| Author | Message | ||
     Garrett2 |
after approx 1000 miles my battery is dead rode it thursday, go to fire her up today and nothing is this still common or what? | ||
| Citified |
I have to keep mine on the tender whenever I put it away. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Don't know - but I am suspecting it is. Got mine back yesterday after her 600 mile oil change. Rode about 200 miles yesterday - stayed at my friends. Just went to head home - dead battery. I have a charger on it now. | ||
| Garrett2 |
wow, even stopping for a bit and it went dead? heres what i dont get: didnt ride it for a month and she fired right up. rode to work and it was fine a few hours later i went to lunch and it was fine a few hours later i got off and made a short (15 minute) trip and it was fine. 15 minutes later was 30 minute ride...it was fine. then two more 20-30 minute rides with no issue. now a few days later its done? im really hoping this was a one time thing, i dont want to get stuck somewhere. is the company doing anything about this? (replacing batteries or whatever teh issue is)?? | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
A little more background on my situation: My bike was delivered a week or so before Christmas. Weather was crap - so only rode about 50 miles or so the month of December. I changed jobs - and had a lot of international travel. I was away from home for almost a month - and I did not have a spare tender to put on the 1125R. Finally - got home. Had a few days of above 40 and minimal rain so did a little spirited riding. Finally got my 600 miles in and Saturday (as in yesterday) picked the bike back up. I rode it quite spirited yesterday - stayed over night at a friends about 150 miles from home (ok - had several adult beverages and decided to do the smart/adult thing). Today - dead. Nothing. Called the dealer - no pickup until Tuesday. So - borrowed my friends truck and bought a battery charger and multi-meter (I don't know how he survives without those tools). Checked the battery BEFORE hooking up the charger: was putting out 11.8 volts. Battery charger on for 3 hours - is up to 12.3/12.4. Will leave it on a couple more hours checking the voltage periodically. After it hits 12.8, will let it sit for an hour or so and check it again. The ONLY electric accessory I have is dealer installed heated grips. Yes, this is VERY weird. If the bike was dropping voltage, it should have when I was away (the bike sit in a non-heated but above freezing garage). Of course, this could all be circumstantial. Will keep posting my results. | ||
| Garrett2 |
see i have no accessories installed that would drain the battery (well, no accessories period). and it was in doors in a garage, temps never dropped below 45 outside since i put it away. it was in a garage with dryer (two car garage, but still) so im sure that aided in adding a little heat to the garage. im just hoping this isnt going to become an issue... | ||
| Spectrum |
You guys must be crazy. According to Buell there is only like 5 people that have had charging system problems. Ok, sorry I'm a little frustrated with Buell over this. What I have found is once the coolant temperature goes above 185. The system will be at a net drain at idle. Above 2000K rpm it's still good, but the voltage continues to drop as the temperature goes up. The 2 times my battery went dead I was in stop-n-go traffic for 15-20mins with the coolant temperature at 200 degrees. Also one of the HD tech's suggested leaving the security system active may drain the battery. I keep the bike on the tender and I've mounted a Kuryakyn Led voltage meter so I know when it's charging and not. See link below. I purchased it at the local cycle supply for $35. http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/kuryakyn LedVoltmeter.html If my situation is any indicator, this problem is going to become more persistent as the weather warms up. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Ok - a quick update. After about 4:00 hours on the charger, I disconnected the charger and she barked to life (damn - I do love that sound). I let it run to warm up - and measured the voltage while she was still warming. The battery was putting out 14.1-14.4 (or thereabouts). I assumed that was GOOD! After she got to operating temp, I shut her down and immediately measured the voltage from the battery then - 12.2. She is back on the charger. SIGH - this sounds like it is going to be a problem. 12.2 is less than 50% of a charge. I suspect (but I didn't try) she would have started with that - and certainly there is a drain when you first start them up. Will post more later when I have more results. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Garrett, I had an incident very similar to what happened to you. Very similar. I believe Buell is working on the issue(s), but that is hard to confirm. I have not had any issues other than the one dead battery incident, but that is enough. Is it a one time incident? Until someone explains to me exactly how that could be, I consider the electrical system (or at least a component or components in my 1125r) flawed. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
