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[TheBoy]

Its funny, I get called a poofter for having a GS, but at least I use it. All of you other "cool" kids with your faster road bikes don't use them 

Some of us have a fair few more miles than you do

Additionally, remember that many of us are from a generation where you couldn't afford a car when you were 18, so had to get a bike. It was transport, not a plaything for middle aged men (you are old before your time )

[TheBoy]

I should point out, the ZX10 is far from 'cool'. It might have been back in its day, when you were still in short trousers, but its a very old bike now. But its stupidly cheap to run, costing less than £200 per year for tax, insurance and MOT. So its not exactly 'wasting' money if I don't ride it as much as a wannabe Jedi

That said, a choice between my mashed-up ZX10 and a newer, reasonable condition GS1200, I know what I would pick

[Martian]

I used to like Yuasa batteries, but the forum's UPS eats them for breakfast (though I guess the heat doesn't help).

The last battery I bought for the ZX10 was one of those where you add the acid yourself, and I've never been impressed with it TBH - the bike does suffer warm-start issues, and is often left for weeks without use.

What would the life of a bike battery be - this is the first bike I've had where I've had to change the battery (twice!), though have had it a while now.  Last time I checked, it was charging at about 14.5v at 3000rpm.

I've personally never had a problem with Yuasa's, except when the bike gets left for long periods of time without use. Even though they stay in the garage during the winter months, lack of use is the biggest killer and it won't make any odds how well the battery is built.
As the old saying goes, use it or lose it.

Like Kevin we have a CTEK conditioner (XS08), and I can confirm this has made a noticeable difference to the battery life on the bikes.
I'd personally buy a decent battery along with a charger/conditioner and just leave the condioner connected the whole time the bike is not in use (the conditioner is designed for that).

[TheBoy]

I used to like Yuasa batteries, but the forum's UPS eats them for breakfast (though I guess the heat doesn't help).

The last battery I bought for the ZX10 was one of those where you add the acid yourself, and I've never been impressed with it TBH - the bike does suffer warm-start issues, and is often left for weeks without use.

What would the life of a bike battery be - this is the first bike I've had where I've had to change the battery (twice!), though have had it a while now.  Last time I checked, it was charging at about 14.5v at 3000rpm.

I've personally never had a problem with Yuasa's, except when the bike gets left for long periods of time without use. Even though they stay in the garage during the winter months, lack of use is the biggest killer and it won't make any odds how well the battery is built.
As the old saying goes, use it or lose it.

Like Kevin we have a CTEK conditioner (XS08), and I can confirm this has made a noticeable difference to the battery life on the bikes.
I'd personally buy a decent battery along with a charger/conditioner and just leave the condioner connected the whole time the bike is not in use (the conditioner is designed for that).

Thanks for the advice Martian

Given that the ZX10 is so old, there is no drain on the battery when off, would you leave it on the bike when not in use, with conditioner on (permenently, or weekly/monthly session?)?

Any advice on where to buy batteries from?

Given my current battery gases a fair bit, would gel or fully sealed batts be better?

[TheBoy]

One of these puppies, Martian?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ctek-CTE-XS08-6-Stage-Smart-Charger/dp/B004RADNCQ

[tunnie]

I should point out, the ZX10 is far from 'cool'. It might have been back in its day, when you were still in short trousers, but its a very old bike now. But its stupidly cheap to run, costing less than £200 per year for tax, insurance and MOT. So its not exactly 'wasting' money if I don't ride it as much as a wannabe Jedi

That said, a choice between my mashed-up ZX10 and a newer, reasonable condition GS1200, I know what I would pick

I would like to ride around the world, at some point. It inspired me. Maybe not in one go, but its a dream. Why is that so bad?   

I might not have the budget, planning or support. But a 1,000 trip to Isle of Man was at least a taster. With Scotland soon to follow....

[Martian]

Given that the ZX10 is so old, there is no drain on the battery when off, would you leave it on the bike when not in use, with conditioner on (permenently, or weekly/monthly session?)?

We leave our's connected permanently, the conditioner/charger only outputs 800mA maximum which is spot on for the batteries we have (12Ah & 14Ah) and it does know when to charge and when not to so the battery doesn't get cooked.

Any advice on where to buy batteries from?

