Took the XJR for a pre French run MOT on Monday, managed a decent blast speed and lanes to get to he MOT station.
Handed keys to tester.
Bike wouldn't start.
Bike wouldn't start with booster! Wouldn't even turn over.
He put a test on it, 88% charged, output 1% ......... that's fucked then.
It would have been some time last decade when I last changed it.
Left it there and went home.
Epilogue -
It's now MOT'd and back home with a new battery. :-)
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10rnsl1$rp3c$1@dont-email.me:
Took the XJR for a pre French run MOT on Monday, managed a decent blast
speed and lanes to get to he MOT station.
Handed keys to tester.
Bike wouldn't start.
Bike wouldn't start with booster! Wouldn't even turn over.
He put a test on it, 88% charged, output 1% ......... that's fucked then.
It would have been some time last decade when I last changed it.
Left it there and went home.
Epilogue -
It's now MOT'd and back home with a new battery. :-)
that is my experience of AGM batteries
On my S1000XR, I had been out for a ride, Stopped a couple of times with no sign of sluggishness. Stopped to fill with petrol a mile from home. Battery completely dead when I went to start. Fortunately, I carry one of those
jump start packs so whipped the seat off, hooked it up, started the bike
and got home a few minutes later. This battery was 4 years old.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I
thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10rnsl1$rp3c$1@dont-email.me:
Took the XJR for a pre French run MOT on Monday, managed a decent blast
speed and lanes to get to he MOT station.
Handed keys to tester.
Bike wouldn't start.
Bike wouldn't start with booster! Wouldn't even turn over.
He put a test on it, 88% charged, output 1% ......... that's fucked then.
It would have been some time last decade when I last changed it.
Left it there and went home.
Epilogue -
It's now MOT'd and back home with a new battery. :-)
that is my experience of AGM batteries
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10rnsl1$rp3c$1@dont-email.me:
Took the XJR for a pre French run MOT on Monday, managed a decent
blast speed and lanes to get to he MOT station.
Handed keys to tester.
Bike wouldn't start.
Bike wouldn't start with booster! Wouldn't even turn over.
He put a test on it, 88% charged, output 1% ......... that's fucked
then.
It would have been some time last decade when I last changed it.
Left it there and went home.
Epilogue -
It's now MOT'd and back home with a new battery. :-)
that is my experience of AGM batteries
On my S1000XR, I had been out for a ride, Stopped a couple of times
with no sign of sluggishness. Stopped to fill with petrol a mile from
home. Battery completely dead when I went to start. Fortunately, I
carry one of those jump start packs so whipped the seat off, hooked
it up, started the bike and got home a few minutes later. This
battery was 4 years old.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I
thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.
I used to change the battery before a big trip, regardless of its age.
However the XJR is used so little now, things get forgotten. I've just checked and oil change was 450 miles/11 months ago !
Trying to work out the rear tyre, pretty sure it 2019 when I last
changed it. But that shows as over 6500 miles ago. And it is showing
4mm tread by the wear markers.
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:
that is my experience of AGM batteries
This happened to me just a fortnight ago. Bike started fine a couple
of months ago after a winter 'laid up' then a feeble attempt at
starting followed by... nothing!
Why should this happen with AGM rather than lead acid tho?
Trying to work out the rear tyre, pretty sure it 2019 when I last
changed it. But that shows as over 6500 miles ago. And it is showing 4mm tread by the wear markers.
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10rnsl1$rp3c$1@dont-email.me:
Took the XJR for a pre French run MOT on Monday, managed a decent blast
speed and lanes to get to he MOT station.
Handed keys to tester.
Bike wouldn't start.
Bike wouldn't start with booster! Wouldn't even turn over.
He put a test on it, 88% charged, output 1% ......... that's fucked
then.
It would have been some time last decade when I last changed it.
Left it there and went home.
Epilogue -
It's now MOT'd and back home with a new battery. :-)
that is my experience of AGM batteries
This happened to me just a fortnight ago.-a Bike started fine a couple of months ago after a winter 'laid up' then a feeble attempt at starting followed by... nothing!
"chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:n49ho2Fk0t2U2@mid.individual.net:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:
that is my experience of AGM batteries
This happened to me just a fortnight ago. Bike started fine a couple
of months ago after a winter 'laid up' then a feeble attempt at
starting followed by... nothing!
Why should this happen with AGM rather than lead acid tho?
