Monster 1200 Batt Drain

[Laava]

Is it normal for this bike to drain the battery in a week to the point where it won't start? Batt has been tested a couple of times and is 2 months old. I know that people are going to tell me to get a tender/smart charger but really, one week? The one disappointing thing about this bike so far...

[koko64]

No that's not normal or acceptable. Something is wrong with your battery or charging system.

[xcaptainxbloodx]

Ive seen batteries do that.  do you have anything hooked up that would add to the parasitic draw the bike already has?  something like a radar detector or phone charger that goes direct to the battery?

Whats the weather like in your area? batteries like to be at 65-90 (F) anything above or below that will contribute to the degradation of the battery, so if you are in phoenix and its 120 in the non-insulated/vented garage you keep the bike in I can definitely see the battery dying fast.

the boiler plate response is to get the bike checked out, but if this only happens after the bike sits for a week then I think the answer is going to be battery.   There is a chance that the battery was not filled and charged correctly (OEM Yuasa I assume?)  but if that was the case then you would have a no start a lot more often. 

How long are your rides?  it takes about 20 minutes of riding to recoup the drop from starting the bike.

If you are able to keep it on a tender I would do it.  I always tell people to run a float tender, 60$ tool to maintain a $115 battery just makes sense on its own, plus you dont miss out on a ride.

[Laava]

Thanks guys, weather is pretty mild in my area. (Northern NZ) We get maybe two frosts a year in winter (now) and it won't go above 30C in summer. I ride all year round at least once a week and often to 200km plus rides. Concensus seems to be from people on the facebook page I am part of that it is normal for the battery to go flat after one week.  I still think that is pretty poor but if I have to buy a tender then so be it. The bike is pretty awesome to ride!

[ducpainter]

Have you checked the draw with an ammeter? It doesn't seem normal to me.

[Howie]

No normal!  I don't know he official spec for your bike, b a good general spec is .060 ma.  Or, if he bike is still under warranty...

[Laava]

So it is going into the local yamaha shop on mon... I spoke to a guy there who immediately flagged the usb that has been installed. He thinks that if it has been directly connected to the batt instead of an aux power source, then it will be the culprit. He is pretty sure, and is not full of it in my dealings with him. Fingers crossed, as much as the idea of a tender makes sense, I don't feel like I should need one...

[Howie]

The USB is a drain, but you should still get more than a week.

[Laava]

Thanks Howie, will keep you posted!

[Stuka Pilot]

To the original Q, no that is definitely not normal. Mine gets left for months during the winter in the UK and fires up no problem.

I would be astonished if a USB port creates that drain too. Is something plugged into it permanently or is it just idle?

[Laava]

Idle, and my mechanic/workshop foreman is not surprised. No doubt there are some that drain continuously and others that sense when the power is needed and so are not a problem...
On my v strom I fitted a power outlet under the seat that can handle 30 amps load and is switched with the ign. Best thing ever for these add ons. Not that there is much room under the seat on a monster!

[Laava]

Ok, so they tested it and yes it was the usb add-on drawing 0.1 amps fulltime... So I get it back tomorrow and hope that is the end of things that I need to fix!