Recorrido por Mexico

[andydavis]

(2009 bought in October with 50K miles) I am getting ready to ride to Mexico next week and was just going over some nuts and bolts. I noticed the date on the battery = 2017! Unloaded voltage after sitting for a month is 12.18v. I am planning to ride about 7000 miles (out to Quintana Roo, down to Guatemala)...should I just get a new one here before I go? I hate to throw out something that is perfectly functional. I am anticipating the responses, "don't be such a f!cking cheapskate!"

[Steve398]

Speaking as a bloke who puts new tyres on before every 4000 mile summer tour, then I’d certainly put a new battery on. I’m sure sourcing one en route could be an experience best avoided.

Remember the motorcyclists maxim -
What can go wrong will go wrong, at the worst possible time!

From what I’ve read 3-5 years tends to be a typical battery life expectancy, and they can cause several seemingly unrelated problems.

Source your own battery rather than pay silly BMW prices.

[Ed Harley]

should I just get a new one here before I go?

Yes!

[andydavis]

well, it's 12.53v after riding for an hour, but..."it's the cheapskate what pays the most!" I just ordered a new AGM