Cold Starting

corndog67 · 11-13-2012, 09:00 PM

OK, I get off of work this morning, 1 am, the Katoom cranks slow, maybe 5 or 6 cranks, and then the battery dies.

My question is, are these bikes temperature sensitive? When it's fairly cold (it was about 35 degrees F.), are there any common starting issues?

Started up easy enough off a truck with some jumpers. Got home and put it on the charger, showed less than 25% charge (smart charger). Charged it until the charger went off, and it seems OK now, but is this something common on really cold starts?

Thanks, Robert

wildehond · 11-14-2012, 04:26 AM

Cold also depletes your battery's power quite a bit. So I think it was a few things working against you. The cold, under performing battery, the cold, tight engine. How old is the battery? Mine last about 12 to 18 months and then they do not start the bike porperly in cold weather any more.

666 · 11-14-2012, 06:37 AM

My stock yausa started doing the same few weeks ago. It takes a day to fully charge and battery was dead overnight. I replaced it. 6 years is not that bad.

corndog67 · 11-14-2012, 01:46 PM

Thanks guys. I'll get the battery load tested.

scottrnelson · 11-16-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corndog67

Thanks guys. I'll get the battery load tested.

The better solution is to just give in and get a new battery.

I had similar problems on occasion with my 990 Adv. After the third time I had to jump start it to get home I bought a new battery. The old one was "still good", so I saved it for a while, but finally gave up on that and recycled it too.

My philosophy is that if I have battery problems twice within a 30-day period get a new battery instead of trying to coax a little more life out of the old one.

Qwik · 11-16-2012, 11:51 AM

New battery is cheap. But Make sure your connections are good as well.

Douf · 11-16-2012, 01:20 PM

Some rough figures relating battery performance to temperature

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/us20310.htm

Rinty · 11-16-2012, 01:24 PM

And don't lead acid batteries, especially bike batteries, sulphate up if they're left sitting for a time, off charge?

Dan950ser · 11-16-2012, 01:59 PM

I went to go start my bike and it barely started and just dies after 30 seconds. Do the 950s not run when the battery is too low or can it run without a battery. Kind of scared me lol.

Dustodust · 11-18-2012, 09:56 AM

I installed a headlight off switch , I turn headlight off before cold starting and parking for the night. Saves a lot of battery power
I have a plug out the side to painlessly hook up the Deltran tender and it also connects to the HID helmet lights , also works as a jumper

Dan950ser · 11-18-2012, 10:18 AM

I usually have mine on a tender. Battery is a couple years old now. Just never had a running issue before. Hope it's just a battery.

mrdirtbikerider · 11-18-2012, 11:49 AM

My stock Yausa lasted 6 years. It was put on a trickle charger every night. I replaced it with a Ballistic Evo2 LiFePO battery 430 cca. Much lighter and smaller.

Doorguy1979 · 11-18-2012, 02:23 PM

Mine liquid acid battery does get weak when it gets cold. I can get two years out of one, even parked outside. I'll have to jump it the first 30 degree day, and charge the battery overnight, then as long as I ride it once every couple days, and keep the tender on it, it'll be fine for the winter. Second year, second winter on this battery, I know it's getting weak. I'll replace it come spring.

bdefen · 11-18-2012, 06:37 PM

My 950 wouldn't start in cold (30 F or below overnight) temps. I put in on a tender 24/7. No problems since.

11-13-2012, 09:00 PM	#1
corndog67 ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Maria, CA Oddometer: 873	Cold Starting OK, I get off of work this morning, 1 am, the Katoom cranks slow, maybe 5 or 6 cranks, and then the battery dies. My question is, are these bikes temperature sensitive? When it's fairly cold (it was about 35 degrees F.), are there any common starting issues? Started up easy enough off a truck with some jumpers. Got home and put it on the charger, showed less than 25% charge (smart charger). Charged it until the charger went off, and it seems OK now, but is this something common on really cold starts? Thanks, Robert __________________ Ducati S4 916 is history. KTM 950 SM, my main squeeze now. 1970 CT-70 And now, an XR75,

11-14-2012, 04:26 AM	#2
wildehond wildehond Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Oddometer: 331	Cold also depletes your battery's power quite a bit. So I think it was a few things working against you. The cold, under performing battery, the cold, tight engine. How old is the battery? Mine last about 12 to 18 months and then they do not start the bike porperly in cold weather any more. __________________ Wussy Namibia solo ride