AGM are lead acid. It is just the electrolyte is absorbed into the glass
mat but the basic chemistry is the same
apparently, it is the physical nature of the way the eletrolyte is held
that lets AGM hold a higher voltage for longer where wet batteries
discharge with a gradual voltage drop. AGM suddenly fail, wet get sluggish.
the mat structure also means the batteries sulphate less so resist
developing leakage between plates like a wet battery. Until the mat or
plate structure collpases causing a short, usually due to heat from overcharging
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10ro2h9$un7h$1@dont-email.me:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10rnsl1$rp3c$1@dont-email.me:
Took the XJR for a pre French run MOT on Monday, managed a decent
blast speed and lanes to get to he MOT station.
Handed keys to tester.
Bike wouldn't start.
Bike wouldn't start with booster! Wouldn't even turn over.
He put a test on it, 88% charged, output 1% ......... that's fucked
then.
It would have been some time last decade when I last changed it.
Left it there and went home.
Epilogue -
It's now MOT'd and back home with a new battery. :-)
that is my experience of AGM batteries
On my S1000XR, I had been out for a ride, Stopped a couple of times
with no sign of sluggishness. Stopped to fill with petrol a mile from
home. Battery completely dead when I went to start. Fortunately, I
carry one of those jump start packs so whipped the seat off, hooked
it up, started the bike and got home a few minutes later. This
battery was 4 years old.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I
thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.
I used to change the battery before a big trip, regardless of its age.
However the XJR is used so little now, things get forgotten. I've just
checked and oil change was 450 miles/11 months ago !
Trying to work out the rear tyre, pretty sure it 2019 when I last
changed it. But that shows as over 6500 miles ago. And it is showing
4mm tread by the wear markers.
hah!
same with my car. 8 years old, bought new in 2018 then changed jobs
shortly after so fewer work trips, more home working, then Covid then retiring. It has done under 17000 miles. Now about 1200 miles a year.
I had to change the tyres for the MOT last month as they had started to perish, especially the one that caught all that sun last summer. It
still has the OE battery but stop/start no longer works. I have to
charge it periodically as it does mostly short trips to Aldi & Tesco.
Big week for it this week. It's doing two 30 mile round trips to ferry
my brother around whilst his VW camper van is in for maintenance.
YTC1 wrote:
Trying to work out the rear tyre, pretty sure it 2019 when I last
changed it. But that shows as over 6500 miles ago. And it is showing
4mm tread by the wear markers.
Similar mileage and wear here, but was changed in June 2025 :-)
Tyre is a Metzeler Roadtec 02 - pretty sure the previous Roadtec 01 only
lasted around 7k miles altogether.
I have a 2.5-3k trip coming up in June so will get it changed, but it is annoying to be throwing away a tyre with useful life left.
I hope it isn't a diesel?
VW, the bill may hurt him.
Big week for it this week. It's doing two 30 mile round trips to
ferry my brother around whilst his VW camper van is in for
maintenance.
On 15/04/2026 15:37, Sqirrel99 wrote:
YTC1 wrote:
Trying to work out the rear tyre, pretty sure it 2019 when I last
changed it. But that shows as over 6500 miles ago. And it is showing
4mm tread by the wear markers.
Similar mileage and wear here, but was changed in June 2025 :-)
Tyre is a Metzeler Roadtec 02 - pretty sure the previous Roadtec 01
only
Bridgestone, BT023.
lasted around 7k miles altogether.
Normally I'd expect 7-7.5k, so it should be interesting to see the
wear level when I am back from Sedan.
I have a 2.5-3k trip coming up in June so will get it changed, but it
is annoying to be throwing away a tyre with useful life left.
If it is a square as mine, no problem :-)
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10roamr$11jm2$1@dont-email.me:One country I have not had new tyres fitted in :-)
On 15/04/2026 15:37, Sqirrel99 wrote:
YTC1 wrote:
Trying to work out the rear tyre, pretty sure it 2019 when I last
changed it. But that shows as over 6500 miles ago. And it is showing
4mm tread by the wear markers.
Similar mileage and wear here, but was changed in June 2025 :-)
Tyre is a Metzeler Roadtec 02 - pretty sure the previous Roadtec 01
only
Bridgestone, BT023.
lasted around 7k miles altogether.
Normally I'd expect 7-7.5k, so it should be interesting to see the
wear level when I am back from Sedan.
I have a 2.5-3k trip coming up in June so will get it changed, but it
is annoying to be throwing away a tyre with useful life left.
