Some interesting tid bits in the owners manual...

[pqsqac]

I was reading through it today and most of the info was cut and dry I did learn on page 3-15 you can set the brightness on the instrument cluster. I also learned something about charging the battery on page 6-28 since it is a VRLA type which I never heard of:
To charge a VRLA (Valve Regulated
Lead Acid) battery, a special (constant-
voltage) battery charger is required.
Using a conventional battery
charger will damage the battery. If
you do not have access to a constant-
voltage battery charger, have a
Yamaha dealer charge your battery.

One thing I couldn't find was how Yamaha recommends deploying the center stand. I know it's not rocket science but you would think they would give you some tips.

 

[MortiisMachine]

Never really thought of looking at instructions for deploying the centre stand, I would imagine it's just the same as most other centre stands, although it does get me thinking.

 

[bvail]

Dealer showed me how and it's a pretty friendly process. Put your weight on stand and lift slightly up and back. Let your body weight do the work, not your back. Eezy-Peezy

The side stand is a bit scary, since the bike doesn't lean much and the footprint is pretty small. Think one of my first farkles will be the 'paw' that bolts onto the stand.

 

[MortiisMachine]

Dealer showed me how and it's a pretty friendly process. Put your weight on stand and lift slightly up and back. Let your body weight do the work, not your back. Eezy-Peezy

The side stand is a bit scary, since the bike doesn't lean much and the footprint is pretty small. Think one of my first farkles will be the 'paw' that bolts onto the stand.

Yeah in reference to the side stand I noticed it was pretty small, I will order the AltRider side stand foot with should solve the problem.

 

[mobyfubar]

I also learned something about charging the battery on page 6-28 since it is a VRLA type which I never heard of:
To charge a VRLA (Valve Regulated
Lead Acid) battery, a special (constant-
voltage) battery charger is required.

I checked the Del-Tran website and the standard Battery Tender will work.

 

[pqsqac]

That's good news I use a Battery Tender and have the Craftsman charger as a back up.

I checked the Del-Tran website and the standard Battery Tender will work.

 

[pqsqac]

I also read that the manual has a typo about switching between S & T mode. The book says not to do it while you are moving but I read that's a typo and you can ride and switch. Your not supposed to switch the traction control while moving. This makes sense because the S & T switch is on the right grip while the traction control button is up on the cluster. It becomes a safety issue taking your hands off the grips I guess is what they were thinking.

 

[pqsqac]

I had a 78 Yammi 650 Special with a center stand that was a piece a cake to lift. The reason I brought up the S10 is because over on the Connie site they were having issues getting their bikes up on the center stand and the owners manual told them how. Of course the C14 is a lot heavier to boot.

Never really thought of looking at instructions for deploying the centre stand, I would imagine it's just the same as most other centre stands, although it does get me thinking.

 

[markjenn]

There is nothing special about the Yamaha battery or the charger you need.

The S10 has a AGM battery (VRLA is just another term for AGM that also includes the relatively rare gel-types) just like virtually all new motorcycles ship with. The verbage about special charger requirements is just telling you to use a "smart charger", not an el-cheapo constant-voltage wall-wart charger. Most chargers sold for motorcycles these days are the smart chargers, for example, the ubiquitous Battery Tender brand. The charger does need the proper voltage curve to charge AGM's so you need, for example, a "Battery Tender Plus", rather than just a "Battery Tender", although I don't know if the old non-AGM-aware Battery Tender is still sold - you'd probably have to work to find a smart charger these days that doesn't charge AGMs.

Personally, I like the Optimates a lot better than the BT's.

- Mark

 

[pqsqac]

Thanks Mark I feel better now I'm pretty sure my BT is a plus type. I was thinking the S10 battery was special because it sits sideways on the bike unlike most bikes are upright and under the seat.


quote author=markjenn link=topic=546.msg7444#msg7444 date=1296696691]
There is nothing special about the Yamaha battery or the charger you need.

The S10 has a AGM battery (VRLA is just another term for AGM that also includes the relatively rare gel-types) just like virtually all new motorcycles ship with. The verbage about special charger requirements is just telling you to use a "smart charger", not an el-cheapo constant-voltage wall-wart charger. Most chargers sold for motorcycles these days are the smart chargers, for example, the ubiquitous Battery Tender brand. The charger does need the proper voltage curve to charge AGM's so you need, for example, a "Battery Tender Plus", rather than just a "Battery Tender", although I don't know if the old non-AGM-aware Battery Tender is still sold - you'd probably have to work to find a smart charger these days that doesn't charge AGMs.

Personally, I like the Optimates a lot better than the BT's.

- Mark
[/quote]

 

[markjenn]

I was thinking the S10 battery was special because it sits sideways on the bike unlike most bikes are upright and under the seat.

Just did some quick reading and it appears AGMs can be placed in any orientation except upside down. The S10 battery sorta sits vertically as I recall with the terminals more up/down than fore/aft.

- Mark

 

[pqsqac]

Yes from the pics I've seen the battery terminals & cables are facing you from the right side of the bike. The top of the battery is facing to the right. I did check my BT charger and it doesn't say plus on it so that may not work what are your thoughts?

Just did some quick reading and it appears AGMs can be placed in any orientation except upside down. The S10 battery sorta sits vertically as I recall with the terminals more up/down than fore/aft.

- Mark

 

[bvail]

I checked on Amazon and they said this in product details about the BT Plus and BT JR:

• Designed for use on all AGM sealed maintenance free, lead calcium, and flooded batteries.
• 
  You might check with Deltran to see if your charger is compatible with AGM

 

[pqsqac]

Thanks bvial for the info I will call them.

I checked on Amazon and they said this in product details about the BT Plus and BT JR:

• Designed for use on all AGM sealed maintenance free, lead calcium, and flooded batteries.
• 
  You might check with Deltran to see if your charger is compatible with AGM

 

[markjenn]

I did check my BT charger and it doesn't say plus on it so that may not work what are your thoughts?

If you have one of the older models which is not marked "Plus", it probably won't work very well. When connected to an AGM, it will initially charge, but will prematurely shutdown, even if the battery needs further charging. Time to upgrade.

- Mark

 

[bvail]

If you have one of the older models which is not marked "Plus", it probably won't work very well. When connected to an AGM, it will initially charge, but will prematurely shutdown, even if the battery needs further charging. Time to upgrade.

- Mark

They don't cost much, either the Plus or the JR. I have both and I take Junior along on long trips, just in case.

 

[switchback]

Even the Cheap $10 battery tender knock-offs at Walmart are certified for AGMs these days.

 

[spklbuk]

My '06 FJR still running the original gel battery and all it has ever been charged with is a Wally World special. They must not do too bad.

 

[markjenn]

My '06 FJR still running the original gel battery and all it has ever been charged with is a Wally World special. They must not do too bad.

Just nitpicking, but technically the OEM FJR battery is not a "gel; it is a AGM like the S10. Gels are a different type and uncommon these days.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery

I'm still running the original battery in my 2005 FJR and it has had quite a few periods of a month or so of sitting. Never had it on a charger either. These new AGM's are a lot more "disuse tolerant" than our old lead-acid flooded batteries.

- Mark

 

[pqsqac]

Thanks Mark for the info glad to find out now before hooking it up to the bike don't want to do any damage.

If you have one of the older models which is not marked "Plus", it probably won't work very well. When connected to an AGM, it will initially charge, but will prematurely shutdown, even if the battery needs further charging. Time to upgrade.

- Mark