Dead bike! Resurrection help needed.

[rtallent]

Here's what's happening:

After about a week of not being able to ride, I took the bike to work and noticed an odd thing -- the computer was showing an mpg estimate 6 mpg lower than when I parked the bike. The estimate approached normal as I rode to work. After work, the estimate was again much lower than when I parked it and again it rose toward normal as I rode home.

A few days later I turned the key and... nothing! Voltage was about 6V. I charged the bike to 11.6 on a Battery Tender and left it. A few days later, dead again. This morning I recharged the battery and went to start the bike. It clicked a few times but would not turn over. On the third try it showed an EW5 error code.

What is EW5? And more importantly, what do I do about it?

Any help greatly appreciated, I only have about month of riding left before I have to put her away for the winter!

[deilenberger]

You don't mention what year you have.. but it might be worthwhile to read some former posts.

There are a number of posts/threads on failure of the original battery. Sounds like what you have - and it should be under warranty.

Then for EWS - search and you'll find more than you ever wanted to. Have the dealer do the EWS service campaign while they're replacing the battery, although I suspect EWS was triggered due to low battery voltage, and not an EWS fault.

Oh - one more thing.. charging the battery to 11.6V - did that give a clue as to the battery condition? Just curious.. once a battery has dropped below 11V or so - it's pretty much garbage. I'd suggest in the future if the battery can't be gotten up to 12.6V on the charger that it's time for a new battery.

[rtallent]

You don't mention what year you have.. but it might be worthwhile to read some former posts.

There are a number of posts/threads on failure of the original battery. Sounds like what you have - and it should be under warranty.

Then for EWS - search and you'll find more than you ever wanted to. Have the dealer do the EWS service campaign while they're replacing the battery, although I suspect EWS was triggered due to low battery voltage, and not an EWS fault.

Oh - one more thing.. charging the battery to 11.6V - did that give a clue as to the battery condition? Just curious.. once a battery has dropped below 11V or so - it's pretty much garbage. I'd suggest in the future if the battery can't be gotten up to 12.6V on the charger that it's time for a new battery.

Thanks Don. I do remember seeing something earlier about battery failures, you must be right. Mine is a 2007 made in 1/07.

As for the EWS, right again! The antenna was replaced at the same time as the front brake fix and the software upgrade so it must be battery.

Thanks for the help. I'll have my dealer pick it up.

[ka5ysy]

Exide battery by any chance??

[rtallent]

Exide battery by any chance??

Yes sir, that is co-rect! I take it they have been an issue? What alternatives are there? Googling hasn't been helpful.

Interestingly, I left the battery on the charger for 2 days it got up to 13.2 volts (still low, I know) and the bike started. I won't have time to deal with this until this coming Wednesday, when I'll pull the battery and drive it down my dealer to swap it for a new one.