Battery Woes

After my latest prang my bike was off the road for 3 weeks while estimates
were arranged and the 3rd parties insurance sent an engineer to have a nose.
After they agreed to the estimate and coughed up I'm finally back on the
road.

Today I was heading to my bike when I spotted a mate and got chatting. My
keys were in the ignition and it was on but the bike wasn't started - I
usually allow the bike to idle while I put on my helmet and gloves etc.

After about 10mins chatting I hit the starter button and nothing happened.
Obviously 10 minutes with the headlights on (I always ride with headlights
on) had drained the battery.

A quick push and it started up. After 30mins riding through north London
traffic I stopped at a petrol station and when I left it started first time.

I've never had any battery problems with this bike and I'm not fussed about
the cost of a replacement battery. Is it necessary or will the battery get
back into shape with regular riding (I'll be using it daily again from
Monday)?

I don't have access to a voltameter.

 

"Latest prang"? Did I miss one?

Hmm. If it only lasted 10 mins that's not so good. Er, did you turn
the headlights off and then try again??

Well, then be glad your alternator is in good shape ...

Go out and buy one if you're worried and don't care - it's £30, and 10
minutes work. Buy and optimate while you're there. Or buy an
optimate first and see what it says about the state of your battery.
Buy an optimate. Did I mention buy an optimate?

Don't know what a voltameter is. Have you got a multimeter?

 

go buy an optimate. You can either remove the battery, charge it and
reinstall it or attach the short connector lead to the battery and just
plug in the optimate as and when for a top up. Even I can manage to do
this so it must be simple.

 

This time of year certainly lets you know if your battery is good or
not.