I am in NY living on LI. Winters arent THAT bad here but it does get cold for prolonged periods. just dont get all the snow they get upstate.

tom

My VTX turned 7 yo this Jan and it still has the original battery, but that's the best I've ever had one last too. It's never been run down and this past Nov and Dec is the longest I've ever gone without riding so it's stayed charged all these years. That being said, I'd have one on standby Stephanie, because you've said yours has been sluggish turning over sometimes in the cold. It's nearly done most likely.

Do find out the valve adjusment interval and if one's coming up. Other than that, you're pretty well covered when your tires come in.

Do you keep your battery on the tender durring down time?

Tom

That helps considerably. This last year and a half, I was between two places and one of them didn't have an outlet to plug the Battery Tender in, so my KTM's battery went tits-up even though it's barely two years old.

this year the battery (only a yr old) started to konk out on the priller in th ecold since I used the bike infrequently. Since then the battery has been in the basement on the tender. I will attatch a pigtail connecotr after we get into the house. Righ tnow the bike is stored outside under a carport so its somewhat exposed to the elemnts.

Tom

Is the valve check something I have to take it to a shop for?

Where do you guys usually buy your batteries? Any good places online?

Thanks for the help! :D

if youre not THAT mechanically inclined I would take it to the shop. I have them do it on my futura becasue its a PITA but my TL like your SV is rather easy to work on/access the valves.

I forgot where I ordered my battery from fo rthe futura i also have used the Neverstart ones from wallyworld.

Tom

A battery is $90 locally. Surely I can find it cheaper elsewehere.

Tom, I'll have to see where other Zuk dealerships are nearby or other shops that are street bike specific. I really don't trust the local one to do the job right and not charge out the ass for possibly fucking it up. Even without my small personal experience with them, I've heard other stories about their shitty service.

I was going to suggest getting the valves done, but I don't think that is something you want to attempt yourself. Maybe get a friend to help that knows what they are doing. Not sure I would trust the dealer either... they did my husband's bike he had a few years back. Did a good job on the valves, but put a big ole scuff on his frame where they pulled the carbs out.

Do you have a Batteries Plus around you? New batt for my SV was like $40 there last year.

And the recomended interval for valve clearance check is 15K or every 2 years.... so yeah, I'd say you're due.
And it's only 19 steps in my service manual :whistle: