Battery is dead again - WTF?

[FalcoLion]

My bike is only 6 months old but my battery was already replaced under warranty. Originally I thought that due to the fact that original battery sat to long it could not hold the charge. Well, the new one was installed under warranty and now less than 2 months later its drained again. I ride my bike regularly and at least once/twice a week. I actually rode it yesterday and it was Ok even though it cranked somewhat slow but the bike started Ok. When I would check my voltage while the bike is off it would never show me more than 11.2 - 11.3 volts. When bike is running - about 13.2 volts. I have seen a thread on how to modify Futura wiring but can't find it now. Would such mod will be acceptable for Falco? Should I just get another better battery? What brand and what kind should I look for? I am sure I can still get this battery replaced under warranty. Should I just pay a small difference to a dealer and get a different kind?

Another weird problem that I continue to experience is that my bike cuts out while riding. Couple of times the engine just shut down and "EFI" was flushing. But recently as 2 days ago, while riding I felt loss of power and "EFI" started flushing for about 5-10 seconds but engine didn't die just somewhat coughed. I kept going and "EFI" cleared up and everything was Ok again. Very weird. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have 03' Falco that is derestricted, wire cut and RSC SL-Carbon chip and pipes are installed.

Thanks
Vlad

:peace:

[falcostan]

there was a thread on batteries a while ago, reckon u should get ur present one replaced foc. abetter brand may help, u may have a charging prob. efi seems a popular problem too. does prob go away when u use clutch ? it did for me. id been touring ireland and was pissing down as usual when this prob occurred, two wire switch may have got water logged. good luck mate.

[JoeJoe]

I went to a Westco AGM battery and never had a problem. If u r getting 13.2 V from charging system, that seems to be ok. Could be a short, bad/loose connection or a bad battery. I would replace with the Westco just to eliminate the possibility. I had a discussion with a trusted racer and techie a while back, and he said the EFI/ECU needs more voltage to run than the engine. That could explain your symptoms.

[CarlosT]

I keep my Falco on the Battery Tender all the time. As soon as I pull infrom riding, it gets plugged in. I have had the weird EFI flashing/engine coughing/everything OK again once or twice but the bike never went dead on me. I'd check for a loose connection.

[FalcoDan]

I did the Futura mod, and my charging voltage is up about 1.5 volts. You should be able to find it on the Futura side, and the wires are the same. It's not trivial, though, and no dealer will do it for you. A Westco is also a plain-ole good thing. I think both together is the real solution.

Are you getting EFI flashing with any relation to moisture? Washing? Rain? Most sources of that hellish torture are either water, low voltage in the system, or a loose connection somewhere.

Good luck!

[FalcoLion]

I will try Futura mod. Also I will try to get Westco AGM battery under warranty and maybe pay the difference to my dealer. Where can I buy this battery if dealer will not cover mine? I guess I should attribute "EFI" to low voltage but its only to calm myself down. I am realy at loss on this one. Checked wires and noting is loose and wasn't washed.

:peace:

[Befbever]

I had a Falco for 3 years before getting the Fut. Wish I'd have known about this mod then, Falcolion, might have saved me a battery.

As the ad says: just do it. You've nothing to lose at this point. Good luck.

[Tee-Dub]

Check your battery terminal connections and make sure they are tight and not corroded. Turn off your highbeams (if you ride with them) about a block before the house, and consider a battery tender. I ride daily and only use my tender for periods where I'm out of town, or if the weather is really awfull and haven't had any problems in 6k miles. I do notice however that the motor turns over much quicker and fires much quicker when I've just taken it off the tender.