jstone8952
Well-Known Member
Hi,
Im new here but Ive been lurking and reading for a while.
I got my 1st VMax about 4 months ago and absolutely love it. Only problem Ive had is what seems to be the all too common starting problems. When I bought the Max the P.O. had it on a battery tender and it started great, hot or cold, every time for the first month.
He was on hard times when he sold it and decided to keep his tender to make himself feel better about the deal, which was fine with me as I assumed the bike wasnt ridden much and I was going to be riding it every day, keeping the battery charged w no need for the tender.
After about a month I was riding home after a ~20 mile trip and it died at a stop light. I had a hot start issue with my GSXR, VF750 AND my GS700E, so I figured I'd wait a while, smoke a few cigs and try it after that, and it worked, but as soon as I pulled on the highway my damn fuel light came on so I pulled off for some $5/gal gas and the thing dies rolling into the gas station. Filled 'er up, hit the start and got a sluggish few turns of the starter, then a whole lotta clicking from my relay. The ride to the gas statio. should have been sufficient to charge the batt, so I figured the starter was hot and drawing too much to start.
Two hours, half a pack of Camels and two Redbulls later with no luck starting it I awkwardly lugged the 600lb monster to a side street and after a few failed attempts and a near drop I managed to push start it.
This situation happened 3 or 4 more times before I could scrounge the cash for a new battery as I thought this was the problem. Volt meter read 12V off, but dropped to 7 or 8 when trying to crank hot. I also took the starter out (what a stupid place to put a god damned starter!) and it looked fine inside, but I cleaned it up anyway.
New battery worked great for abt 3 weeks. I also bought a 1.5 amp tender and kept it on that if it was going to sit more than a few days. Bike now never starts when hot (I dont even try anymore) and occasionally wont start when left overnight.
Having now read my entire life story, Im sure youre ready for me to cut the BS and get to the point. I was wondering if anyone has ever run a capacitor in paralell with or in place of the battery on a VMax. Ive done a little searching and have seen on a few forums that it is possible to do both, but I have found the Max to be a quirky bitch and I dont want to run the risk of frying a harness if one of you geniuses has already fried yours for me.
Thank you for your time and any input!
-Kristofer
Im new here but Ive been lurking and reading for a while.
I got my 1st VMax about 4 months ago and absolutely love it. Only problem Ive had is what seems to be the all too common starting problems. When I bought the Max the P.O. had it on a battery tender and it started great, hot or cold, every time for the first month.
He was on hard times when he sold it and decided to keep his tender to make himself feel better about the deal, which was fine with me as I assumed the bike wasnt ridden much and I was going to be riding it every day, keeping the battery charged w no need for the tender.
After about a month I was riding home after a ~20 mile trip and it died at a stop light. I had a hot start issue with my GSXR, VF750 AND my GS700E, so I figured I'd wait a while, smoke a few cigs and try it after that, and it worked, but as soon as I pulled on the highway my damn fuel light came on so I pulled off for some $5/gal gas and the thing dies rolling into the gas station. Filled 'er up, hit the start and got a sluggish few turns of the starter, then a whole lotta clicking from my relay. The ride to the gas statio. should have been sufficient to charge the batt, so I figured the starter was hot and drawing too much to start.
Two hours, half a pack of Camels and two Redbulls later with no luck starting it I awkwardly lugged the 600lb monster to a side street and after a few failed attempts and a near drop I managed to push start it.
This situation happened 3 or 4 more times before I could scrounge the cash for a new battery as I thought this was the problem. Volt meter read 12V off, but dropped to 7 or 8 when trying to crank hot. I also took the starter out (what a stupid place to put a god damned starter!) and it looked fine inside, but I cleaned it up anyway.
New battery worked great for abt 3 weeks. I also bought a 1.5 amp tender and kept it on that if it was going to sit more than a few days. Bike now never starts when hot (I dont even try anymore) and occasionally wont start when left overnight.
Having now read my entire life story, Im sure youre ready for me to cut the BS and get to the point. I was wondering if anyone has ever run a capacitor in paralell with or in place of the battery on a VMax. Ive done a little searching and have seen on a few forums that it is possible to do both, but I have found the Max to be a quirky bitch and I dont want to run the risk of frying a harness if one of you geniuses has already fried yours for me.
Thank you for your time and any input!
-Kristofer