Too Cold to Start or Need Starter???

[c1fer]

To the point:

Its November in San Francisco, not too cold. maybe 50's in the AM.

I charged my Battery all night (over 10 hours). Also filled the water level first.

When I replace the battery and start my 99' M900, the clutch barely turns over. Like maybe half a turn.

I turn off the ignition and repeat.  Sometimes it will start, but the last 2 days it didnt. even when I have the battery charged clamped onto the battery.

1. is it just too cold?
2. Do I need a new Starter?
3. Do I need a new Battery?
4. Do I need to wrap an electric blanket around my engine??

Does someone need to explain to me the mechanics of a cold start?

Thanks

[Speeddog]

How old is the battery?

[Howie]

Fully charge the battery and take it to a shop to have it load tested.  If it fails the load test, replace it.  It is not too cold.

[c1fer]

i have a feeling its the battery too...  I will have it tested. it's almost 2 years old or older.

By the way, I did noticed that when the battery was drained this summer, the water levels were very low.

is there a "no maint" battery for motorcycles where you don't have to fill it with water all the time??

Thanks

[c1fer]

One more thing...

Where can I buy a Battery tonight, after 6PM.

in BERKELEY, OAKLAND East Bay???

Thanks

[Speeddog]

One more thing...

Where can I buy a Battery tonight, after 6PM.

in BERKELEY, OAKLAND East Bay???

Thanks

Post up in the San Francisco board:
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=19.0

[victor441]

One more thing...

Where can I buy a Battery tonight, after 6PM.

in BERKELEY, OAKLAND East Bay???

Thanks

Cycle Gear SF is open until 7.....FWIW the Santa Rosa store had the correct Yuasa for my Monster, would not go w/ a cheap battery, the new one my bike came with failed within months...the Yuasa was expensive but worth it in my experience

[Teutonics]

Probably the battery, but one other suggestion:  check all the connections (cables to battery, cable to starter, etc.) and clean to remove corrosion and ensure contact.  I've had bad connections produce the same results before.

[c1fer]

Berkeley Yamaha / Honda: Yuasa YB16AL-A2, $89.00

And wouldn't you know it, a storm rolls in and for the next 4 days..lol

[greenmonster]

But did it start w new battery?

[DG]

Live in AZ and leave both Ducs on Bat Tenders for days and they won't start when sleeping in a cold garage.
Roll them into the sun for an hour or so and BOOM...no problem.  Bats are young and full so I say the Duc doesn't like the cold. Big pistons & small battery. Starter takes almost all the amps the bat can store and will draw it near dead with a few start attempts. Had a mech buddy give me a good tip tho...take the engine to frame ground wire off and install one of a larger gage.  It seems to have helped as larger wire provides less resistance  The bikes seem to crank harder & faster and the battery doesn't fall flat on numerous attempts.
2-bits complete...good luck!
PS: Walker-Odessey makes a great battery. No sevice-no water-works in any position except upside-down! 

[Greg]

Might help to swap out the battery/starter cables with some heavier duty units to let more current through.