Is my motorcycle battery hosed?

Asked by andrew (16562

) May 7th, 2010

Brand new battery from a few months ago. Yes, I left my accessories on for two days so my battery was completely dead. I couldn’t even hook it to my trickle charger. I was able to get a tiny bit of voltage off it from my voltmeter.

I hooked it into my car battery (while it was off) for n hour or so—enough to give it a charge so my 2A/6A trickle charger could charge it up. Once the trickle charger told me it was full, I tried it on my bike. It powered the headlight, but couldn’t turn over the engine.

I plugged it overnight again to the trickle charger, same thing.
I tried plugging it in for a few hours to my car battery, same thing.
I tried plugging it it for a few minutes to my car battery while the car was on, same thing.

So, is it hopeless? Do I have to go and buy another battery?

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5 Answers

Is the old battery under warranty? I would take it to the place you purchased it and have it tested and chances are they will give you credit toward the new battery if it is indeed dead.
From my experience motorcycle batteries do not have the same Lazarus qualities that car batteries have and do not rise from the dead.

Dog (25152

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@Dog I just purchased it two months ago, but I had to fill and charge it myself, and I have no idea where the receipt is.

andrew (16562

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it sounds like it needs new solution. Perhaps the place you bought it can help you with another solution package. To be sure though take it to them or a reputable automotive electrical shop and have them test the electrolytes.

prescottman2008 (780

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a bike battery these days are sealed no drain tube no adding any acid ,and yes you need a new one.

germanmannn (382

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Next time you buy a battery, go to a place that will give you free lifetime replacement. I payed $130 for the battery on my Honda CBR, and it was worth it. That bike ate a battery a year!

mrrich724 (8550

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