Tracker for a start. Although it's pretty low drain it'll use a bit and if the bikes been sitting for a while or only used on short runs the battery won't get sufficient charge
ok quick update - the Ducati assistance guy came yesterday, jumped started the bike and then I rode it for a bit. value was less than 12, then when I left the bike it was 12.5. he checked the battery with some special tool and apparently it wasn't faulty. he also checked if I had some unexpected drain with the bike off, and I i hadn,t. still, this morning the bike started, but battery was already showing 12, and in fact my biketrac sent me a message already at 1.20 to tell the voltage was low (<12.2). so I guess the freaking battery is gone for good....
Do you have an Optimate or equivalent? CTek are good... It's important to charge the battery correctly when new for it to give it's best. If this wasn't done, as suggested by @JenC, it's possible the battery may not charge properly off the bikes charging circuit. Before replacing the battery, unless the dealer will do that, get yourself an intelligent charger and let it do its thing on your battery.
unfortunately I don't....because I don't have a garage. the bike is well under warranty so I like to think the dealer will make no problems in changing it?
do you think I could buy the Ctek XS 0.8 and charge/recondition the battery at home? is it worth trying? is that what you recommend using/doing? thanks!
Has to be worth a try. If the dealer does give you a new battery, as soon as you get home, stick it on charge to make sure it's good to go.
I've worked in the bike trade for over twenty years......although PDIs should be done by the book,there's usually too much demand on 'getting bikes out' for the customers...therefore the batteries on brand new bikes have very little charge in them.In a perfect world,they are meant to be trickle charged overnight.Same as when you buy a battery over the counter,it HAS to be charged overnight on a trickle charge to get optimum performance. When I put my bike away for winter,I just remove the battery and leave it indoors.Once the bike is ready to be ridden the battery starts it first time,although I do own an Optimate,I hardly ever use the thing,and when I have it's been for my car!
The bike was bought from Snells late last year. Snells (in my and many other people's experience) are very good so I'd be surprised if they cut a corner especially so late in the year. It's much more likely that over the 7 months with less than 100 miles of riding a month, being outside and never seeing a battery charger, that it's in need of a bloody good charge or it may be that the battery has given up. I can't imagine that this would go through with Ducati as a warranty issue but good luck. I'm sure Snells will do their best for you either way
I completely agree and they give me the idea of being very good with customers. not sure why battery would not be part of warranty. nowhere in the manual it details a minimum usage standard (as much as I understand they would need more use). if battery fails after 7 months, unless I have left lights on or something grossly wrong, I would expect a new battery, simples. but I am tempted to buy a Ctek.... battery as it is doesn't seem to hold charge correctly but still in observation now... biketrac is now giving me a 12V reading!!
Usually batteries aren't covered by warranty....but any dealer worth his salt should change it with a FULLY charged one out of good customer service.If your bike isn't used for long periods of time,then you either need to take it off the bike (the battery obv) and keep it indoors,or get an optimate lead fitted and keep it on that.
btw I am not even sure how long the battery of the biketrac would last without the "fallback" of the main bike battery. does anyone know if it's possible to remove it without compromising the biketrac functioning? provided I wouldn't need (I guess) to keep the battery off for more than a day or two at a time?
Sorry mate I don't know,I've got the first 796HM,and it's a bit more simple.The dealer you bought it from should be able to tell you this,and hopefully resolve it for you too,good luck. Working as a service manager,although it was Yamaha and Triumph....it's all about customer satisfaction,more than it's ever been.....so make sure they look after you!
First serivice after 7 months? The thing needs a good thrash..... ive run my 899 in over 4 rides/3weeks with a holiday of 10days in between. Ride it or buy a optimate would be my advice
