Is this the battery?

Question

I've been having problems with my HIDs flickering when the starter was running but the engine isn't (in other words when the clutch is in and it's in gear ready to go but hasn't been started yet) if you start the bike in time they stop flickering and eventually level out, if you don't they just go out and I can restart them with the switch when the bike is running.

so I went to Vegas for my 21st a week ago and didn't ride my bike for a week, when I got back and turned it on the HID's barely made an effort to stay alive and died almost immediately, they were really anal for a few days and now that i'm riding every day again they seem to be getting much better.

This must be a bad battery, right??

when the HIDs flicker the whole bike flickers, as in instruments, turn signals, everything, it's like it's not drawing enough juice.

I got some glowlights for my birthday that I'm putting on today and I'm worried about getting enough power.

sorry this is so long, thank you!

Answer 1

glowlights are g*y. why are you putting

that c**p on your bike.

Answer 2

if you suspect a battery, replace it. (it's only $50)

also check your charging system... HID's draw a lot of voltage to start, but run on low current to stay on...

Answer 3

A battery will usually get weak and not start the bike, but you can often put it on a trickle charger and get a bit more life.

From your  exacting letter, I would suggest you drop bike off at local shop and tell them no rush in the repair.

You could spend a lot of time and still be confused.

Now go drink a beer and relax.

Answer 4

When a battery gets old and starts failing, the way you can tell is that it won't hold a charge.  If you ride it every day this is harder to see because you're charging it up every day.  If you leave it for a few days and it seems a lot weaker that means it's not holding its charge as well as it used to.  Eventually it will get to the point where it won't start after being left overnight.

So the way you describe it, it does sound like your battery is going.  Most people don't replace a battery until it won't start the bike when left overnight.  You can extend that time by leaving it on a trickle-charger overnight (or a 'Battery Tender').  But yes, eventually you're going to need a new battery.

Answer 5

When you are riding your motorcycle, do the lights stay on?  Or do they eventually go out?

You may not have a defective battery, you may be drawing too much power from it.

Get a volt ohm meter, and check the voltage when the motor is stopped, idle speed, and again at 3000 rpm. You may find it easier to install a volt meter, if it reads actual voltage, and not some crappy series of LEDS. If the voltage drops too much at idle or when the motor is stopped/lights on, consider putting in a a relay, with a direct link to the battery for the headlights.