How long does a battery last?

[gsxbarmy]

I know we all have different stories of how we maintain batteries and how long they last but what are contributing factors? This from the Yuasa website makes interesting reading.

Many factors affect the life of a battery:
Climate: Colder climates tend to be hard on batteries from a starting standpoint, and for the fact that many people put their bikes away for the season when not using. Sometimes without charging properly. Hotter climates tend to discharge batteries quicker, and dry out batteries quicker. "Average" climates are the best for long battery life.

Usage: A battery that is used every day has the most chance of living a long life. Batteries that sit a lot, many times are neglected. This shortens overall life. Periodic charging is the best defense.

Application: How well is the battery charged in the vehicle? Some vehicles have better charging systems than others. Older bikes have worse charging systems than new ones. Are there a lot of extra accessories on your vehicle? Sometimes a battery has a hard time keeping up with additional electrical drains, thus wearing it out quicker.

Negative Factors:
Sulfation: A build up of crystals on the plates of a battery. This comes from not charging a battery properly. The more sulfation that builds up, the harder the battery is to charge, until finally it does not charge at all.
Water Loss: Can come from overcharging, or just simple evaporation over time. This only happens with conventional batteries. This does not happen with sealed AGM batteries. Once the plates of a battery are left open to the air, above the fluid level, they can corrode very quickly. Corrosion can cause an internal short, and very quickly destroy the battery. Keeping proper water levels maintained is very important.

Lack of Charging: As mentioned previously, lack of proper charging is the main reason that a battery will not last as long as it should. At the very minimum, a battery should be charged once a month if left unused.

Complete Drain: Have you ever left your key on, and totally killed the battery? If recovered in a short time period, the battery should charge back to 100%. But every time this happens, it is similar to the battery having a "heart attack", and shortening its overall life. Always turn your vehicle off with the keyed ignition switch, not the "kill switch".

Better Battery Choice:
AGM: Sealed AGM batteries typically last 3 to 5 years on average. 6 to 8 years is easily obtainable with proper maintenance. Typically sealed AGM batteries will give warning before completely dying. They will start slower, and require more charging. This is your clue to replace the battery. Typically they do not fail all of a sudden.

Conventional: Conventional "acid-filled" batteries have a harder life, for many of the reasons listed above. Conventional batteries typically only last 2 to 3 years on average. Although, 4 to 5 years is possible, in the best environments, and with excellent maintenance.

[grog]

a good article Barmy. btw, longest last lead/acid ive seen was 26 yrs in a Mercedes.

[Mick_J]

If I am not using a particular bike I put the battery on the optimate for a day every month, over winter I usually cycle through each bike with the optimate.  I have had 17 years out of a battery but have also had only 3 so I think there is also a bit of luck involved.

[Tony Nitrous]

I've had 6 years out of a Bandit battery and another 6 out of a B-Kings, I normally get a bit less. I'm too busy / lazy / stupid to keep moving my trickle charger around various bikes and have bikes that at various times don't get used.

[froudy]

My Bandit is on an Optimate all the time it's not being ridden. The last Yuasa battery lasted 13 years. It died the first winter I had it over in Wales with no power to run the Optimate.
The Yuasa in my GSX1400 lasted 7 years...This only goes on an Optimate over Christmas when I'm not commuting on it.

[Hooli]

The old Yuasa in my 14 did over 7 years with me & wasn't new when I got the bike. It never ever saw a charger either, just gave up the ghost over one winter.

[seth]

Both Our k6's and my k5 are still on the original batteries.
K6's both over 5
50,000 miles
K5 is just past 22,000 miles
Who knows showing they will last but seam ok so far .

[Speedy1959]

My bike is on its original battery.
Bike was registered March 2005 but built late 2004.

[T 24]

My Volvo S 60 2002 has original battery. Stamps on battery from year 2001...

[shanered6]

My Woodmizer sawmill has its original battery from 2004 and is as good as the day it was bought , but it ran everyday from 2004 till a year ago. Iwent out last weekend to start it after standing a year and took another battery and jump leads , I needn't of bothered it started like it had been going the day before.

[Jeykey]

Mine: GSX1400, first lasted 11 years, I consider great; on the second now. Vespa GT200, she loves batteries !! last around 2,5 years. 

[Batkwaka]

I bought my 1400 in Oct 2009 and the battery was replaced two weeks ago, well beyond my expectations. I have replaced it with the AGM battery.

[grog]

They dont last very long if a Motobatt. I found that out.

[DanGSX]

They dont last very long if a Motobatt. I found that out.

Hi all,

I'm about to change my 14's battery, not sure how long the current one has been on. Sometimes takes two attempts to start on the colder mornings.

I ordered one of these Motobatts (MBTX12U) last night but have been reading about the unreliability of them (I know, bit late now). Perhaps I should return it when delivered and instead go for a Yuasa?

I've only ever used Yuasa, so I know how good they are, it's just that I thought with the Motobatt being AGM, it would be more suitable for me since the bike is outside all the time in the cold.

[seth]

All 3 if our gsx1400's
2 x K6's
1 x K5
All still running on thier original batteries .
I'm not sure how much longer they'll last but when they need replaced I'll be fitting the original yusa batteries again .