If it is a square as mine, no problem :-)
they have tyre shops in France
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at
200k as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
wessie wrote:
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at 200k
as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
I suspect VW believe that the 'lifetime' of the vehicle is somewhat less than 200k.
wessie wrote:
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at
200k as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
I suspect VW believe that the 'lifetime' of the vehicle is somewhat less than 200k.
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10rnsl1$rp3c$1@dont-email.me:I have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle to
Took the XJR for a pre French run MOT on Monday, managed a decent blast
speed and lanes to get to he MOT station.
Handed keys to tester.
Bike wouldn't start.
Bike wouldn't start with booster! Wouldn't even turn over.
He put a test on it, 88% charged, output 1% ......... that's fucked then.
It would have been some time last decade when I last changed it.
Left it there and went home.
Epilogue -
It's now MOT'd and back home with a new battery. :-)
that is my experience of AGM batteries
On my S1000XR, I had been out for a ride, Stopped a couple of times with no sign of sluggishness. Stopped to fill with petrol a mile from home. Battery completely dead when I went to start. Fortunately, I carry one of those
jump start packs so whipped the seat off, hooked it up, started the bike
and got home a few minutes later. This battery was 4 years old.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I
thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.
wessie wrote:
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at 200k
as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
I suspect VW believe that the 'lifetime' of the vehicle is somewhat less than 200k.
On 16/04/2026 08:53, Sqirrel99 wrote:
wessie wrote:
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at 200k
as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
I suspect VW believe that the 'lifetime' of the vehicle is somewhat less than 200k.
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I was
looking up EV stuff at the time.
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I was
looking up EV stuff at the time.
On 16/04/2026 21:40 PipL penned these words:
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been
US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I
was looking up EV stuff at the time.
I wonder if that's getting better or worse? There's obviously outliers
with starship mileage non turbo Lexus etc. But the average ties up
reasonably with the last one I bought new and finally gave away at
145k, it lasted a few months more and was then scrapped. OTOH the
company Sierra I had late 80s the engine was totally bollixed by about
2+ years and 90k miles, lease company took it back early and I bet
that was expensive the dolt who signed the lease put down for 10k a
year.
In article <n4cvpsF83q2U1@mid.individual.net>, PipL says...
On 16/04/2026 08:53, Sqirrel99 wrote:
wessie wrote:
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at 200k
as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
I suspect VW believe that the 'lifetime' of the vehicle is somewhat less than 200k.
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I was looking up EV stuff at the time.
My last car I sold at 204k miles. The current has nearly 150k miles on it and
I'm nowhere near to
getting my money's worth out of it yet.
boots <news@millhouse-communications.co.uk> wrote in news:10rsrjo$298v0$1@bilbo.eternal-september.org:
On 16/04/2026 21:40 PipL penned these words:
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been
US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I
was looking up EV stuff at the time.
I wonder if that's getting better or worse? There's obviously outliers
with starship mileage non turbo Lexus etc. But the average ties up reasonably with the last one I bought new and finally gave away at
145k, it lasted a few months more and was then scrapped. OTOH the
company Sierra I had late 80s the engine was totally bollixed by about
2+ years and 90k miles, lease company took it back early and I bet
that was expensive the dolt who signed the lease put down for 10k a
year.
I reckon it is getting worse
with the cost and complexity of components, the way vehicles are made and
the need for changes to be coded a lot of vehicles that could go on for
more years will be scrapped on economic grounds rather than fixed.
we'll probably end up like Cuba, with people trying to keep their Lexus or
30 year old Toyota Yaris going as you won't be doing bangernomics with a
Golf made in 2024 come 2040.
with the cost and complexity of components, the way vehicles are made and the need for changes to be coded a lot of vehicles that could go on for
more years will be scrapped on economic grounds rather than fixed.
we'll probably end up like Cuba, with people trying to keep their Lexus or 30 year old Toyota Yaris going as you won't be doing bangernomics with a Golf made in 2024 come 2040.
I'm really dreading the day I have to replace it, but if it keeps on
as it has, now that I'm retired and not commuting with it, it could conceivably outlast me.
with the cost and complexity of components, the way vehicles are made and
the need for changes to be coded a lot of vehicles that could go on for
more years will be scrapped on economic grounds rather than fixed.
we'll probably end up like Cuba, with people trying to keep their Lexus or
30 year old Toyota Yaris going as you won't be doing bangernomics with a
Golf made in 2024 come 2040.
The only touchscreen is the aftermarket radio
I put in because I wanted a backup camera, and it has a physical
volume knob so I don't have to take my eyes off the road to adjust
it. I hate the big touchscreens you have to use in new cars, even to
adjust the heater! All my controls are physical and that's obviously
best for a task where you need to keep your eyes up, not peering down
at a touch screen.
