40 AM	#10
veruvius Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 26	I checked all the local shops, no one had the right battery. It was a gorgeous weekend, and tons of riders were out. I was so jealous! I know I need a YTX12-BS maintenance free. Is it really worth paying the Yuasa premium (that's the brand the bike shop had, but I know it'll be cheaper online)? Also, if I bought a battery online, they wouldn't charge it up before sending it out, would they? Pushrod: What should I look for on potential carb trouble?