Motorcycle Won't Start After Cold Weather

After an intense bout of cold weather, my motorcycle will not start. I assume it is the battery. When I try to use the electric start, it just makes a whirring sound like 'rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh' and then quits out, if it even does that. That part is what has me concerned that maybe the starter was damaged.

Yeah, battery. Cold zaps the hell out of 'em and that's when they're more likely to die when old. That's why they're rated in CCA, cold cranking amps. You can take it to any nearby auto parts store and they can run a quick test on it too.

Many people buy "battery tenders" for the winter, if they can't keep them warm and/or regularly start them; which any cycle shop will happily sell you. That reminds me, winter came early, I'd better fire mine up. And cover it.

LiquidMantis wrote:

Yeah, battery. Cold zaps the hell out of 'em and that's when they're more likely to die when old. That's why they're rated in CCA, cold cranking amps. You can take it to any nearby auto parts store and they can run a quick test on it too.

Yeah, it was never a good battery to begin with. Thanks, LiquidMantis and beep. I think I'll just get a battery tender myself and do the work. It would be useful to have around. I might actually need to get a new battery since this one kicked the bucket as soon as a cold breeze hit it.

See, my motorcycle is my main form of transportation, so I'll be needing it throughout the winter. This one has been just unusually cold and harsh.

Are you looking to winterize the bike now? I found a trickle charger works well to keep the battery working come spring.

Secret Asian Man wrote:

Are you looking to winterize the bike now?

No, I will be riding it during the winter.

ZaneRockfist wrote:
Secret Asian Man wrote:

Are you looking to winterize the bike now?

No, I will be riding it during the winter.

You sir, are Badass.

I once drove my bike about an hour in low 40s upper 30s weather. The weather was warm during the day but dropped at night. I was in jeans and a t-shirt. That was a terrible experience. I can't imagine whats its like when its actually freezing out.

Secret Asian Man wrote:

I was in jeans and a t-shirt. That was a terrible experience. I can't imagine whats its like when its actually freezing out.

There's always the option to put on appropriate attire.

I went one winter without a top to my jeep. That was rough.

Secret Asian Man wrote:

You sir, are Badass.

I am not quite sure badass fits the image of a mad man driving a scooter during the winter. :3 I'll take it, though! The cold doesn't bother me, but its impact on my vehicle does.

This conversation is a good reminder. Just pulled mine off the tender, fired it up and ran it for a bit, then turned off the fuel and let the engine burn the gas out of the float bowls. Now she's back on the tender.

Be careful with cold weather riding. I went on a cold weather ride early in the morning with a friend like 2 years ago, and it almost ended badly. It wasn't even like snowing or anything, just cold. I was okay for most of it because my bike has a full fairing, and the engine actually runs pretty hot, but my buddy was on a cruiser without a windscreen wearing a half helmet. We decided (that is, I decided) to pull over at a dealership to warm up and look at some of the bikes in the showroom. He actually passed out while walking around (almost fell onto the blades of a dirt tiller, that would have been bad.)
Once we got a warm drink into him he was fine, but he ended up buying a windscreen and a full face helmet while we were there, and we started back once the sun had a chance to warm everything up. Good warm gear can definitely help keep the cold out, but really it's the wind that get's you. And wind will sneak into any gap it can find.

Good cold weather warning. I ride my scooter until it hits the 30's, but I have a windshield, bundle up thoroughly including a balaclava, and (perhaps most significantly) only commute a few miles and all on 35mph city roads.