Bike wouldn't start in cold this morning...

[losbright1]

I ride my bike to work every day..it has been cold here and there, but not too bad. My bike is a 2014 with about 16K miles on it. Original battery. When it is in the 30s the battery turns the motor over slower, but starts reasonably. Well, this morning it was about 32 when I went out..had frost on the seat. THe motor turned over super slow and would not start. Tried a few times without luck. The readout on the odometer momentarily changed to something that read "vernee" or something like that. It disappeared so quickly that I Could not read it..but, it started with "V". Is there a problem, or is it just that the battery was affected by the cold and does not have enough cranking amps to handle the weather?
Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

C

 

[fishin1789]

Probably "voltage low" on the readout???? Invest in a battery tender and you will always have a full charge when you go to start it on cold days. Just my .02

 

[Spazz]

+1 on the tender...

When it gets down around 20-30 degrees here, and I don't have the tender on.... They both just turn over and over... not even a hiccup. When I have the tender on overnight, they fire right up every time.

Happened just last week on my RGS... put it on the tender for about 2-3 hours.. fired right up and still 28 degrees.

 

[danoday]

I think its reasonable to believe that cold temperatures will degrade a less than par battery, especially if the battery did not complete a charging cycle, like during short commutes. I have been through 3 batteries on my 2014 SGS, I'm convinced stock batteries are not the best on the market and when warranty expires I will replace with a better brand.

 

[hulkss]

Stock battery is lame. I replaced mine with a Yuasa GYZ Battery. Much better.

 

[losbright1]

I think its reasonable to believe that cold temperatures will degrade a less than par battery, especially if the battery did not complete a charging cycle, like during short commutes. I have been through 3 batteries on my 2014 SGS, I'm convinced stock batteries are not the best on the market and when warranty expires I will replace with a better brand.

What would constitute a "complete" charging cycle? My ride to work is not long, but I probably ride about 20 miles per day at least..It runs about 20 minutes each time it is started..about 4 times per day.
I know the stock battery is not going to be a good one, but I'd expect better than 16 months out of it. I live is SC, so it is not like I am in sub-zero temps here. KInda annoys me to have to replace it, because it is not "dead"- just cannot handle temps. When warm out, it cranks instantly...and has in the cold until today..
I think the battery tender may be the best solution..

 

[danoday]

What would constitute a "complete" charging cycle? My ride to work is not long, but I probably ride about 20 miles per day at least..It runs about 20 minutes each time it is started..about 4 times per day.
I know the stock battery is not going to be a good one, but I'd expect better than 16 months out of it. I live is SC, so it is not like I am in sub-zero temps here. KInda annoys me to have to replace it, because it is not "dead"- just cannot handle temps. When warm out, it cranks instantly...and has in the cold until today..
I think the battery tender may be the best solution..

Your bike's charging system needs to replenish the battery primarily after a start-up, while your charging system also provides power for your bikes accessories during operation. charging system voltage is determined by engine RPM, battery replenishment times may vary depending on actual battery voltage/amps present after start-up.

So, +2 on the tender and +1 on stock battery is lame

 

[Miklo]

I have a scorpion battery on my sporty and was very happy with that one. I believe it has the slowest discharge rate. No tender, fires right up in the cold even after for sitting for weeks. I will get one for the glide when the stock goes out. Starting in the cold is always rough. Keeping the bike in the garage helps for the cold days.

 

[JMeadows]

My son had the same problem with his 2014 Street Glide. He rides about 5 miles (10 minutes) to work. Hasn't had it on the highway for a ride since the end of August. He took it to the local Harley Dealer & the told him that the bike needs to at least 20 minutes after every start to get the battery charged, he also told him to plug in his Battery Tender. After he has been using the Battery Tender he hasn't had any more problems.

 

[Rhsra]

Definitely use a tender overnight especially if bike is stored in a non heated location during cold weather. No Battery performs well in 32 and lower temps. As for the charge system? On motorcycles the Rams have to be constant above 2k to get any benefit from the system. Not having an alternator a bike will not charge back up as a car would. My understanding from a Harley/RV mechanic is the bike will "replace" amps used to start over time.. At a slow pace.. 20-30 minutes usually replaces what you used. The starting condition of the battery determines this. I put the tender on mine in the middle of the week for a day or so and it keeps my system in top shape.. But them again 40 and lower is rare in Florida..
In any case a slow trickle charge is best.. Avoid high amp quick charges.. You will destroy the cells over time


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[losbright1]

.. But them again 40 and lower is rare in Florida..

Oh how I would love to get a little further south..Like, say, Antigua or thereabouts. Lol. I guess there is a lot less riding available in a small island community though. Lol. Maybe the Keys so I still have access to mainland mountains once in a while.

 

[flhrci]

Mine will start right to about 25 if cold soaked over night. I thought it was just the oil being to think. Not so much the battery.

She started this morning and it was around 27 at 0700. She shuddered a bit and ran better from there except for one or two nearly quitting hiccups. The shuderring only happens under 30 making me suspect oil thickness. Rarely ever ride it this way so I am not real concerned.

David

 

[Cornbread]

Well I recon I should consider myself lucky on the battery thing..... I still have the stock battery in mine after a year and half and 34K miles with no problems at all. Even though I have ran it completely dead 2 times because I forgot about putting it in "transport mode" between Oklahoma and West Virginia and visa versa. I even left it in ohio for winter last year and it wasn't started or on a bat tender for nearly 3 months........ I showed up in 21* weather and she just fired right off like it was 80 and been running all day!! I have no complaints at all on mine


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[Aviator5456]

Batteries operate by chemical reaction between the pos and neg terminals. In cold weather, this reaction occurs slower. Some estimates are the battery will lose 33% of its power if temp is below freezing and 50% if below zero. Most fully charged batteries will freeze at -76 degree F but a partially discharged battery will begin freezing at 32 degree F. One solution to this problem is to make certain batteries are warm just prior to use. Keeping the battery fully charged helps. I've had to replace a battery that froze in Minneapolis...it got down to -20 degree and wouldn't start my truck. If temps get close to freezing, bring them inside to prevent freezing or use a heating coil. They make a heating cable for water pipes that I've used before for my truck battery by wrapping it around the battery and keeping it plugged in. Not sure how this would work for a bike but its a thought....good luck on the winter rides and be safe...

 

[Rhsra]

A heating pad under the seat will help keep battery toasty.. Don't need much heat.. Just warm is all she needs


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[Bluebowtie]

My bike sat for a mouth. It warmed up enough to ride the other day. Backed it out of the garage it would turn over and hiccup. After several attempts I shut the radio off and it fired right up. Apparently are radios draw a lot of power.


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