Weak battery or is it a Ducati thing? - Ducati.ms

Alpinist · Jul 23rd, 2008, 7:39 pm

Hey fella's,
I bought a used HM (2400 miles). I'm new to Ducati's and twins. I'm use to in line fours.
Anyway, I have ridden the bike a couple times and have put a couple hundred miles on it.
When i start the bike, the battery seems to be struggling. This morning, I did not think it was going to start. Once the starter get moving, it starts right up.
It's pretty warm in VA. I think it would really be an issue when it gets colder.

Is this common or do I need a new battery? Maybe the alternator?

Thanks

MarksFriggin · Jul 23rd, 2008, 8:00 pm

I think the battery is pretty much crap. I keep my Hyper and my DR-Z400SM on a dual Battery Tender. The DRZ will be fully charged within 30 minutes after a ride. When I put the Hyper on the charger it takes hours and hours before it's fully charged.

HYPERR · Jul 23rd, 2008, 8:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarksFriggin

I think the battery is pretty much crap. I keep my Hyper and my DR-Z400SM on a dual Battery Tender. The DRZ will be fully charged within 30 minutes after a ride. When I put the Hyper on the charger it takes hours and hours before it's fully charged.

Really? After a ride, all my bikes turn the LED to green pretty much instantaneously on the Tender.

MarksFriggin · Jul 23rd, 2008, 9:13 pm

Yeah, that is pretty weird. I might have to point that out to my dealer when I bring it in for it's FOURTH visit for stalling.

Motard-Menace · Jul 23rd, 2008, 9:29 pm

Are you talking about the delayed kind of start as if its kind of like its winding up to crank over. Since you are new to Ducati's just wanted to make sure you are aware that when starting your HM you should just hit the starter button and release, it then cranks over itself and starts. You shouldn't have to hold the starter button in like on many bikes. I'm not sure if that is what you are describing but if that is the case, this is normal. I know on mine it kind of has a short delay while it is getting ready to crank over but I've never had an issue and I have never used a battery tender. I have a float charger for extended down time if needed but the HM has never sat for more then 7 days without being started.

tunefx · Jul 23rd, 2008, 10:21 pm

Alpinist,
I'm here in VA also. No problem like you describe. Good advice here in this thread. I also learned to check the battery cable connections and make sure they are tight. To get to the battery take the one bolt off on the back of the seat and pull the seat off (pullling toward the back of bike).

Welcome to the Hyper club. I'm new to the Duc as well. Everything I've learned has been from the great Hyperfolks on this forum.

lelenb · Jul 24th, 2008, 12:08 am

I was out of town for almost four weeks and my bike fired up just fine without being on the tender. In the winter I do keep it on the battery tender just to ensure that I have no problems because it did seem to struggle to start when I first got mine last Nov. I wonder if the bike will start easier now that it is broken in? Did you check the battery bolts, they are notorious for coming loose. I put a lock washer on the bolts and so far they have remained tight.

Alpinist · Jul 24th, 2008, 3:28 am

M-M,
I am holding the start button. If I push it and let it go, the bike would not start.
The 1st second I am holding the button is when it seems to struggle to turn the motor over.

Tune,
I was going to take the seat off. Is it suppose to be a 4mm allen wrench? The wrenches I have seem to fit the bolt very loosely and i can't get it to budge.
Scared I'm going to strip it.
I need to order a new bolt.

freezer16801 · Jul 24th, 2008, 3:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpinist

M-M,
I am holding the start button. If I push it and let it go, the bike would not start.
The 1st second I am holding the button is when it seems to struggle to turn the motor over.

Tune,
I was going to take the seat off. Is it suppose to be a 4mm allen wrench? The wrenches I have seem to fit the bolt very loosely and i can't get it to budge.
Scared I'm going to strip it.
I need to order a new bolt.

All you should need to do is press the starter button briefly. It starts a solenoid that handles things for you.

The starter on my hyper does turn over slower than japanese bikes that I've owned.

sakucee · Jul 24th, 2008, 5:27 am

Had this problem, it was loose battery cable (hard to start, engine cut off at 4000rpm). There is also factory recall for additional brace for battery mounting, check has this been done for your bike.