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Two years seems to be about the limit on a Falco battery in my experience. I have kept my present one topped up with an Optimate for the last two years. However, even if the charger says it's OK, the bike now seems reluctant to turn over. My question is - is the battery likely to be defunct after two years and therefore the Optimate is fibbing a bit when it puts the green light on?

Is the Optimate unable to tell the battery is weak, or is it likely to be something else wrong? A year ago, I had a new start relay fitted and the wiring was checked then and found to be in good condition.

What brand is it?
On a side note: have you done wiring mod?

Well mine is still on the original battery and it will be 6 yrs old this time round (must be a record?)

Always has been kept on the Optimate when not running though

F9

two years is poor for a good battery and you keep it charged up,if you ride every day even worse.if the optimate says the battery is ok it usually is.i'd make sure you hav'nt got a drain on the battery when it's stood.

Falco9 wrote:Always has been kept on the Optimate when not running though

Yeah, but how much in terms of your increased lecky bill and CO2 emissions did this cost?? I'm a hypocrite because I've just bought one of these beauties but I'm now beginning to question the sanity of such a purchase. These things have to be on all the time so at what cost to just save a cheap-ish battery from dying early? I'm stuck between a rock and possibly another rock........

https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=312

Doesnt help the battery life question posted above, but food for thought in place of buying an optimate, for those who have a ecological concience? (I dont btw..)

TwinNut wrote:

Falco9 wrote:Always has been kept on the Optimate when not running though

Yeah, but how much in terms of your increased lecky bill and CO2 emissions did this cost?? I'm a hypocrite because I've just bought one of these beauties but I'm now beginning to question the sanity of such a purchase. These things have to be on all the time so at what cost to just save a cheap-ish battery from dying early? I'm stuck between a rock and possibly another rock........

Yup, Fair point TN, to be honest I've never really given it too much thought, although I was always under the impression that the battery was only getting a very small (but constant) trickle charge.
Can't say I notived the lecky bill going up either, but seeing as I don't ride all year round that's my contribution to reducing my C02 emmisions

F9

My original battery is six years old and still performing well falcojock.
I now use it on another bike, however I replaced my falco battery last year with a new Vatra YTX14-BS as a precaution.

I noticed recently a club member had a YTX12-BS fitted to his falco, he bought the bike new in 03 and has had ongoing battery problems. Since replacing it with the YTX14-BS he has had no further bother.

I'm wondering if some falco's out there have been fitted with the wrong batteries at the dealer it would be worth a look.
Rsv's have been fitted with this lower power battery as standard maybe because of it's smaller dimensions.

In any event never leave your battery in a state of discharge for long periods it will have a much reduced life if you do.