Keeping Seldom Used Motorbike Functional?

mtgmike Contributor

149POSTS

5 years ago

I haven't been using my motorbike as much lately and the battery has been dying.聽 I think the last time I started it was about 5 weeks ago, today I can't even kick-start it.

How often and how long with each ride do you suppose you'd have to ride your motorbike at a minimum to keep it functional?

If you let a bike sit to the point of battery discharge, can you use a battery charger periodically to get it going again, or will the battery need to be replaced?

See also

Getting around Hanoi - Guide
Buying a motorbike - 7 Replies
Import a motorbike - 5 Replies
Motorbike Insurance - 2 Replies
Your thoughts, new or used motorbike? - 22 Replies
Buy a Motorbike in Saigon - 23 Replies
Motorbike Spare parts - 5 Replies

Wxx3 Serial expat

409POSTS

5 years ago

How long can it sit before the battery won't start it?
If it's just a couple of days, the battery is shot. Replace it.
If it's a couple of weeks, battery is so-so, keep on battery trickle charger.

If it's 5+ weeks, probably good, but charge on trickle charger once a week or put on smart charger that will stop charging when battery is full.

Live on a hill and "push-start" it.

1 member reacted to this post

Hooked Active member

62POSTS

5 years ago

Yes I agree trickle charge and gas additive聽 for storage if they sell it in Vn

SteinNebraska ViP

1298POSTS

5 years ago

We are going to test this theory.聽 I just put a new battery into my Triumph Tiger 800XC in the summer of 2019.聽 Since I haven't been able to go home at all this year it's been on a battery tender for more than a year already now, soon to be 24 months by the time I get home in June 2021.

danrodri Contributor

138POSTS

5 years ago

I'm leaving my bike here in Malaysia for God knows how long...no idea when I can return. Would it make sense to simply unplug the battery before I leave?

Hooked Active member

62POSTS

5 years ago

Drain聽 the carburetor of all fuel
Un hook battery cable to bike

1 member reacted to this post

goodolboy ViP

2325POSTS

5 years ago

Hooked wrote:
Drain聽 the carburetor of all fuel
Un hook battery cable to bike

If the bike is going to sit for more than a month, I would completely drain all the fuel, fuel left in a bike goes stale quickly & causes all sorts of problems!

1 member reacted to this post