What To Do When Your Motorcycle Battery Is Dead | The Shop Manual 

Need a new battery or a charger/maintainer? RevZilla has you covered. rvz.la/3MFvGJL

Ari is probably one of the most universally respected people in the motorcycle scene. Seems like a straight ace guy.

Always a fan of these videos from Ari; they are broken down to easy to digest pieces.

As someone who has worked in the lead acid battery industry for 13+ years, this video is spot on! Good job guys

I'm a fan of Ari's shop manual series, keep making such amazing videos 🙌

Definitely do part two of how to check the regulator and stater.

Love it, great video. Side note, multimeters are tools that vary in quality and consistency like any other Get a good quality one; not everyone needs a thousand dollar Fluke, but go too cheap and you can get inconsistent or bad results. Stay away from the harbor freight freebies, lol. Klein tools makes a decent one for a good price as I recall, they're around 30-40.

Service life of 4-5 years is a stretch for those of us who lives in cold climates and only ride our bikes 6 months out of the year. In my experience, even the premium ones only last 3 years in such conditions.

If you have a charger plug outside your bike you can take your measurements right from there. If you don't want to fool with volt meter, Harbor Freight has a little tester, 2 leads, magnet back 6 little LED lights. Three for battery condition, then if you can get it started, 3 other lights for charging. Had mine 30 years. Cars, mowers, motorcycles, boats, if it is 12vdc and neg ground it is your go to for quick checks. About $7 now I think. Easy carry in tool bag.

Honestly can't believe the timing of this video - I know it sounds like BS, but I've just had a battery issue 2 days ago (ZX14 wouldn't start) and was wondering how to test it before just taking it in for a battery replacement. (I never trust the shops battery tests - always wonder how truthful they are). Thanks for the info - heading to go get my hands dirty right now. Love the shop manual vids - keep it up!

As an electronic technician, I'd say this is a very good starting point video. I would have liked to see the stator test, which basically you can see obvious faults by checking the resistanct between the 3 windings and checking it to ground. It also would have been helpful to mention that the cable connections to the battery are clean and tight.

i'm pretty experienced and still learned something from your video (fuel pump fuse trick), thanks !

I literally just replaced my rectifier yesterday after it had no continuity. But I still love watching these videos!

Good video...and I would suggest one thing as well: when charging the battery and letting it rest for some time, disconnect it from the motorbike. In the rare but still possible event that your motorbike has a curren leakage you will still measure the correct resting voltage in this way.

Old and tired…welcome to my world…excellent video…Revzilla rocks👍

Great video, as always. Just imagining how many people are heading out the garage on this Saturday afternoon with a multimeter to check their gear for the first time in months!

LOVE these how-to videos! Keep them coming!

Always a fan of Ari ❤ Eagerly waiting for the Rectifier / Stator Coil diagnosis video ✌️

This needs to be the sticky post on every motorcycle forum/group/Subreddit.

Thanks, I love the way you explain things in beginner language. I always learn something.

Would using my bike battery to power aligator clips for my nipples over the winter have anything to do with it? I got a new girlfriend at the beginning of the winter and we used them a lot.

I absolutely love the shop manual. It’s entertaining and educational.

My triumph's battery went dead after a ten minute ride (didn't want to start after getting some fuel) got it jump started and went home to run some diagnostics similar to this video. (I was an automotive tech for 12 years. The electrical system from car to bike is pretty much the same). Ruled it to be a bad battery cuz I've only had it for about 2 and 1/2 years. Went to the bike stop. Got the same exact brand battery popped it in the bike. Set it on the battery maintainer overnight showed a good charge. Went for an hour ride without turning it off. Came back. Let it rest overnight. Check the voltage, it was dead. So I checked the charging system. It was charging it just fine so I chocked it up to a defective battery and got it replaced with another exact same one. Only to have the exact same problem. So I took it to the dealership and I said fix it. Everything checked out fine. They shoved another new battery in it and still had the same issue I was. Ended up changing it to one of those fancy new lightweight Lipo batteries, and haven't had a problem since. Still scratching my head as to the problem.

