Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech New battery croaked, why,why.why???

I replaced my stock battery with an AGM at the end of December last year. Everything was groovy until today, got three miles from home and stopped for gas and no joy the bike wouldn't turn over. Four months out of a new battery? C'mon! I ride the bike approx. 250 miles every week, so I haven't been keeping it on my charger. I run my auxillery driving lights all the time, also I have Kisan electronics that keep all my turn signals on dim as running lights. Do you think I could be drawing too much juice ? My first factory battery only lasted 6 months. What gives?

Put a meter on your battery when running and see what you have. (if the battery is stone dead you will not get a true reading so be sure the battery is charged up first) This is to make sure your alternator is putting out correct voltage to the battery also that the regulator is working.Should have around 14v.


It is possible the battery is junk too. I have posted in the past about buying batteries. It is best to buy a battery from a place that stores them empty and only adds acid once they sell one. As soon as acid is introduced to a battery it starts to deteriorate. If you bought one that has been sitting on a shelf for any length of time with acid in it you could get a brand new battery that is junk.

Make sure the battery cable connections are tight and clean. Sounds like a loose connection is a strong possibility.