11-14-2012, 06:37 AM	#3
666 Agnostic and Orange Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Castro Valley, CA Oddometer: 1,230	My stock yausa started doing the same few weeks ago. It takes a day to fully charge and battery was dead overnight. I replaced it. 6 years is not that bad. __________________ 2006 KTM 950 ADV 2004 KTM 450EXC Moab Ride Report http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=629423 Dusy Ershim Ride Report http://www.southbayriders.com/forums...ad.php?t=99109

11-14-2012, 01:46 PM	#4
corndog67 ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Maria, CA Oddometer: 873	Thanks guys. I'll get the battery load tested. __________________ Ducati S4 916 is history. KTM 950 SM, my main squeeze now. 1970 CT-70 And now, an XR75,

11-16-2012, 11:51 AM	#6
Qwik Two Wheeled Addict Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Sunnyvale, California Oddometer: 5,247	New battery is cheap. But Make sure your connections are good as well. __________________ Speed bumps never seem to make me go any faster

11-16-2012, 01:20 PM	#7
Douf Limey Bitch Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Close to Cumming (GA that is) Oddometer: 653	Some rough figures relating battery performance to temperature http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/us20310.htm __________________ Two Meals - True Terror (An Alaskan Ironbutt Odyssey): Liking Biking 4 Corners of South Africa - via the internet.

11-16-2012, 01:24 PM	#8
Rinty Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta Oddometer: 420	And don't lead acid batteries, especially bike batteries, sulphate up if they're left sitting for a time, off charge?

11-16-2012, 01:59 PM	#9
Dan950ser NW Shredder Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Olympia, WA Oddometer: 197	I went to go start my bike and it barely started and just dies after 30 seconds. Do the 950s not run when the battery is too low or can it run without a battery. Kind of scared me lol. __________________ 2007 KTM 950 Super Enduro R: titanium Q's, CJ Rack, H2W Jetting, Scott's triples and dampner and more to come. 2005 CR 500AFC: Need more be said BEAST!!!

11-18-2012, 09:56 AM	#10
Dustodust Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Crestline CA Oddometer: 671	I installed a headlight off switch , I turn headlight off before cold starting and parking for the night. Saves a lot of battery power I have a plug out the side to painlessly hook up the Deltran tender and it also connects to the HID helmet lights , also works as a jumper __________________ 04 KTM 950 S 04 KTM 525 EXC street plated

11-18-2012, 10:18 AM	#11
Dan950ser NW Shredder Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Olympia, WA Oddometer: 197	I usually have mine on a tender. Battery is a couple years old now. Just never had a running issue before. Hope it's just a battery. __________________ 2007 KTM 950 Super Enduro R: titanium Q's, CJ Rack, H2W Jetting, Scott's triples and dampner and more to come. 2005 CR 500AFC: Need more be said BEAST!!!

11-18-2012, 11:49 AM	#12
mrdirtbikerider KTM--Rider Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Okc. Ok Oddometer: 162	My stock Yausa lasted 6 years. It was put on a trickle charger every night. I replaced it with a Ballistic Evo2 LiFePO battery 430 cca. Much lighter and smaller. __________________ "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth." Steve McQueen 06 KTM 950 SM

11-18-2012, 02:23 PM	#13
Doorguy1979 Dreamridin' Joined: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Oddometer: 587	Mine liquid acid battery does get weak when it gets cold. I can get two years out of one, even parked outside. I'll have to jump it the first 30 degree day, and charge the battery overnight, then as long as I ride it once every couple days, and keep the tender on it, it'll be fine for the winter. Second year, second winter on this battery, I know it's getting weak. I'll replace it come spring. __________________ "...and I say we are Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree, with ANY administration!-- Hillary Clinton 08 KLR 650 82 Suzuki GS850

11-18-2012, 06:37 PM	#14
bdefen Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Boise, Idaho - In the heart of Dual-Sport Paradise Oddometer: 298	Keep it on a tender... My 950 wouldn't start in cold (30 F or below overnight) temps. I put in on a tender 24/7. No problems since. __________________ Byron '06 KTM 950 Adventure

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