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Suspected kickstand / sidestand issue - but it might not be.

238 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  jbrowne06
Hi,
I have a 2011 F800R which I am very happy with, usually. It is always parked up on the sidestand/kickstand and up until now I have started the bike and run the engine whilst on the stand, and left it to warm up. Recently though - starting the engine became sporadic, sometimes the starter moror would engage and sometimes it would not. When it does not start, I can hear a clicking noise from somewhere near the battery. I have tried standing the bike up and not using the side stand, but it does not change anything, it just clicks without the starter engaging. The battery is less than a year old, the bike is used quite regularly and if not used for a few weeks I keep the battery charged, it never takes very long to charge, so I do not think it is the battery.

Any ideas / help please.
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It sounds like a dying battery to me. I have had two new Chinese-manufactured batteries recently fail to keep a charge for more than a few days before dropping below 12V. Battery quality control has sucked during Covid and I don't think they are very fresh or stored well by the time they reach the American consumer.
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I'd check battery lead/terminals before condemning the battery (and spending money), I'd certainly remove battery leads, clean and retighten before anything else. But would agree with Richard that most likely culprit is failed/failing battery.
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I just checked the battery with a voltmeter, after charging, which did not take long it was reading 12.2 volts, that should be OK I thought?
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I just checked the battery with a voltmeter, after charging, which did not take long it was reading 12.2 volts, that should be OK I thought?
That's low, link below suggests AMG 12v lead acid should have 12.89v when fully charged.

Lead Acid Battery Voltage Charts (6V, 12V & 24V) - Footprint Hero
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12.2 is way too low of a resting voltage after charging assuming you aren't having freezing temperatures right now in France. You almost definitely need a new battery. One more thing to also check is the voltage while the engine is running. It should be about 14.2. If it is much lower than that, then you should also do some follow up test on your stator.
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Thank you, I think that you are right. I have disconnected the battery and will take it in to be tested, but yes, I think you are right. It is 25°C here....
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