Guzzi Battery

Since I've had the Breva it's has occassionally had trouble starting.
Today, I took it back to the shop and they're replacing the battery
and checking all the connections while they're at it.

I was thinking of investing in a battery saver/charger, but having
never used one, I know nothing about them.
Does anyone here use them and if so, what brand/model and what do you
think of them?

On another note my loaner bike is a Ducati GT1000 ..... that was fun,
but I don't think I would own one.
__


Cheers
The Happy Drunk
Breva 750

 

All you need is a low amperage electronic top up unit , 1 am or less
will do it , then fit a suitable plug to the battery for a quick release
any brand including cheap asian will do it

 

Batterys don't like being allowed to go flat, so a battery minder can
pay for itself pretty quickly.

Battery world sells one for less than $50 that senses the state of
charge and applies appropriate charging current from zero amps to 2
amps in 3 steps. It comes with a variety of connectors.

BMW has a sophisticated one that can be used to recharge a flat
battery, but it has a BMW price tag.

I bought an expensive one, but in hindsight I don't think the expense
was justified - the cheaper ones seem to be pretty effective in
practice.

Don't be tempted by el cheapo fixed current types though. Overcharging
can ruin a battery too.

YMMV

 

I have a Kawasaki ZX12R, and live in Cairns and at times my motor cycle sits
in the garage for up to six weeks without being used.

When I have a new battery in it, no problems, but after some time of these
periods of non use (about a year) I find that the starter motor cannot start
it when it is hot and it needs to cool down a bit before it will start
again. I figure that the battery is sulfating up during these periods of non
use, and then does not have the power to start the bike.

Had a new battery fitted around six months ago and had a CBE 350 ma battery
charger fitted to the bike.

It is a plug pack type charger and comes with a special plug on the DC
(Battery) side which half of which is permanently wired to the battery, so
once it is in the garage all I need you do is connect up the charger to this
special plug and connect the battery charger to the mains, two seconds work.

So far no problems and the bike is starting OK when hot.

Time will tell I guess.

 

From memory I think the charger cost around $73.00

 

Hi,

I had a battery die on me one winter and, when reading up on it I
found out that a trickle charger helps extend the life of the
battery. How much depends on how the battery gets used. For example
it can help avoid deep-cycling the battery.

Mine cost about $80 and it has a tamiya connector half way along the
wire. I have a choice of two ends. One set can be screwed to the
battery terminals and becomes a permanently attached plug on the side
of my motorcycle. The second lead, (which I also use to charge other
lead-acid batteries) ends with a pair of crocodile clips (handy for
charging a mate's bike). The charger's been powered on for several
months at a time over the last 3 years and I'm glad I bought it. I
would have done more bump starts without it.

 

If the battery was on the way out, it was on the way out. If you ride
the bike regularly, there's probably nothing to be gained by using a
battery saver. I think the real battery killer is when you ride the
bike infrequently and let it sit idle for weeks or months at a time. if
you ride it weekly, I doubt you'll see much fluctuation in the voltage
which would shorten its life noticably.

Nev..
'08 DL1000K8

 

I agree with that logic.
The reason I'm doing research and considering a battery saver is due
to some advice from a Guzzi forum. I was told that the small blocks
(750cc etc) don't provide a good charge below 4000rpm, which I thought
was a strange design feature, but having only owned the Breva for a
couple of weeks and having next to no experience with them ..... who
am I to argue.

I figure that even though I will be riding most days, 4000rpm is
around 100km/hr and if what I've been told is true then I will be
experiencing the problem again ..... Unless I find some other
information in the near future, some extra "insurance" can't hurt.

I personally think good charge would be occuring below 4000rpm......
__


Cheers
The Happy Drunk
Breva 750

 

In aus.motorcycles on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:34:15 +1000

Umm.. remember that bit about Guzzis love revs?

Change down now and then

No, can't hurt to have a charger, but just give it stick every few
days and it should be fine.

Zebee

 

Were these people refering to 70's model small blocks?
Poor charging at low revs was a problem with Ducati GT 750 and Sport models
of that era. 150 watt (optimistic claimed ) alternators were the culprit.
I don't know, but I suspect modern Guzzi's would have improved vastly in
this and many other areas.
Why not check the output with a voltmeter across the battery terminals
whilst reving the motor at a standstill?
Look to see at what RPM to voltmeter reads 13.5 volts or higher, should
never reach more than approx.14.5 though
I'd hope that even with the headlight on, probably manditory, it will be no
more than 2500 RPM.before the voltmeter reads 13.5

Capt. A. L.

 

No, the person making the comments was queried and he said the current
750's have the problem.
__


Cheers
The Happy Drunk
Breva 750

 

">>

Oh dear if this is indeed the case I think MG may be taking the retro theme
to extremes. I find it laughable that even with the guidance and technical
expertise of Aprila the electrics appear to be still 1973 std.

Ducati, Triumph and even HD have lifted their game in this area what gives
with Guzzi?

Still if the bike rows your boat a battery charger is a small price to pay,
I've put up with much more, and still do for some.

Capt. A. L.

 

My wife has a Toyota RAV4. Never a problem starting, battery is seven
years old. I got her a Jeep to replace it. No start on the RAV4 for
three days. Won't start, battery's fucked. $132.- C'est la vie.

Theo

 

Had a similar experience in my car a few years back. Didn't start the
car for a month while i was overseas, came home and it started first go.
Following day the battery it wouldn't even

Nev..
'08 DL1000K8

 

....turn the engine over. New battery required.

(Hate it when my news reader sends whie I'm still typing...)

Nev..
'08 DL1000K8