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Hi all...looks like the original battery is finally on the way out, it barely turns the motor and if I dont get it to catch first time I'm in bother, can't complain though, after 3 years. I read about a battery upgrade on Kens site but thats over in the US of A...is there a UK upgrade equivalent? If so what is the best mail order supplier...to lazy to go to the shops

mmm I had trouble with mine a few months ago in turning the motor over - often it would stall.
The battery was not the problem - it was the contact resistance of the starter relay.
I posted up somewhere how I got rid of the oxide on the relay contacts (just leaving for work so I can't search for it now).
Everything has been right as rain ever since

Of course it could be your battery but would be worth checking this first as it costs nothing.

... mine has died twice in the 3 weeks I've had the thing too. Mr AA man came out to start the recalcitrant cow and he did his van based battery of tests but found little amiss. Read the scary posts about rectifiers etc but am going to the dealer this weekend for an electrical MoT under warranty. Hopefully a battery replacement/upgrade will sort it.

http://www.apriliaridersite.com/viewtop ... light=merc

Thats all i cant find atm on the merc battery, I never could get the af1 search to work so maybe you have more luck

And d-rider ffs, whats easier. Browsing the web and ordering or getting off your arse and cleaning stuff Dont do today what you can put off 'till tommorow

Check your earthing points first. After that, make sure the connections on your battery terminals are nice and tight.

I found out the hard way

Bought a new battery and still had problems and it was due to the above reasons.

However if you still need a new battery then I highly recommend purchasing a Hawker Odyssey. It'll fit under the seat (just) but you'll have to do away with the battery clamp. No matter as the seat keeps it in place anyway

The cranking power of these batteries are great. I fitted mine back in October, haven't had it near an optimate etc and it started the other day no problem

I was going to do the wiring mod but now don't feel the need

Thanks all

Wemoto are pretty good - cheap too !

http://shop.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=5834185qqq25617

And maybe ripping out any alarm you may have fitted ? I may do that after spending a small fortune on batteries this winter. I dont know that its worth the saving on insurance when the bike gets this old (2001) and I do tend to carry other methods of security. Depends on whether you live in a dodgy area I suppose.

My problem is that my insurer, Carole Nash, will only insure the Falco third party only, until I get an immobiliser fitted.
I've had it for 4 months now, so I ought to get my arse into gear, but I keep hearing all these battery horror stories about alarms/immobilisers !
Is there a problem with Falco's, because they've never asked the question about me other bikes, which include a Fazer Thousand and a K1200S

simple solution for all - get an optimate untill you are really certain about the battery/charging state

best 40 quid i have spent in a while :)

(I say that and realise I have bought a few good things LOL - but optimate is quality!)

I got an optimate but bought a duff battery Optimate does a good job, but I asked it to do too much in looking after a shite battery with a datatool permanently on for 4 months. I'm allergic to going in the garage in the cold weather