Sluggish starter

[bloodbikes]

Hi guys,
Rode the bike on Sunday, all fine, came to go on it Monday noon, wouldn't start, put it down to battery as previously to Sunday hadn't been on her for a month. Put battery on charge, tried to start it after 4 hours on charge, it started but albeit sluggishly, which again I put down to not enough juice in the battery, left it on charge overnight and started it today, it isn't the usual prompt turnover it somehow struggled but fired ok and ran as sweet as ever.
Am I thinking that the starter motor could be on its way out, or it needs a new battery?
Any advise please

 

[Brock]

Its most likely the battery, see what voltage the battery drops to on start, if below 10V (on the voltmeter on the left) battery has died. The bike doesnt like sitting for a month with out starting, the clock does slowly drain the battery.

If you are going to leave the bike unridden for some time, then a battery tender of some sort is needed to keep the electrons moving. If left idle, the sulphirc acid reacts with the lead plates and forms an insoluble coating of lead sulphate.

[bloodbikes]

Just started it to check, it's in the red when I turn the key, but it started, just and went to 14 amps when running.

 

[bloodbikes]

If it is the battery, how much to replace and what's the best sort to go for?

 

[Brock]

Thats 14Volts, so thats OK on the Alternator, battery is had it.

You could try you local Supercheap, Honda dealer, Battery World. Battery world will probably be the most expensive.

[Shaun]

I have my one off the old ST still. i have been topping it up every week. Not far from new either.

[Biggles]

If it is the battery, how much to replace and what's the best sort to go for?

 

They start at around $90.  If you can go an extra $60 or so, a basic Lithium battery will overcome the infrequent starting issue.

There's more info here:
http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=8035.msg92760#msg92760

and here:
http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=8661.msg100812#msg100812