In reply to "wessie" who wrote the following:
boots <news@millhouse-communications.co.uk> wrote in
news:10rsrjo$298v0$1@bilbo.eternal-september.org:
On 16/04/2026 21:40 PipL penned these words:
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been
US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I
was looking up EV stuff at the time.
I wonder if that's getting better or worse? There's obviously outliers
with starship mileage non turbo Lexus etc. But the average ties up
reasonably with the last one I bought new and finally gave away at
145k, it lasted a few months more and was then scrapped. OTOH the
company Sierra I had late 80s the engine was totally bollixed by about
2+ years and 90k miles, lease company took it back early and I bet
that was expensive the dolt who signed the lease put down for 10k a
year.
I reckon it is getting worse
with the cost and complexity of components, the way vehicles are made and
the need for changes to be coded a lot of vehicles that could go on for
more years will be scrapped on economic grounds rather than fixed.
we'll probably end up like Cuba, with people trying to keep their Lexus or >> 30 year old Toyota Yaris going as you won't be doing bangernomics with a
Golf made in 2024 come 2040.
I sold my late Merc recently, at a huge loss, because I really can't be arsed with all the touchscreen swiping, prodding and wiping.
Back to good old switches on a much older moter.
You can't touch you phone when driving (rightly so) but you can spend hours playing with your touch screen jobby without looking at the road properly, and
that is techinically legal!
SMIDY, I was trying to set my AC temp!
On Apr 17, 2026 at 7:53:28 AM EDT, "Mark Olson" <olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote:
The only touchscreen is the aftermarket radio
I put in because I wanted a backup camera, and it has a physical
volume knob so I don't have to take my eyes off the road to adjust
it. I hate the big touchscreens you have to use in new cars, even to
adjust the heater! All my controls are physical and that's obviously
best for a task where you need to keep your eyes up, not peering down
at a touch screen.
The major benefit of a touchscreen is to enable voice control. What they should do is set the screen that it is only operable while the vehicle is stationary, and mandate use of voice control while in motion.
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as II have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle to start after riding a reasonable distance. Turned out to be the Optimate.
thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.
I *think* he said that it was a little overenthusiastic with the
charging voltage.
On 16/04/2026 08:53, Sqirrel99 wrote:
wessie wrote:
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at 200k
as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
I suspect VW believe that the 'lifetime' of the vehicle is somewhat
less than 200k.
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I was
looking up EV stuff at the time.
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:That sounds a bit weird.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as II have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle
thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.
to start after riding a reasonable distance. Turned out to be the
Optimate. I *think* he said that it was a little overenthusiastic with
the charging voltage.
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:That sounds a bit weird.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as II have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle
thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.
to start after riding a reasonable distance. Turned out to be the
Optimate. I *think* he said that it was a little overenthusiastic with
the charging voltage.
I think that's why it took so long to diagnose.
PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote in news:n4kpetFf3o8U1@mid.individual.net:
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:That sounds a bit weird.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I >>>>> thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.I have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle
to start after riding a reasonable distance. Turned out to be the
Optimate. I *think* he said that it was a little overenthusiastic with >>>> the charging voltage.
I think that's why it took so long to diagnose.
some earlier Optimates had that reputation but not any since the v4 that
came out over a decade ago. Maybe it was people using old chargers not designed for AGM?
Although, I am not a believer in having a smart charger permanently connected. If I do not use a bike in winter, I just give the battery a
charge for a day or two.
from Nov to March. The AGM battery had only dropped to 11.9V and it will
get used enough this year not to need charge until the end of next winter.
The major benefit of a touchscreen is to enable voice control. What they should do is set the screen that it is only operable while the vehicle is stationary, and mandate use of voice control while in motion.
Ben Blaney wrote:
The major benefit of a touchscreen is to enable voice control. What they
should do is set the screen that it is only operable while the vehicle is
stationary, and mandate use of voice control while in motion.
So the only way to set something would be by voice ? Urgh.
Me: "Set temperature to 20C"
Car: "Calling Trevor..."
Just give me physical controls, please.
Ben Blaney wrote:
The major benefit of a touchscreen is to enable voice control. What they
should do is set the screen that it is only operable while the vehicle is
stationary, and mandate use of voice control while in motion.
So the only way to set something would be by voice ? Urgh.
Me: "Set temperature to 20C"
Car: "Calling Trevor..."
Just give me physical controls, please.