I think (but am not sure) there is a DIRECT relationship between discharging the battery and screwing with the dash. I changed the Time (daylight savings and all) before I actually tried to start the bike before it died. I have had the charger on most of the evening - and the readings from the battery are predictable (the battery is growing in voltage). So - I unplugged the charger - and futzed with setting the PIN for the bike. Checked voltage - it DROPPED like crazy! I know - that seems weird (it does to me too). Will post more as I figure this out. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Ok - here is the latest: When I IMMEDIATELY pull her off the charger - she shows 12.5 to 12.8. The charger says she is not in maintenance yet (damn idiot lights on the charger). She starts perfectly. Warms up perfectly. Shows 14+ volts charging. I would declare her "fixed" - but I suspect that it has to do with the dash (all the new electronics). If I fudge with the dash - I can show a BIG voltage drop (.1 or .2). If she is on the bubble - that is enough to make her not turn over. Would love it if someone else can confirm - the problem seems isolated to the dash as the voltage sucker. Of course, I could be totally wrong - and it won't be the first time... but it does quack like a duck..... | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Oops... forgot to add the rest. I have called in sick already tomorrow (my boss understands my addiction to motorcycles and Buell's in particulrar - so no worries). Am going to leave her on the charger overnight. I expect her to fire up right away tomorrow (just like she has done all night). If I don't touch the dash - she will be fine. If I do - well - then it will be iffy tomorrow. Will post what I find out. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Na, I have a Duc with a digital dash and alarm. It don't quack like that   | ||
| Spectrum |
Tim, I doubt it's the dash. The digital electronics and such just don't draw enough current. Do you have the security system in "On" or "Ask" mode? If so, I'd suggest turning it off. There is a history with HD's security system draining batteries as one HD Tech pointed out on one of the other charging system problem threads. | ||
| Ducxl |
Maybe BMC should start including multimeters and chargers with 1125r purchase.I know this is an "anomaly",but by adding these accesories owners could better work in conjunction with dealers IF there IS a problem | ||
| Garrett2 |
alarm isnt set, so thats not it didnt mess with anything just sucks its having this issue. blows | ||
| Zac4mac |
There must be something wrong, ie. broken, not design. I haven't put Loretta on the Tender since week-end before last. Many short rides, <10 miles, a few longer and she's been sitting since Saturday. I was checking some things this morning, and Diag Mode in PARK showed 12.6, DM in RUN showed 12.3. So Ducxl - BMC DOES provide a Voltmeter in Diagnostic Mode. You even get the option of a light load or a heavier load to test battery voltage AND strength. Z | ||
| Thurstonbuell |
I haven't riden in a couple weeks , but did leave her on the battery tender since , the lights on the tender showed a full charge , then I checked my battery voltage in the diagnostic mode ..... 12.1 volt's , does that seem right ? According to the owners manual , 12.1 volts would be a 25% charge..... I've only riden her once , so I don't believe I have any problems....yet | ||
| Zac4mac |
You can access Diagnostic Mode two ways. From RUN, with the kill-switch ON, you have Ignition, fuel pump AND full lights, essentially a 10-12 Amp load on the battery. That will pull the voltage down half to almost a volt below "open circuit" battery voltage. You can also access DM from the PARK position. In PARK, you have no fuel pump, no ignition and most important, no headlights, only tail light. This gives you a much less loaded battery reading, within .1-.2 of open circuit. Zack | ||
| Jedipunk |
I solved the issue on my bike by starting it before I mess with the diagnostics or anything that has to do with the dash. If you want to check the voltage while its not running, take the passenger seat off and check the battery with a voltmeter. I keep a battery charger handy and pull the lighting fuse when I work on them in the shop. Having the key on without the bike running drains the battery quickly. Oh yeah, you can't start the bike with the lighting fuse out, so pull it after starting the bike if you're going to be fiddling with the bike at idle for some time. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Ok - bike was on tender all night. Idiot light on charger shows full. More importantly, voltmeter shows 12.7 (100%). Pulled the charger off and let things sit for an hour or so (more like 90 minutes). No load shows 12.7 volts. So - I don't think the bike is just draining away. Will continue to monitor volts. I suspect there is a problem - but not sure what. | ||
| Baggermike |
the dealership called and my bike checked out OK and I have not got any answers to my questions which I was told I would. I am not satisfied with this, I was told I would get answers and got none, I know when riding over to the shop the engine light came on, WHY I hope buell will call me and let me know, I see everyone having problems and I can not trust this bike, I will ride it and see what happens and see if I end up dead some were, I will blow a gasket if I do, mike | ||
| Ducxl |
Youse need that kind of service that guy provides. "Can you hear me now?" "Can you hear me now?" "Can you hear me now?" "Can you hear me now?" Forgive me for having some fun.I DO NOT believe this problem is an "anomaly" | ||
| Bertman |