Love these videos. As a electro-mechanically inclined person who has worked on my own vehicles for years, this seems like common sense, but a refresher and the knowledge being shared is a very good thing. I would caution though that as simple as thiese steps are, there are sometimes things that can lead to incorrect diagnosis. A bad cable or connection to the battery could show up as a weak charging system is a good example. For the home mechanic or someone just wanting some information on there charging system, there are hand held tools available that will do these same tyle tests in fewer steps. Also, I loved the Radio Shack multimeter.....haven't seen one of those for a while.

Very good information. Also applicable to most cars (not electric of course). I think this is also a good place to add to check battery manual for new installs as some state to be fully charged before use (specially those where user adds the acid -Yuasa).

Ahhhhh please continue with testing regulator rectifiers and Staters. I just about freaked out with excitement seeing this video show up. I know my battery is fine and usually in the past if my bike is not charging the battery it's the regulator rectifier. But I tried replacing it and the battery still isnt charging so I need to know if I bought a bad regulator rectifier or if my stator is shot. Your videos are super helpful in a pinch!

It's always great to see the shop manual with Ari👍 I have put them to use on my own bikes many times.🤘

Brilliant. Learned a new thing here about the resting volts and charts. Nice

Very good info! I'd like to add that low voltage after a charge and rest test could also mean there is a ghost load. I'm not sure what the best test is for that. I bought a used F650GS that I had difficulty keeping the battery charged on. It took a charge from the charging system, but would struggle to start the bike with just a week of rest. I replaced the battery with a $250 lithium battery, which it promptly killed as well. Unfortunately on this model it takes more than the key and a few minutes to access the battery, so I still don't have it sorted yet.

Thank you Rev I learned about how to test my motor cycle battery so do the regulator.ty Rev again.

For the static voltage test, I'd recommend disconnecting the battery from the bike after fully charging it. If there is a parasitic load, it would discharge the battery while you're waiting for the voltage to stabilize and give you a false "fail" indication. It's not a bad idea to do a current test right after fully charging just to confirm there are no parasitic loads present.

Thanks Ari! Your tips are much appreciated.

Another great video! Simple and concise information for everyone on two wheels. Thanks

Revzilla, Episode idea: How to trailer your bike around: Strap it down, Do’s Don’t Hope to see it in the future 😅

Another great video as always Ari

My BMW 750 GS ran out of battery after 2 months of standing still this winter. Because it's fully loaded with navigation its electronics suck battery like nothing! Unfortunately this particular model is unbalanced in terms of battery power vs. electronics needs. I started connecting it to a BMW-recommended charger all the time when I'm not using it. It switches on and off according to needs. It simulates regular usage for battery. Now the bike is always ready when I want to use it.

Multimeter from RADIO SHACK! Very cool. I would also recommend you clean the battery terminals and cables before you connect to the charger and make sure they’re firmly connected.

These are great videos and one of the best sources out there! Keep them coming :)

Incredibly helpful Ari, thanks again.

I feel more and more like a full time mechanic after watching Ari’s videoes.

Please cover clutchless upshift and downshift soon! (Without quickshifter)😬 is it good? Is it bad?

I kept the original Honda battery on my XR650 for 15 years. Keep this in mind: it's a single cylinder thumper! Having frozen it twice in Canadian winters and drained it ALL the way a few times, it still could start the bike even in its last days. I only replaced it when it could no longer keep charge from one day to another. At This stage it still lasted me 4 years. Moral of the story - do not believe you MUST replace the battery immediately when it starts losing capacity.

I love Ari’s concise information. It is super helpful.

Well ari this couldn't of been more perfect I have a little 50cc that won't keep a charge it lasts for a day after being off the charger. Turns out I was just given a bad battery and it wasn't making enough powers from the get go 😅

I'd like to add that if buying a new battery, check it's manufacturing date. I had to replace a 2016 battery in 2020. So I went to the bike shop, got a "new" in the box battery but when I got it home and checked the date - it said 2010. They had sold me a battery that was 6 years older than the one I was replacing. It doesn't matter that it had never been used, the chemistry just won't hold up for that long. The lesson, open the box and check the date right there in the store.

Excellent review, thanks!

When hooking up a charger or jumper cables, you should always connect the "positive" terminal first and then the "negative".

