128
Maintenance and Adjustment
Battery Discharge
Under normal conditions, the motorcycle
charging system will keep the battery fully
charged. However, if the motorcycle is
unused, the battery will gradually discharge
due to a normal process called self discharge;
the clock, engine control module (ECM)
memory, high ambient temperatures, or the
addition of electrical security systems or other
electrical accessories will all increase this rate
of battery discharge. Disconnecting the
battery from the motorcycle during storage
will reduce the rate of discharge.
Battery Discharge During Storage
and Infrequent Use of the
Motorcycle
During storage or infrequent use of the
motorcycle, inspect the battery Voltage
weekly using a digital multimeter. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions supplied with the
meter.
Should the battery Voltage fall below
12.7 Volts, the battery should be charged
(see page
129
).
Allowing a battery to discharge or leaving it
discharged for even a short period of time
causes sulphation of the lead plates.
Sulphation is a normal part of the chemical
reaction inside the battery, however over time
the sulphate can crystallise on the plates
making recovery difficult or impossible. This
permanent damage is not covered by the
motorcycle warranty, as it is not due to a
manufacturing defect.
Keeping the battery fully charged reduces the
likelihood of it freezing in cold conditions.
Allowing a battery to freeze will cause serious
internal damage to the battery.
Caution
The charge level in the battery must be
maintained to maximize battery life.
Failure to maintain the battery charge level
could cause serious internal damage to the
battery.