There's always an alternative a problem is mapping for instance
disables the functions if the car is in gear bloody safety Nazis so
using the sat nag requires stopping or voice control.
boots <news@millhouse-communications.co.uk> wrote in news:10s4lt9$hp6d$1@bilbo.eternal-september.org:Maybe because I use Android Auto in the car so it is the phone on the car display that also won't play under exactly the same circumstances. The bike I have access to I just got a Chigee fitted so that is also Android Auto, however,
There's always an alternative a problem is mapping for instance
disables the functions if the car is in gear bloody safety Nazis so
using the sat nag requires stopping or voice control.
this is why I don't use the integral satnav that came with my Moto Guzzi.
It is entirely reliant on the phone app and then bluetoothing turn by turn to the TFT display (with voice if a headset is worn).
I continue to use the 10 year old Zumo 390 as Garmin still issue map
updates and I can press one icon on the screen to skip a waypoint or a few more to find petrol without stopping.
On 20/04/2026 10:44 wessie penned these words:
boots <news@millhouse-communications.co.uk> wrote inMaybe because I use Android Auto in the car so it is the phone on the
news:10s4lt9$hp6d$1@bilbo.eternal-september.org:
There's always an alternative a problem is mapping for instance
disables the functions if the car is in gear bloody safety Nazis so
using the sat nag requires stopping or voice control.
this is why I don't use the integral satnav that came with my Moto
Guzzi. It is entirely reliant on the phone app and then bluetoothing
turn by turn to the TFT display (with voice if a headset is worn).
car display that also won't play under exactly the same circumstances.
The bike I have access to I just got a Chigee fitted so that is also
Android Auto, however, I reckon I'll not be re-routing without
stopping on 2 wheels.
I continue to use the 10 year old Zumo 390 as Garmin still issue map
updates and I can press one icon on the screen to skip a waypoint or
a few more to find petrol without stopping.
I have my Zumo XT and I would have fitted that but my brother-in-law
sent me his Chigee and it is his bike.
I have that debate in my head now as I keep expecting the Zumo 390 to expire. There are some new Chigee type devices now, more independent
tablets than mirroring, with their own GPS chip and data SIM. All a bit
beta but keeping my eye on them
boots <news@millhouse-communications.co.uk> wrote in news:10s4lt9$hp6d$1@bilbo.eternal-september.org:
There's always an alternative a problem is mapping for instance
disables the functions if the car is in gear bloody safety Nazis so
using the sat nag requires stopping or voice control.
this is why I don't use the integral satnav that came with my Moto Guzzi.
It is entirely reliant on the phone app and then bluetoothing turn by turn
to the TFT display (with voice if a headset is worn).
PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote in news:n4kpetFf3o8U1@mid.individual.net:
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:That sounds a bit weird.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I >>>>> thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.I have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle
to start after riding a reasonable distance. Turned out to be the
Optimate. I *think* he said that it was a little overenthusiastic with >>>> the charging voltage.
I think that's why it took so long to diagnose.
some earlier Optimates had that reputation but not any since the v4 that
came out over a decade ago. Maybe it was people using old chargers not designed for AGM?
Although, I am not a believer in having a smart charger permanently connected.Likewise, it's a 'recipe for disaster' [TM]
On 19/04/2026 21:42, wessie wrote:
PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote in news:n4kpetFf3o8U1@mid.individual.net:
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:That sounds a bit weird.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I >>>>>> thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.I have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle >>>>> to start after riding a reasonable distance. Turned out to be the
Optimate. I *think* he said that it was a little overenthusiastic with >>>>> the charging voltage.
I think that's why it took so long to diagnose.
some earlier Optimates had that reputation but not any since the v4 that
came out over a decade ago. Maybe it was people using old chargers not
designed for AGM?
Possibly, age of charger and type of battery not known.
Although, I am not a believer in having a smart charger permanently
connected. If I do not use a bike in winter, I just give the battery a
charge for a day or two.
It's what I do, but that's based on scare stories about Optimates. My feeling is that a smart charger should be smart enough to be left
attached and charging and simply forgotten about, mains outages or brown-outs included.
That's all the V85 needed after not being used
from Nov to March. The AGM battery had only dropped to 11.9V and it will
get used enough this year not to need charge until the end of next
winter.
My 1200's manual recommends disconnecting the master fuse if it's not
going to be used for more than something like 20 days. I found the
Aprilia was pretty bad in this respect, too. Personally, I cannot see
the justification for a bike drawing that much current unused.
