I think my battery's dying. Do I need to buy a charger?

[JonJ678]

This is a 2005 Honda CG125. I think it's intentional for the headlight to dim while trying the starter, but a bad sign that I have to switch the light off completely in order to get the bike to start. A multimeter across the terminals showed about 9V while pushing the button. So, replacement time I think.

The owners manual tells me it's 12V. Useful. It probably has a model number written on it so I'll go by that. The plan is to order one online and connect it when it arrives.

So - will the new battery turn up charged, flat, somewhere inbetween? I don't want to buy a battery charger but don't fancy changing the battery while it's running either.

Thank you

p.s. no kick start

 

[Dogbreath]

Standard flooded lead acid versions will come empty with a sealed pack of acid that you have to add to the battery. You are supposed to then leave it for 1/2 hour and then fully charge it. AGM and gel batteries are supplied charged.

I will say that a small battery charger is a very useful bit of kit. Aldi and Lidl often sell small chargers suitable for bike batteries for very reasonable prices.

 

[m4rkw7]

What's the voltage when the bike is idling, and when at higher revs?