Is it bad to run on dead battery?

[Anonymous]

I just replaced the stator and r/r. My 3 mon old battery will only hold a charge at 10.65VDC (I'm assuming caused by running purely off the battery and charging it every 2 days). My question is, will I damage the new stator or r/r by running on a battery that won't hold a decent charge? I will be replacing the battery early this week, but until then I have to (darn ) ride about 350 miles. I don't want to ride very much if it will damage my new stator or r/r.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I am by no means an expert on charging systems in general, let alone the pecularities of GS electrics, but I'd say get a new battery. 350 miles is a long way to have your charging system working extra in a losing battle to maintain that weakened battery. Even if the r/r and stator weren't to fail on this trip, you may hve weakened them and cut short their service life. And replacing them ain't cheap...

[Anonymous]

I know this with a junk battery it will blow every light on the bike when you rev it.

[Hap Call]

Get a new battery or you will damage either the regulator/rectifier or the stator or both.

Hap

[pidgey]

Take the bike to a battery specialist and have them confirm that it is the battery, then buy a new one

[fast eddie]

Battery costs way less than stator OR R/R. I got one for my GS at an end-of season sale here, $43Cdn.

[pidgey]

Battery costs way less than stator OR R/R. I got one for my GS at an end-of season sale here, $43Cdn.

You got a deal, man. Crappy Tire has been charging (pun intended) 60 bucks all this season

[KennyJ]

Buy the battery...I too have blown every light on the bike with a non-charging battery and running it on the Highway. One headlight bulb, and all the others, I could have bought a new battery!

Arrrggggghhhhh!
Kenny