I continue to use the 10 year old Zumo 390 as Garmin still issue map
updates and I can press one icon on the screen to skip a waypoint or a few more to find petrol without stopping.
wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
I have that debate in my head now as I keep expecting the Zumo 390 to
expire. There are some new Chigee type devices now, more independent
tablets than mirroring, with their own GPS chip and data SIM. All a bit
beta but keeping my eye on them
I also have a Zumo 390, which seems to work fine with OpenStreetMap
maps. I'm not too worried about losing Garmin map updates for
that reason.
On 19/04/2026 21:42, wessie wrote:
PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote in news:n4kpetFf3o8U1@mid.individual.net:
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:<
That's all the V85 needed after not being used
from Nov to March. The AGM battery had only dropped to 11.9V and it will
get used enough this year not to need charge until the end of next
winter.
My 1200's manual recommends disconnecting the master fuse if it's not
going to be used for more than something like 20 days. I found the
Aprilia was pretty bad in this respect, too. Personally, I cannot see
the justification for a bike drawing that much current unused.
wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
with the cost and complexity of components, the way vehicles are made and
the need for changes to be coded a lot of vehicles that could go on for
more years will be scrapped on economic grounds rather than fixed.
we'll probably end up like Cuba, with people trying to keep their Lexus or >> 30 year old Toyota Yaris going as you won't be doing bangernomics with a
Golf made in 2024 come 2040.
My 2009 Toyota Corolla seems to fit nicely into this picture. About
145k miles, runs like new, although fuel economy isn't quite as good
The major benefit of a touchscreen is to enable voice control. What they >should do is set the screen that it is only operable while the vehicle is >stationary, and mandate use of voice control while in motion.
If I'm not sure where I'm going, then the waterproof mapholder on the
tank works just fine :-)
On 4 wheels, I don't even need the map holder - just a vacant passenger
seat or a passenger to hold it
I drove my kids to school today in my 40 year old Jag (though it's only got >58k miles on it). It made me think: when I was their age, the equivalent would >have been being driven to school in a car from 1949. Which seems incredibly >improbable.
Does this make me incredibly eccentric?
And are my kids now being feted, or mocked?
On 16/04/2026 21:40 PipL penned these words:
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been US
figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I was
looking up EV stuff at the time.
I wonder if that's getting better or worse?
In reply to "petrolcan" who wrote the following:
In article <n4cvpsF83q2U1@mid.individual.net>, PipL says...
On 16/04/2026 08:53, Sqirrel99 wrote:
wessie wrote:
he is just changing the "filled for life" oil in the DSG box at 200k as nobody believes VW that it never needs changing
I suspect VW believe that the 'lifetime' of the vehicle is somewhat less
than 200k.
I read somewhere that the average lifetime for a car (might have been US figures) was around 140-160K miles; I forget the exact number. I was looking up EV stuff at the time.
My last car I sold at 204k miles. The current has nearly 150k miles on it and
I'm nowhere near to
getting my money's worth out of it yet.
Is that an automatic?
Manuals I have do starship mileages, but Auto gearboxes alway want to die early.
Best I got from an auto was 132K on my Pug 407. Loved that car, absolutley brilliant.
On Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:50:46 -0000 (UTC), Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.invalid> wrote:
I drove my kids to school today in my 40 year old Jag (though it's
only got 58k miles on it). It made me think: when I was their age, the >>equivalent would have been being driven to school in a car from 1949.
Which seems incredibly improbable.
Does this make me incredibly eccentric?
My working rule for eccentricity is that anyone who thinks they are eccentric, isn't. The key characteristics of eccentrics is that they
think their behaviour is perfectly normal
And are my kids now being feted, or mocked?
Mocked. But not for the reason above :-)
On 19/04/2026 22:00, PipL wrote:
On 19/04/2026 21:42, wessie wrote:
PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote in news:n4kpetFf3o8U1@mid.individual.net:
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:<
<snip>
That's all the V85 needed after not being used
from Nov to March. The AGM battery had only dropped to 11.9V and it will >>> get used enough this year not to need charge until the end of next
winter.
My 1200's manual recommends disconnecting the master fuse if it's not
going to be used for more than something like 20 days. I found the
Aprilia was pretty bad in this respect, too. Personally, I cannot see
the justification for a bike drawing that much current unused.
Or just disconnect the battery?
A friend of mine who is a Ford employee (and would be familiar to >frequenters of Ixion and former denizens of rec.moto) told me that
Ford's design lifetime for their vehicles is 160k km (ie 100k miles).
