So today I rode the bike to work because I'm stubborn and i want to ride it as much as i can even if it's in the 30's. I keep my bike in the garage but it still gets cold in there. Starts up fine from being in the garage all night but 3 hours in the cold and it won't start, then the neutral will dim, its as if the battery or connections are bad or exposed? I had to jump it and even that took a good 5 minutes to get it going. Anybody else go through the same thing or is it just simply an old battery?

 

If you're using the choke in the cold, it should start instantly. But if the battery doesn't give out the cranking amps it should, then it won't start over quickly, or at all.

My battery is definately bad as of today. It's on the trickle charger all night and it still needs a jump to start the bike. If I idle the bike @ 2k rpm to charge it, cut the ignition, and then try to start it again, the lights dim and that's it, the starter can't even power over.

The battery is"dead" when it's being charged and then as soon as it's let go of the external charger, or the charging sytem of the bike, it can't start up the bike on its own.

 

NOt sure if you installed the current battery or not, but it may be caused b/c the original installer didn't charge the battery before it's first use also. There is a sticky about battery life, etc. If you haven't done so, take a look. Lastly, it could be that you have a cheap battery that is not rated for a high CCA (Cold Cranking Amp) and you just need an upgrade. Mine stays in the garage all day (i work nights) and out in the cold all night (40's now) and it start up no problem.

 

Do you know where i can get a CCA rated battery?

 

All batteries have a CCA rating. Depending on what your particular motorcycle requires is how you determine what battery you need. I'm not familiar with how many CCA's are required for any one motorcycle but, generally, if you buy a battery that is recommeded for your bike it will fall within the minimum ratings required. Just like buying premium brake pads, you can buy a battery with greater CCA's than what's required for your bike which in turn will allow the bike to crank longer and stronger than a lower rated battery would.

Just take your battery to Batteries Etc, or something similar and have them test / look for the right battery for you.

 

If you have an f3 you need a battery within the 'group 9' size.

this includes:

-Champion 9BS
-Yuasa ytx9-bs
-Energizer 02420400
-GS (JSB) GTX9-BS
-GS (ZYI) GTX9-BS
-Motocross M329BS/ M429BS
-Napa 740-1825
-Sears 44025
-Wal-mart ES9BS
-Yacht CTX9-BS
-deka etx9 (THE ONE I JUST PICKED UP TODAY AND WITH A CCA OF 120!)

Out of these, you want to aim for the'maintenance free' ones. They usually have a longer life and a good 'cca' rating.

 

Walmart is about the cheapest for a good battery. Dont forget to bring your old battery with you when u buy a new one. Walmart charges 9.00 for a core charge.