The white versys is back :)

Mine hasn’t even hit 2 years and it’s sitting at 12.18v….Yuasa brand, charged it with acid myself when I bought it. 4-5 years? I got a crap battery apparently 😢

My battery was so dead that it wouldn't even start when fully charged right off the trickle charger

Ducati batteries are behind so much fairing haha ! Fantastic video cheers

Great educational/informative video. Thank you.

Unless you have a newer BMW for which you can’t get a shop manual. This new BMW policy is why my current BMW will be my last BMW. This is a great series and I hope it continues and I hope other manufacturers don’t follow BMW down the stupid path of no longer providing shop manuals.

If the charger does not start charging a dead battery it might not be a door stop! Smart chargers will not recognize a battery which was discharged too much, with too low voltage. You can still try charging it with an old dumb charger, or just give it 12V from some other analogue source (like a power brick for some appliance) for a couple of minutes/hours and then plug it in to the smart charger. Oh and one more thing - don't be too scared of being left stranded, it's not a car, you can, in most cases, push start it by yourself.

Hey Ari...great job as usual! Have you or would you do a segment on setting up a safe and flexible system for charging all of our chargeable devices, both while riding and when we pull into a campsite? Having just added a video camera and a GPS locator, I'm getting into a big tangled mess of cables, connectors and worry about compatibility of all the pieces needed to run an efficient and safe system.

I recently bought a second hand FZ1, I purchased a new battery since the bike was sitting still since August of last year. After bad experiences with batteries, I monitored the battery and noticed something draining the battery, after checking all the wiring, I found the culprit: a gps tracker left by the previous owner.

I got stranded twice last month, turned out to be a Rectifier Regulator issue for me, been great since i replaced it.

My Harley batteries only last about 2 years on any I have ever had.

Spot on! It's good to check resting voltage more often than not. With slipper clutches installed on most modern bikes the plan B (push start) is limited. I have found AGM batteries are good until they are not, meaning they will start the bike well until they suddenly won't. Testing resting voltage is your savior.

how did you know my battery was gonna die this week... lmao thanks ari

Aint no way yall got the same old Radioshack multimeter that I have!! 🤣🤣

even a very bad battery should show around 14v when revving?

Great content as always

I bought a Versys years ago because of Ari….and his pizza in a backpack video. Good times 👍🤪🇨🇦

good stuff keep it coming.

Shouldn't you also test the charging voltage at higher RPM too to rule out bad regulator ?

I always learn so much from these shop manual videos. He makes it look so easy, but when I do it takes me a few hours 😅. Need to watch more videos and keep practicing.

Another extremely helpful edition of “The Shop Manual”. Thank you, Ari!

When Ari The Shop Manual's Doctor talks - we listen.👍😎

Very convenient since my battery died last weekend. Thanks 🙏🏼

how about using a Jump Starter Power Pack, as a motorcycle battery ?

Ari’s shop videos are the best. Definitely support revzilla every season.

Crisp and clear.. 9.6V cranking volt info was pretty helpful..

I Want to add one more pro tip, After Installing your fancy Christmas Fogg Lights, dont forget to check the Voltage at Idle Rpm, Usually I have seen that voltage may drop below 13.5 at idle rpm , so be careful while installing fogg lights.

Came across a curiosity for batteries and found this video. Helped me get around motorcycle batteries in less than 10 minutes! Thankyou

Day one of revzilla being the top gear of bikes you guys should do more motorcycle trips with the whole revzilla gang I would pay to watch each episode keep up the great content and hope more big trips to come

If your battery is good any you just put it in you bike make sure you did not connect the positive to the negative, if you think you might check the fuse box. Please dont ask me how I know about this :)

well I clicked on this with the assumption I wouldn't learn anything new but, I was wrong. Thanks as always to the SM love these learning opportunities.

This Ari guy, he's like the Google of motorcycle maintenance.

Mis ya brah... Luv watching ya videos, Keep making videos 👍🏾

I replace all my bikes lead acid batteries with lithium. Lithium last 3-5 times longer, higher CCA, longer warranty, charge in minutes vs hours, no trickle charger needed, full crank power even at 5% charge vs 70% charge needed lead acid, lithium no corrosion or hydrogen gas, lithium less toxic and more recyclable, lithium so light and small versions available, some lithium one stored energy crank if rest battery dead

Code rossi(46) in a yamaha is always fun.

