Got a question about batteries and battery life. The main concern is for my XT225, I know its a yami but it's related here in a minute. Problem, the extreme cold here is beating the hell out of my battery, super weak when it hasn't been started in a few days, and if I let it sit for more than a week, I'll kill the battery trying to get it fired up. Not the batteries part on this as the XT is super cold-blooded and doesn't start easy after long cold spells. Anyway, got the battery charged up and all is fine, but seems like it doesn't hold a charge for long cause after a bit it starts to get weak again. So, given the cold weather, is this normal?(Never lived anywhere this cold) For the CBR......I start it once a week and it is starting to kick over a tad bit slower, just barely noticable. When I started the CBR, the top end sounded like a stone grinder till it warmed up to 100 or so. Figured the oil was super thick in the 10-15 degree temps and took a few seconds to start to lube up? What do you guys in the colder climates think?

 

I dont start my bikes when it gets that cold. The oil is thick and hardly flows at all...in the meantime the top end of the engine barely gets lubricated. If you are concerned with the battery just put it on a tender and wait for warmer temps. Your bike will thank you for it later!

 

put battery on a tender, and stop running your bikes till its warm enough to ride. All that moisture your creating starting them all the time will sit in places you dont want it too. Its also really hard on the plugs and top end. Just leave them be Shock.

 

You should be running a lighter oil if you plan on riding it in colder weather. But if your just starting it once a week, its really not neccessary. As said, it will just create moisture all over as the engine heats up. If its sits for longer than say 3 or 4 months, its a good idea to start it and let the oil recoat everything, but every week is not needed.

Also, look at the cold cranking amps of the battery and make sure it is sufficient for your bikes requirements. Batteries when cold do not put out the same amount of power as when they are in a warm climate. Plus, every Yamaha I've ever owned has been really cold blooded.

As far as it going dead. It shouldnt, unless its freezing.But TK has the best alternative with the battery tender idea. You would probably be better off removing it from the bike and storing it inside.

 

Thanks for the replies. Even with the weather being cold, I ride daily. More so my XT but when it gets up in the 40's I'll take the CBR out just to run it. So, they aren't "in storage" per se' but the cbr just isn't getting used as much. No harm right?

 

If you run a battery until death and then recharge you really shorten its service life, maybe keep that in mind if you hear the starter starting to drag.