The one and only time I had a voltage issue with my bike was the morning after I was messing with the diagnostic system and trying unsuccessfully to reset the PIN number. It couldn't have been more than ten minutes total time in the evening messing with it. The next morning the dash lights didn't come on when I turned the key, and upon further inspection my meter showed there was only 5.6 volts in the battery. I charged it up and it has been fine since. Gremlins I tell you! | ||
| Baggermike |
Hey Greg hows the riding, just got my bike home and I will be getting a new battery and just ride it and hope for the best, I am done bringing it in for B S work, just got home and battery is at half charged, I do not know what it was when I left, now the ulysses right fork leg oil came out of the seal and left a puddle of oil on the garage floor, I ready to shoot myself or the bikes, every Buell I have bought have been trouble, I am told one thing and see another, I was suppose to get facts and got none. this Bike was suppose to be built from the rider on down, it should have extra watts for running accessories, it can barely run its high beams and they tell me it is working like it is suppose to, Mike | ||
| Ducxl |
I rode my X1 last week for about 20 miles and no problems.It's too cold out to ride. No dead batteries here. Looking forward to the ride Mike | ||
| Baggermike |
Greg to cold today was a heat wave, the Blast I bought for my son has had problems thence I bought it but I think the end is near, just had the rear wheel bearing go and did not know it till I was riding my son home from the dealership from dropping it off my bike, 2002 Buell Blast with only 6000 miles on it runs great for year and miles, what B S, got it off of ebay from Greater Boston Motorsports and have a good story riding it home, I had some parts on order and got them delivered from Maine were I bought the 1125R, Great guys up there, I was able to catch the guy he had left but turned around to get the bearings and dropped them off the next day and I put them in, I am rebuilding the blast for next winter, it has no problem with heating my gear so will be my cold weather not care about bike. I figured I can get like snow tires or street trail tires and they now sell metal studs for tires and have like six different sizes from full street to full dirt tires and will put them in so I will be ready for next winter and some snow riding, I learned good lesson when the ulysses broke, I now know I need to have two bikes so when one is down I have the other to ride, I should be all set for mid April to mid May and hopefully no more problems, yer right, anyway I am hoping for a great summer but not holding my breath with all the bad luck I have had, my head is spinning from being ripped off, bank problems, and bike problems, I do not think it can get any worse, should not have said that now it will, I am shutting up and crossing my fingers. Mike | ||
| Zac4mac |
Hang in there Mike. Pretty soon the riding is gonna be fun, instead of a survival test. Z | ||
| Baggermike |
Thanks Zack I need to be uplifted a little. the bikes have only been half the problems I have been having but started when the ulysses broke down, so weird all that has happened to me with in the last six months, I turn fifty in May and hope to have no more problems for the next fifty years, or just to next year, I will take that and be happy I just want to have a good summer and fall with my son and then he is off to college. Mike | ||
| Nickcaro |
well, here is my 2 cents. (a.k.a. one man's point of view from 10k feet) I just hit 2k miles today. I had horrible issues with my battery and/or charging system during my first 1k miles. On my first weekend I needed a jump start three times. If I went out for a ride and did not plug in to a tender over night, the bike would not start the following day. Upon arriving at home the on board diag would show me in the 11 - 11.7 range. I left the bike at the dealer for a few days and they found that all was well except for a loose ground wire to the frame. I was also given the "you must rev out close to 7k to get a good charge." Ok, so I keep my RPMs up and out of habit I still plug the tender in every night. I also switched over to LED running lights and brake light -(reducing my draw) The addition of the HIDs has reduced my need for high beams, so in theory I lowered my demand on the system. All was well, until the day that I did not plug in and whammo... the next day I can't start and the on board diag is showing 9 volts. (via the park mode) - Saturday morning my battery was swapped via a warranty claim. - Saturday I rode >100 miles with so many stops that I lost count. - Saturday night did not plug in to tender. When I got home full run diag mode showed me 12 -Sunday morning full run diag showed 11.7 Bike fired right up and rode about 15 miles. - Sunday night no tender. - Monday morning - full run diag 11.9 bike fires up I leave it alone to warm up while I put gear on, when I come back to give it a little blip the voltage surges as high as 13.9 ! - Monday night come back home 139 miles round trip. Park diag mode showing 12.8 !! At this point it may be safe to say that I just needed a new battery and we can all live happily ever after. <or> Lets see what happens over the next few weeks. If the gremlin lives elsewhere, this battery will start taking a hit and I'll see it as the voltage starts dropping down. |