I have a question. I have a 2007 Vulcan 1500. I put in a new charging system ie 2 new stators and 2 new regulator rectifiers plus a new battery. I checked the battery with everything off, it showed 12.8 volts. When I turn it on it goes up to 13.5 with everything on. When I rev it it only goes to 13.6. My manual says it should be 14.2 to 14.6. But I have been riding for the last two days and battery is still above 12.6 so do you think it’s properly charging?

I wish OEMs would stop using crappy spade connectors for the stator to regulator connections.

Ari, we missed you!!! Pop in more often

What can be the issue if motorcycle is charging battery, but sometimes after riding on higher rpm's it stops charging during ride (on my voltage meter shows 12.4 instead of 14.something), and charginng comes back after few minutes?

Hello, quick question, my battery on my ducati Hyperstrada 939 is regular 12.6v or drown to 12.2v after 4-7 days of no starting or riding, But when the motorcycle started, the voltage goes up to 13.8-14v, what does that mean? I know that the battery is in good condition but is that my motorcycle produces high voltage than the battery capacity or what? Thanks, mine is the lead acid YUASA though

Fuckin ay man I needed this video

RadioShack! Rad!

Sorry Ari, I don't mean to step on your toes but you're very wrong buddy. In the 30 years I've been playing with cars and bikes, any and all batteries with 12.5 volts are worthless. For a 12 volt lead battery to work, regularly, at its lowest dependable voltage, you need like 13.1 or more volts. It might start your ride once or twice at a lower voltage, but it won't last much longer. Especially if the battery was just unplugged from a charger. With the engine running, you wanna see high 13s or 14 volts on your meter, no more than 14.9 volts max (otherwise you're risking overheating your battery). A healthy newish battery shows 14 volts or damn near even when resting. Do NOT assume a 12.5 volt battery is anything but dead kids, trust me, I've been stranded plenty of times for playing with these numbers. And for the love of God, please get a trickle charger and plug it in. They're good for the environment.

Useful info. I'm one of those "spooked" people. Time to go get myself a multimeter!

I have a /84 honda 1200 Interstate, replaced battery, but wondering if this motorcycle will run without battery connection?

Man this channel has helped me so much, just like Fortnine I hit like before I have even seen the video

Hi Ari! If you switch to a more modern 12v battery would that stress an old bikes charging system? I got an 2013 Versys 650 Great channel btw ✌️

This has nothing to do with this video. My Bennelli tnt135 was backed into back in early June. It had minor body damage, plastics. Its been at the dealership for almost 3 months waiting on parts. My summer riding season is shot. Is there any laws that help this kind of situation. Do dealerships have a never ending repair schedule?

Please talk about motorcycle battery mAh next time. What's the between low and high mAh battery.

excellent information like always, keep the videos coming, please.

I have SUZUKI TS185 motorbike. this bike has no battery, so it has a problem with engine idle. means it goes off after I started the engine unless I feed it fiul. Is this because of the battery or other issue? thanks for your help.

TQ for the info,..i was wondering has anyone tried the Pink acid solution that is claim to able to revive the any almost dead battery to its glory state again...does it really works?.

I know why my bike struggled to start and eventually failed me one cold winter day . Wasn't the battery tho , nor the charging system or starter . Hi there , my name is human name and i ride a Suzuki VZ800 marauder , also known as a Velucia , an Intruder and a bunch of other names depending on where it was meant to be sold , final drive and emisions system . If you ride a bike of this line, congratulations , you have a small ,fuel efficient and shiny bike . If , or rather when your bike starts to struggle to start don't blame the battery tho . See Suzuki for some reason that no one can explain decided to put a mystery module in the starting circuit .I have not been able to find a replacement for it but the good news is that i did not need to and neither do you . Just take a piece of wire and jump the leads going into it and presto chenjo you have a complete starting circuit minus one mystery module that no one knows the purpos of which you can toss into the electronics recycling bin . Ride safe .