Kelly’s Korner: Bad Battery Blues
Last Updated: December 1st, 2020
(The author by the Pacific Ocean, July 2012)
Ah, the joys of a dead motorcycle battery. And if you have little luck, like me, this particular situation will occur anywhere but in the comfort of your garage. Now, as the Arizona weather jumps from delightful to ridiculous, it’s time to think about back-up plans in case your bike’s battery goes flat. Not that YOU’D ever leave your key in the on position because you know the proper shut down procedure (Thumb-Key-Valve)!
I know of what I speak. The first time my Triumph died on me – and, sadly, not the last, since we are talking British engineering here – happened at the intersection of Alma School and the 202; the temperature had just hit 108 degrees. (While I stood in the skinny shade of the corner light pole waiting for my husband and the trailer, a woman in an air-conditioned BMW handed me a cold bottle of water and a cop, less attentive, stopped just to chat about the fun of riding. Uh huh.) The second time happened at Horse Thief Mile at Willow Springs International Raceway. Fortunately, Rev Moto’s Mikey Nagy (get a load of that lean angle starting at 6:40) came to my rescue at the last minute with a fresh battery and saved my track weekend.
In both instances, my Plan B tactics amounted to desperate phone calls. That’s not the best way to approach motorcycling, so here are some potentially more effective suggestions for dealing with a dead battery:
Bump-start. There’s little point in my trying to explain what Cycle World already has done so well; thus, for pointers about bump-starting your bike, check out this link. Keep in mind, though, that the battery on a fuel-injected bike needs to have a little amperage for this method to work. If it doesn’t, move on down this list.
Friends, spouses or acquaintances with trailers. Self-explanatory, I believe. Of course, it’s smart to invest in thank-you beer or dinner or gas money or whatnot. Make yourself known as the appreciative and thoughtful rider because, inevitably, you will need help again.
Insurance. Some policies cover motorcycle towing. Feel free to ask Rusty Creed, the coolest insurance agent ever who also happens to sponsor TEAM Arizona, for advice. (He also saved my husband and me $1,700 a year, I believe it was, so just giving him a call could save you money, regardless.)
American Motorcyclist Association. All but three of the organization’s memberships feature roadside assistance and cover incidents such as dead batteries. The AMA comes in handy when you’re far from home and/or anyone with a trailer. Plans with roadside assistance start at $49 per year if you sign up for automatic renewal.
Those are just a few ideas. What would you add? And how are you planning to combat the wretched Arizona heat on your bike? I’d love to hear from you; EMAIL ME HERE.
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