Man of Honour
Still miss my old pointy SV650S, will give this a watch when I'm in the gym tomorrow
Biker's Cafe Chatroom
- Thread starter IC3
- Start date
Soldato
I still have mine, 2003, K3 is it? First ones that had fuel injection anyway.
Still almost good as new, a 50k mileage on it.
I really wanted to get a Yamaha xsr900, but I just can't justify it given how often I ride these days.
Associate
Hi,
Just had a question about the Motorcycle battery. I took the Blackbird out after about 12-13 days and it took 5-6 attempts to start it on the choke. Then rode for 5 mins to a local shop and it started fine.
Are these signs of battery on its way out or just the cold weather not allowing instant start? I won't be riding much in winter, maybe once every 2-3 weeks to keep it ticking. Not sure when the battery on it was replaced by the previous owner.
- LowEndTorque
Just had a question about the Motorcycle battery. I took the Blackbird out after about 12-13 days and it took 5-6 attempts to start it on the choke. Then rode for 5 mins to a local shop and it started fine.
Are these signs of battery on its way out or just the cold weather not allowing instant start? I won't be riding much in winter, maybe once every 2-3 weeks to keep it ticking. Not sure when the battery on it was replaced by the previous owner.
- LowEndTorque
My response to this is always the same - life's too short to fanny about with knackered batteries. How old is it? If it's getting on a bit and starting to show signs of weakness, replace. It could however also be the cold, dunno how @tom_e's was to start as he commuted in winter on it too iirc. If it's the first time just play it by ear and replace if necessary.
Man of Honour
Never had an issue with mine in the cold... Other than just before I gave in a stuck a new battery in it
Associate
Thank you mate! New ones are not stupid expensive anyway. As a proof of test I have switched the engine kill button ON after parking. Will test again next week and see how it goes. If I sense trouble then new battery it is. Looking at Yuasa YTX14-BS. It is uprated than the recommended YTX12. But other forums suggest it is better to go bigger and it fits without issues.
Not really, engine can die from front cylinder oil starvation.
There're are some mitigation tricks, but wheeling for too long is still not recommended.Overslept this morning and had a diary full of meetings so took the bike in. By the time I got to my desk I felt like my flesh was falling off my bones I was that cold, and then the burning sets in when you start warming up. By far the worst thing I've experienced in ages, will definitely need to up my gear game if I'm gonna do this more often.
@Hades how's your commuting going?
@Hades how's your commuting going?
Not very well so far. We are having building work done and the skip was delivered outside the door of where it's kept. So almost impossible to get out.
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Associate
The HD staff at Motorcycle Live were great too. Giving all the info on Stage remaps etc.
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Associate
Out of curiosity, do you ride daily/regularly mate. Asking as reading on Carb Bikes struggling to start in lower temperatures.Needed a bit of choke this morning but the Diversion remains staunch.
Yeah I commute probably 3 times a week.
I bought the Yammy recently as a winter bike and have had no issues so far, has started first time with a tiny bit of choke this week.
It's the first winter with me though so no real history.
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Associate
That makes sense. I am testing my Blackbird for the same. Have asked here too about it not starting quickly enough after 12-14 days. But then again I don't hold the starter button for more than 2-3 seconds. My other smaller bike in my home country has a kick start and button so that helps in colder temps. However it doesn't get as cold as UK there.
Soldato
Was this the Southampton one? Heard that one closed up this week.
No it was Plymouth - they also had a Yamaha dealership in Exeter and possibly Southampton so maybe part of the same group. Can't remember the details but they'd been at Plymouth for a long time.