That doesn't mean they'll fall apart one mile later, of course.
On 4 wheels, I don't even need the map holder - just a vacant passenger
seat or a passenger to hold it!
On 19/4/26 20:23, Mike Fleming wrote:
A friend of mine who is a Ford employee (and would be familiar to >>frequenters of Ixion and former denizens of rec.moto) told me that
Ford's design lifetime for their vehicles is 160k km (ie 100k miles).
That doesn't mean they'll fall apart one mile later, of course.
Or maybe that is just the point where they drop off the dealer network radar and descend into the murky world of DIY mechanics and bangernomics. My
world in fact.
On Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:52:47 -0000 (UTC), Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.invalid> wrote:
The major benefit of a touchscreen is to enable voice control. What they
should do is set the screen that it is only operable while the vehicle is
stationary, and mandate use of voice control while in motion.
I'm not talking to my car. No. Never
On 21/04/2026 09:09, YTC1 wrote:
On 19/04/2026 22:00, PipL wrote:
On 19/04/2026 21:42, wessie wrote:
PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote in news:n4kpetFf3o8U1@mid.individual.net: >>>>
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:<
<snip>
That's all the V85 needed after not being used
from Nov to March. The AGM battery had only dropped to 11.9V and it
will
get used enough this year not to need charge until the end of next
winter.
My 1200's manual recommends disconnecting the master fuse if it's not
going to be used for more than something like 20 days. I found the
Aprilia was pretty bad in this respect, too. Personally, I cannot see
the justification for a bike drawing that much current unused.
Or just disconnect the battery?
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You have
to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
It's a 2015 Skoda and it gives me almost 70mpg on a long run which considering it's putting out
about 240bhp I'm pretty happy with it.
Did I mention it's only u20pa to tax?
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10s9va7$23fsp$2@dont-email.me:
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
is taping the fuse to the battery cover he mentions too complex a notion
for you?
On 19/04/2026 21:42, wessie wrote:
PipL <pip@nowhere.nul> wrote in news:n4kpetFf3o8U1@mid.individual.net:
On 18/04/2026 09:27, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 16/04/2026 21:38, PipL wrote:
On 15/04/2026 13:53, wessie wrote:That sounds a bit weird.
On the R1200RS, I changed the battery as a precaution at 6 years as I >>>>>> thought it might be on borrowed time and I was off to Spain.I have a colleague who's bike would start fine at home, but struggle >>>>> to start after riding a reasonable distance. Turned out to be the
Optimate. I *think* he said that it was a little overenthusiastic with >>>>> the charging voltage.
I think that's why it took so long to diagnose.
some earlier Optimates had that reputation but not any since the v4 that
came out over a decade ago. Maybe it was people using old chargers not
designed for AGM?
Maybe... although still weird...
Although, I am not a believer in having a smart charger permanentlyLikewise, it's a 'recipe for disaster' [TM]
connected.
Chris
On 4 wheels, I don't even need the map holder - just a vacant
passenger seat or a passenger to hold it!
My passengers are usually Pretty Vacant.
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10s9va7$23fsp$2@dont-email.me:
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
is taping the fuse to the battery cover he mentions too complex a notion
for you?
On Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:39:21 +0100, petrolcan <petrolcan@gmail.com>
wrote:
It's a 2015 Skoda and it gives me almost 70mpg on a long run which considering it's putting out
about 240bhp I'm pretty happy with it.
Did I mention it's only -u20pa to tax?
Can you explain this, please?
On 22/04/2026 10:50, wessie wrote:
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10s9va7$23fsp$2@dont-email.me:
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
is taping the fuse to the battery cover he mentions too complex a notion
for you?
I think sometimes there is a fine line between common sense[1] and
optimism? [2]
Chris
[1] Taping said fuse
[2] Believing [1] is not necessary and the fuse will still be where you
left it in 5 mins/5 days/5 months/5 years (etc)
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10s9va7$23fsp$2@dont-email.me:
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
is taping the fuse to the battery cover he mentions too complex a notion
for you?
On 22/04/2026 10:50, wessie wrote:
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10s9va7$23fsp$2@dont-email.me:
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
is taping the fuse to the battery cover he mentions too complex a notion
for you?
Nope, but then I don't have a bike with awkward access to the battery. I just charge them (trickle), then disconnect (if to be left a while),
then reconnect and give a trickle charge and start ......or not If the battery is shagged anyway :-)
On 22/04/2026 14:25, chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
On 22/04/2026 10:50, wessie wrote:
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10s9va7$23fsp$2@dont-email.me:
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
is taping the fuse to the battery cover he mentions too complex a
notion for you?
