tractoring thruogh the shadows

[eddiebmauri]

The following question concerns my 03' KLR's battery, and has no political content what-so-ever. I do not know jack about mechanical stuff, batteries, or politics, so any info would be appreciated. Here is the history of events that leads to my question: I bought a new battery on 3-13-08 (some 7 months ago). The battery is a Motocross Extra brand. The maintenance fee battery that came with the KLR when I bought it had a burned cell. I bought my 03' KLR used, 3rd owner. August 5, 2008 (less than two (2) months after I bought the new battery) I checked the battery water and it was low. I did not measure the amount of water added back in Aug., but is was at least five (5) ounces of water. I added Distilled Water. I lost some 5 oz of water in some two (2) months! I realize that the summer heat in Louisiana can evaporate water, and riding in the summer has an effect too. But, I had not been riding my KLR all that much for 5 oz. of water to evaporate due to summer heat or riding? I checked the water today, and I was again 5 oz. low on water. And, again, I have not been riding all that much! Since March 08' when I bought the new battery, I have had to add some ten (10) ounces of water! I also bought a Battery Tender in March, and have used it since. So, now my questions, does this rate of water loss sound about normal for a KLR's battery? Specifically, to burn off some 5 oz. of water roughly every other month? Could the battery tender be burning the water off? Is it a problem for the battery to have to add some 5 oz of Distilled Water every 2-3 months? How many of you have had a similar experience with water loss, in the battery? What bothers me most is that I don't want to have to check the battery every other month. If that is the nature of the beast, and a part of the price one pays to ride a KLR, so be it. I wonder if the problem is maybe the battery changer/tender? Any info would be appreciated. And, thanks. Eddie (03' KLR - "la poderosa")

[Richard Bessey]

Eddie, I suffer from similar issues. I have resorted to: Put trickle charger on the bike about once per month. I think my brake lights are sticking and comsuming too much power. Every oil change, sometimes less I will pull the battery and top it off. Its often low, I have not measured how much I put it in, but its a fair amount. I have not figured out if the bike boils the battery and evaporates the water, or if its just natural evaporation, or if I fall over too often, its hard to know for sure. Regardless, something I live with. -- Regards, Richard Bessey System Administrator Vivio Technologies eddiebmauri wrote:

> > The following question concerns my 03' KLR's battery, and has no > political content what-so-ever. I do not know jack about mechanical > stuff, batteries, or politics, so any info would be appreciated. > > Here is the history of events that leads to my question: > > I bought a new battery on 3-13-08 (some 7 months ago). The battery is > a Motocross Extra brand. The maintenance fee battery that came with > the KLR when I bought it had a burned cell. I bought my 03' KLR used, > 3rd owner. > > August 5, 2008 (less than two (2) months after I bought the new > battery) I checked the battery water and it was low. I did not > measure the amount of water added back in Aug., but is was at least > five (5) ounces of water. I added Distilled Water. > > I lost some 5 oz of water in some two (2) months! I realize that the > summer heat in Louisiana can evaporate water, and riding in the summer > has an effect too. But, I had not been riding my KLR all that much > for 5 oz. of water to evaporate due to summer heat or riding? > > I checked the water today, and I was again 5 oz. low on water. And, > again, I have not been riding all that much! > > Since March 08' when I bought the new battery, I have had to add some > ten (10) ounces of water! I also bought a Battery Tender in March, > and have used it since. > > So, now my questions, does this rate of water loss sound about normal > for a KLR's battery? Specifically, to burn off some 5 oz. of water > roughly every other month? Could the battery tender be burning the > water off? Is it a problem for the battery to have to add some 5 oz > of Distilled Water every 2-3 months? > > How many of you have had a similar experience with water loss, in the > battery? What bothers me most is that I don't want to have to check > the battery every other month. If that is the nature of the beast, > and a part of the price one pays to ride a KLR, so be it. I wonder if > the problem is maybe the battery changer/tender? > > Any info would be appreciated. And, thanks. > > Eddie (03' KLR - "la poderosa") > >

[Dan Bittner]

Hey Eddie, Both of my KLR's gassed water out of the batteries during hot weather riding. If I knew I would be riding more than a 1000 miles, say on a multi day trip, I would always carry a couple of 8 ounce bottles of distilled water with me and needed it too. I think about the only thing you can do is get a totally sealed battery, like an AGM, which is what I use, put it in and forget it. I doubt your battery tender has much to do with your problem, it's just the nature of the KLR. Oh, and you might want to check the end location of the battery vent hose to make sure the ejected acid isn't eating the bottom of your swing arm or other components. Good luck with it. Dan Bittner Sacramento, Ca.

----- Original Message ----- From: eddiebmauri To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 9:38 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Battery Water Usage Question (snipped) So, now my questions, does this rate of water loss sound about normal for a KLR's battery? Specifically, to burn off some 5 oz. of water roughly every other month? Could the battery tender be burning the water off? Is it a problem for the battery to have to add some 5 oz of Distilled Water every 2-3 months? How many of you have had a similar experience with water loss, in the battery? What bothers me most is that I don't want to have to check the battery every other month. If that is the nature of the beast, and a part of the price one pays to ride a KLR, so be it. I wonder if the problem is maybe the battery changer/tender? Any info would be appreciated. And, thanks. Eddie ._,_.__ List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity a.. 12New Members Visit Your Group Health Zone Look your best! Groups to help you look & feel great. Yahoo! News Odd News You won't believe it, but it's true Yahoo! Groups w/ John McEnroe Join the All-Bran Day 10 Club. . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Charlie Y]

I dont have any pictures , and I probably could have dragged it by hand, but I found it much more expedient to drag the old rohododendron stump down to the compost heap by KLR tractor power. Never used it for yard work before, however I think I could use it to rototill the garden next spring pretty easy , too. -- C

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dooden" To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 7:52 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: tractoring thruogh the shadows > > Kinda was expecting maybe a KLR ( or some other bike) to be tractored > through the woods or something.