Battery question

[mthee]

I've read that it's best to bring batteries in during really cold weather. Mine's a motobatt Absorbed Glass Mat battery with some really tight connections that I'd hate to have to redo - ever! I'm hoping that having it on a trickle charger will help, but is this just wishful thinking?

[iansoady]

My car battery stays outside regardless of temperature and it doesn't seem to do it any harm. I don't see why a bike battery should be any different.

Lithium ion may be different......

[SteveC#222]

I'm a wimp and take my bike off the road during the coldest weather ( spent enough time riding in it when I had to commute so now don't have too).

I usually take the battery off the bike while it's laid up and keep it on the garage bench where I top up the charge with trickle charger every couple of weeks. ( Mines a standard lead acid OE battery from Dave silver -- very cheap at £20!!!).

[iansoady]

Some bikes do seem to drain their batteries especially when an alarm is fitted.

Both the SLR650 and the Super Four seem to hold their charge very well without bothering to remove them although I do give a refresher charge every month or so.

[trophydave]

The Varta battery off my Triumph is sat in the house,the bikes laid up through the worst of the winter.However,the cheapo no-brand one in the CB500 is on the bike ready to ride,it gets an occasional top up with a charger if I remember to do it.

[timbo]

Ordinary batteries definitely go downhill faster in the winter months, especially if the bike isn't being used. I remove all batteries from bikes off the road, and store in the house, with a regular trickle charge. Always does the trick 

[JOOLZ]

I never had a problem leaving a battery over night in the cold, I suppose if the battery is getting on in its life an overnight trickle charge will help. I use a motobatt Absorbed Glass Mat battery, I think its the best battery I have come across, you shouldnt have any problems in the cold weather they seem to tolerate a lot of abuse, mine is 5 years old and sits in the house for 6 months I dont even bother to trickle charge it, its always fine when I come to start my bike

[BrendanO]

I think Timbo hits the nail on the head - it's all about bikes lying unused for a while over winter. That said, I don't bother removing batteries from my (garaged) bikes and I only use some of em over Winter. Bit lazy with the trickle charger too, but have kickstart for the less-used bikes, and live on a hill.