V85 Battery

[Cam3512]

I’ll have my ‘20 for 7 years in July, so the battery is at LEAST 7 years old already.  Tested “good” at Hamlin’s yesterday.  Well cared for, and on a Tender.   What have you guys gotten out of your OEM Yuasa?  I suspect I’m getting close. 

[davethewelder]

In Florida you'd be on your third. Seems like 3 years and they die.

[Kev m]

I don't think the battery on my 2018 Carbon Dark was properly prepped by the dealer and it only lasted 2 years.

My records show that my current fleet received batteries:

* Duc - 4/2019
* V7 Stone - 4/2020
* V7 Carbon - 4/2020

Technically we were told the Duc battery failed a load test about 16 months ago, but we rotate a battery tender and it's still working. But I should probably replace it soon.

[JHBettsSr]

I’ll have my ‘20 for 7 years in July, so the battery is at LEAST 7 years old already.  Tested “good” at Hamlin’s yesterday.  Well cared for, and on a Tender.   What have you guys gotten out of your OEM Yuasa?  I suspect I’m getting close.

I use Yuasa AGM's on all my bikes. They usually last 3 - 5 years for me.

[Guzzidad]

   I just replaced the original battery on my recently purchased 2017 Bobber.

[Huzo]

I bought my V85 from the first batch into Australia and the battery is still very strong.
That was in 2020.

[azccj]

My 2022 V85's original battery lasted about 2 years. It died while I was out in the desert more than 100 miles from home. Luckily, I always carry one of those small lithium jump starter battery packs and was able to get it started and make it home.

[Cam3512]

Thanks guys.  Looks like mine is on borrowed time.

[Moparnut72]

I think since MG's aren't the fastest selling brands many of them sit on dealer's floors with no attention. They get run down and then charged just before delivery.  When I bought my T120, not one of Triumph's best sellers. The demo I rode was quite good but on the way home on my new one my first thought was it steers awfully heavily. When I got home and went over it the tires were at about 20 lbs. So much for setup and prep. A semi discharged battery and left that way for some time will damage it permanently.
kk

[guzziart]

Fwiw, I get 8-10 years out of Yuasa's & Odyssey's.  They're all kept on Battery Tenders during off season.  I'm running Motobatt (yellow) in the ct70 & cl350, they're somewhere between 4-6 years old so i don't really know what their longevity will be.  My v85 has a Yuasa but I got the bike used and don't know if the battery was properly activated so I guess I'll find out...eventually.  IMO, any vehicle battery that lasts 5-7 years, with minimal care (clean, tight terminal connections & mounting, no great parasitic load, etc.) provided good service.  However none of them like heat & vibration too much. 

[Perazzimx14]

While its hard to say how long any will battery will last at 7 years its certainly got less years of service than more. Downside is you can buy a brand new battery and it can fail in short order or last a decade. You'll never know how long it lasts until the day you replace it. I will say if I were running a 7 year old battery I would also be carrying a mini jump pack as a back up.

[kingoffleece]

On Jim's (Hamlin) recommendation 7 years ago I put an Odessey in my new to me Jackal.  Just replaced it just because.  Where I live one can be a LONG LONG away from anything including cell service.  Replaced with another.  I've also had good luck with AGM from YUASA.
Remember, if you have an Odessey battery plenty of "tenders" are not ideal.  Very common output for many brands is 14.4 and the Odyssey requires 14.7v.  After a rather long talk with the tech dept there they mentioned that 14.4 will work but not well enough.  Expect shorter product life.  14.7 is MUCH preferred and recommended for max performance.  Reading between the line plenty of motorcycles don't offer 14.7v during an outing so it's even more important to connect to the proper voltage upon return, or so they told me.  I figured they made it-they should know.

[Cam3512]

Will be having Jim send me a replacement this week….

[izzuG]

My 2021 V85 is still on the OEM battery. Never had any starting issue, and it load tested good 2 weeks ago.
But...I've had to reset the clock twice this spring, not sure if that is battery related? I'll be replacing the battery this week, hopefully that cures the clock issue.

[Perazzimx14]

My 2021 V85 is still on the OEM battery. Never had any starting issue, and it load tested good 2 weeks ago.
But...I've had to reset the clock twice this spring, not sure if that is battery related? I'll be replacing the battery this week, hopefully that cures the clock issue.

If you have a Batteries Plus local to you look at Duracell AGM batteries. They are of good quality, cost effective especially if you use one of the omnipresent 10 or 20% off coupons floating around the internet. The best thing is the Duracell has a 24 month full (not prorated) replacement warranty. With somewhere around 800 locations in the lower 50 you'll stand a good chance of being close to one of the bricks and mortar stores if you ever need help.

[Bulldog9]

I get 5-7 years out of an AGM YUASA. The GRiSO tends to eat batteries, usually get 4.  I have a monster Panasonic AGM in the Convert that is going on 9 years. Holds a charge well, and quickly tops off when I attach the tender (monthly), but I'm very happy with YUASA for the most part.

1200 Sport got 7-8 years
Stornello got 6 years
GRiSO got 4 years

I don't leave the tender on full time, of a bike is sitting I will cycle it on once a month for a week then move to the next vehicle. I'm just glad the RV has built in solar charger and tender, I'm at overload on trying to keep up.

[Cam3512]

Yeah, my monster batteries in the vintage big blocks last 8-10 years easy.  They’re just day trippers.  The V85 is my “go far” bike.  I keep them all on tenders with a timer -  6 hours a day.  Works great for me.

[ridingron]

In Florida you'd be on your third. Seems like 3 years and they die.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe it's the ocean/gulf breezes. Mine last 5-7 years. I had one that lasted 9 years. When I need a battery I hit the road looking. The first auto parts store, Walmart or battery store I find with one in stock, gets my money. I very seldom use a tender.

[guzziboy66]

Yeah, my monster batteries in the vintage big blocks last 8-10 years easy.  They’re just day trippers.  The V85 is my “go far” bike.  I keep them all on tenders with a timer -  6 hours a day.  Works great for me.

I never thought of using a timer.  Good idea.  I plug them in once a week in the evening and then unplug them in the morning - but sometimes I forget either the plugging in or the unplugging.

[guzziart]

I never thought of using a timer.  Good idea.  I plug them in once a week in the evening and then unplug them in the morning - but sometimes I forget either the plugging in or the unplugging.

Timers work especially well with batt powered hand tools (trimmers, drills, etc.), set for an hour a week and forget.