Unfortunately not, I got the last one from a small (backstreet) independant just around the corner from where we live and it was a Yuasa that was delivered to them (dry).
It is standard lead/acid and cost £25 about 5 months ago including the acid fill.

Given my current battery gases a fair bit, would gel or fully sealed batts be better?

Like you I suspect your charger may have been putting out a bit too much charge current (hence the gassing). An ideal bench charge rate for a battery is one tenth it's Ah rating.
I don't think a gel battery would last very long to be honest, gel batteries require different charging voltages (slightly lower than lead/acid) and the charge rate has to be more tightly controlled (which your regulator won't be able to do).
Failure to observe the charging rules for gel batteries leads to their early demise quite quickly.
As far as a sealed LA battery goes, the only advantage I see to them is that you can't get burnt if you inadvertently knock the battery over. I personally prefer the ability to top the electrolyte up if it's getting low.

One of these puppies, Martian?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ctek-CTE-XS08-6-Stage-Smart-Charger/dp/B004RADNCQ

That's the very same 

[TheBoy]

I should point out, the ZX10 is far from 'cool'. It might have been back in its day, when you were still in short trousers, but its a very old bike now. But its stupidly cheap to run, costing less than £200 per year for tax, insurance and MOT. So its not exactly 'wasting' money if I don't ride it as much as a wannabe Jedi

That said, a choice between my mashed-up ZX10 and a newer, reasonable condition GS1200, I know what I would pick

I would like to ride around the world, at some point. It inspired me. Maybe not in one go, but its a dream. Why is that so bad?   

I might not have the budget, planning or support. But a 1,000 trip to Isle of Man was at least a taster. With Scotland soon to follow....

Each to there own, never said there was anything wrong with that.  You just need to open your eyes to the fact that other people's views/needs/dreams may differ from yours

So, does it matter mine only did 160+ miles last year

[TheBoy]

Thanks M.

Cheapest battery I can find online is £45 + delivery.  I will call round the bike shops this week, see whats what

[tunnie]

I should point out, the ZX10 is far from 'cool'. It might have been back in its day, when you were still in short trousers, but its a very old bike now. But its stupidly cheap to run, costing less than £200 per year for tax, insurance and MOT. So its not exactly 'wasting' money if I don't ride it as much as a wannabe Jedi

That said, a choice between my mashed-up ZX10 and a newer, reasonable condition GS1200, I know what I would pick

I would like to ride around the world, at some point. It inspired me. Maybe not in one go, but its a dream. Why is that so bad?   

I might not have the budget, planning or support. But a 1,000 trip to Isle of Man was at least a taster. With Scotland soon to follow....

Each to there own, never said there was anything wrong with that.  You just need to open your eyes to the fact that other people's views/needs/dreams may differ from yours

So, does it matter mine only did 160+ miles last year

Nope, but I like taking the wee wee as you so often do with me 

[TheBoy]

Actually, I know the battery is shot in that it won't hold its charge for more than a week or 2, but it does take charge OK (in that it will, when charged, turn the bike over for a few attempts before dying).  Would the conditioner help revive this battery?  Worth a shot, or just buy a battery as well?

[tunnie]

Cost of that smart charger is £40, is it not worth just buying a new battery  :-/

[hotel21]

My bike is only used now high days and holidays but sits on an optimate charger all the time.  Does get a start every couple of months just to make sure it can and, so far, battery still holding out.  I think current battery is about 4 or 5 years old, charger must be about 10 or 12 years old and still working fine....

 

[Martian]

Thanks M.

Cheapest battery I can find online is £45 + delivery.  I will call round the bike shops this week, see whats what

If yours is the 14L A2, I've just found it at £41.46 including VAT and delivery from Battery Masters

http://www.batterymasters.co.uk/Product-Yuasa-Yumicron-YB14L-A2,-12v-14Ah-Motorcycle-Batteries_2369.aspx

[Martian]

Actually, I know the battery is shot in that it won't hold its charge for more than a week or 2, but it does take charge OK (in that it will, when charged, turn the bike over for a few attempts before dying).  Would the conditioner help revive this battery?  Worth a shot, or just buy a battery as well?

I doubt the conditioner will help, I expect it will be quite sulfated inside and this will be the cause of it's inability to perform.
I have had some success in the past with "shocking" batteries back in to life by hitting them with a couple of hundred amps from those car booster/starter jobbies (the proper ones on wheels), but the success rate has been less than 50% using that method.