Dead Battery on 2011 RT with only 1K miles..HELP?

[myspy2011]

We love our Spyder....however, went to start her up and there was a dead battery. Called the local BRP mechanic and brought it in. The mechanic stated that the charging system was fine, but mentioned that the Spyder drinks battery juice even when it is shut off with no key in it, and that it was normal. He suggested that we buy a trickle charger. It is my opinion that this mechanic was under-educated about these bikes (but that's my opinion). How am I supposed to go on a road trip if I have to plug my bike into a wall when I'm not riding it? And to top it off, BRP wouldn't cover the cost for the mechanic to look at it!! Has this happened to anyone? I mean this is a new vehicle, I don't think it normal for this to happen, really? We're truly frustrated by this....this has happened twice!!! and yes the 600 mile tune-up was performed on it. Any suggestions...please advise..

[Leatherneck]

I think the battery has a 6 month free replacement warranty. Our battery died after 3 months and wouldn't hold a charge. It was only able to put out 26 amps. My dealer replaced it for free and said they had had a bunch of bad batteries over the past couple of years. IMHO, the amount of juice drawn by a spyder sitting is minimal and shouldn't cause a problem unless it is sitting for a few weeks. There are several replacement batteries available and if yours is not covered by warranty, you may consider a jell cell of the same size.

[Paladin]

It's true they suck juice like no ones business

I was told to keep it on trickle if you even leave it for a couple of days so I bought Battery Tender 800, it supposed to be one of better ones for bikes
I have had to use it a couple of times when I was playing around figuring stuff out, but so far other than that have not had to use as I run everyday

[Bob Denman]

NoNoNoNoNo... The dealer simply didn't do their job before delivery and actually charge the battery up for you... Tell them that you want a new battery and to charge it before you have it installed.

That having been said... I didn't plug my RT in at all last summer. I used a Battery Tender over the winter to keep things up to snuff though... This summer though I have plugged in once because most of my trips have been just around Town and I know that I haven't been running my RT far enough to charge it up fully...

[oldeagle]

Hi! I have also been having so battery problems with my spyder, twice now I have had to jump the bike, because the battrey was low. I also want out and got a battery tender, to stop this from happend again. if my bike stays in the garage all week, and on saturday i go to start it, the battery does not have the power to start the eagine. So I am hopeing the tender works. will let you all know if it does. On a side note the wife still has not giving me back my spyder yet , but thats ok she is having a ball using it. LOL

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that your Bride is enjoying your new toy! Take a couple of minutes and check to make sure that your battery terminal connections are good and tight... Unless she's not taking it out on the road where it's got enough time to charge things up I can't believe that a Battery Tender needs to be kept in the frunk at all times...

[RGVSpyderGirl]

My 2011 Spyder RT only has 284 miles on it and battery was dead this morning. Jump started it with B&D Electromate but really! I don't have my license yet so can't ride as much as I want to. Have to go all the way from the Rio Grande Valley to San Antonio to take a 3 wheeler class this Sunday. That's the bad news. The good news is I bought my Spyder at South Texas Suzuki in Lytle, TX, near San Antonio, and they are going to loan me a Spyder to take my test. I'm glad to hear there is a warranty on the battery and will insist on another one when I take it in for 600 mile checkup.

[bill steele]

You should not have to put your bike on a charger or have to jump start it if it has been sitting for a few days. You have either a bad battery or your charging system is not putting out enough voltage to keep the bike running and charge the battery. I own a 09 R S model and have never had to charge the battery even if I have not run the bike for 10 to 12 days You may want to look for some item on the RT model that doesn't turn off with the key or a loose connection on the battery or loose connection in the charging system also check for a faulty ground this will also cause your bike not to start. PS have the starter check it may have a higher than normal resistance and the battery can not turn it over.

[oldeagle]

Hi bob, we are going to have the battery replaced at the 600 miles check-up next week, and yes my wife put all them miles on my bike, dam her, lol
we have a trip this weekend that is a 110 mile lop on some really nice roads in New Jersey, all two lane and only 50 mph overlooking the beaches. On a side note the bike is hers now, i just got a new fatboy low for giving it up , was a nice trade off for me. But I still get to use her bike at times, like getting gas lol and O-joy i still have to clean it too, lol

[Bob Denman]

Well I'm sorry to hear that your Spyder is now only yours for cleaning and fueling purposes! By keeping your Wife happy I'm sure that there are more than enough benefits to make up for it!
Let us all know if the new battery solves this issue! GOOD LUCK!