I think sometimes there is a fine line between common sense[1] and
optimism? [2]
Chris
[1] Taping said fuse
[2] Believing [1] is not necessary and the fuse will still be where
you left it in 5 mins/5 days/5 months/5 years (etc)
Or remembering that you taped it to the battery cover, rather than remembering you took it out and put it somewhere safe and spending
three hours looking for it before buying another one, then finding the
one you taped to the battery cover.
I think PipL is one of the younger members here and may not have such an atrophied brain as the majority
wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
I think PipL is one of the younger members here and may not have such
an atrophied brain as the majority
You do realize that this is not a tremendously high bar to get over.
Did I mention it's only -u20pa to tax?
On 22/04/2026 17:30, YTC1 wrote:
On 22/04/2026 10:50, wessie wrote:
YTC1 <ytc1@ytc1.co.uk> wrote in news:10s9va7$23fsp$2@dont-email.me:
On 21/04/2026 18:17, PipL wrote:
The fuse is easier IIRC: it's right next to the battery cover. You
have to unscrew the battery cover to get to the terminals.
And then lose the fuse? :-)
is taping the fuse to the battery cover he mentions too complex a notion >>> for you?
Nope, but then I don't have a bike with awkward access to the battery.
I just charge them (trickle), then disconnect (if to be left a while),
then reconnect and give a trickle charge and start ......or not If the
battery is shagged anyway :-)
Battery really isn't that awkward, just more awkward than the fuse.
Also, the bike does have a charge connetor, bu I have to remember to top
it up very regularly.
Actually, the battery must be getting on a bit now. I need to check it properly.
On Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:39:21 +0100, petrolcan <petrolcan@gmail.com>
wrote:
It's a 2015 Skoda and it gives me almost 70mpg on a long run which considering it's putting out
about 240bhp I'm pretty happy with it.
Did I mention it's only u20pa to tax?
Can you explain this, please?
It's a 2015 Skoda and it gives me almost 70mpg on a long run which considering it's putting out
about 240bhp I'm pretty happy with it.
Did I mention it's only u20pa to tax?
Can you explain this, please?
Band B class CO2 emissions, pre 2017 car
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69a83810dcb774b435560510/v149-rates-of-vehicle-tax-
for-cars-motorcycles-light-goods-vehicles-and-private-light-goods-vehicles-april-2026.pdf
It was the combination of horsepower and low tax that was confusing
me. How can a 245bhp engine be band B?
On Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:36:16 +0100, petrolcan <petrolcan@gmail.com>
wrote:
It's a 2015 Skoda and it gives me almost 70mpg on a long run which considering it's putting out
about 240bhp I'm pretty happy with it.
Did I mention it's only u20pa to tax?
Can you explain this, please?
Band B class CO2 emissions, pre 2017 car
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69a83810dcb774b435560510/v149-rates-of-vehicle-tax-
for-cars-motorcycles-light-goods-vehicles-and-private-light-goods-vehicles-april-2026.pdf
Gosh
It was the combination of horsepower and low tax that was confusing
me. How can a 245bhp engine be band B?
I got chatting to one of the owners and noticed his French crit-air
sticker. Class 1, the lowest polluting level you can get. It's probably 1000HP car, but can go a few hundred yards (I guess) on a battery.
On Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:52:47 -0000 (UTC), Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.invalid> wrote:
The major benefit of a touchscreen is to enable voice control. What they
should do is set the screen that it is only operable while the vehicle is
stationary, and mandate use of voice control while in motion.
I'm not talking to my car. No. Never
Mark Olson <olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote in
news:10sbf9a$2issc$1@dont-email.me:
wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
I think PipL is one of the younger members here and may not have such
an atrophied brain as the majority
You do realize that this is not a tremendously high bar to get over.
no shit
although Blaney sets a high bar in a number of metrics from injudicious use of trailers and quasi-medical irrigation
I think PipL is one of the younger members here and may not have such an atrophied brain as the majority
well, until he has a bang on the head due to his adventutous hobbies with a high risk of headbutting the scenery. He does not like me mentioning the
DIY risks ... minimising everything in the face of evicence.
On 22/04/2026 22:13, wessie wrote:
well, until he has a bang on the head due to his adventutous hobbies with a >> high risk of headbutting the scenery. He does not like me mentioning the
DIY risks ... minimising everything in the face of evicence.
I've not done anything silly in over a year. I didn't even dust off the >snowboard this year. *Next* year though...
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