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Fob Battery life?

The obvious solution to the fob dilemma is to store the bike, the fob and the battery in different faraday cages, separated by a lead wall and 100 meters apart….. or store the fob, with battery installed, anywhere you please without fear of the battery draining.
 
I keep my fob at least 10 feet from the bike when I'm not actually using it. I've heard the constant handshake will deplete the battery faster if left within "range".

Whether that's true or not, I'm still going to err on the side of caution. I keep a spare 2032 in the tank bag and change the fob bat every two years.
 
I replaced my 2032 with a fresh battery just before leaving for Redmond last June. It lasted all the way to Boise (about 10 days, counting the time before leaving). Not a major problem, as I carry a couple of spares in my tank bag and had it replaced in a manner of a few minutes. If it fails while on a trip, and you're not near your spare, you can start your bike using your emergency key (read the manual to find out how to start YOUR bike). Try the emergency key at home before you leave, so you know how to do it. Of course, you will see the symbol for "key not present" while your RT is running, until you replace the battery and bring your fob with its fresh battery back into range.

Yes, I know 10 days is a short time for a 2032 (I usually get a year plus), but occasionally you get a bad batch. Fortunately 2032's are fairly common, and you can buy them in almost any drug store, electronic store, battery store, etc!
 
10 ft is a good distance. Mine is on a table near where I keep my helmet.

I was storing on some hooks I thought were far enough away but I could still go into the garage and turn on the bike so I kept moving away. My battery at over 2 years would get the 50% message. I don't commute so only ride the bike on long trips and a handful of lunch rides.
 
If it fails while on a trip, and you're not near your spare, you can start your bike using your emergency key (read the manual to find out how to start YOUR bike). Try the emergency key at home before you leave, so you know how to do it.
Don't forget you can also start the bike with the fob that has a dead battery.
The manual will show where to place the fob to start the bike.
 
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The OEM recommended brand of battery is Varta.
I have never heard of that brand. I took a look and it seems like they are available online.
Batteries, like other consumables such as toner cartridges, are something I like to purchase in person so I can see the expiration date(s).
There are a lot of “bargains” around that have been shuffled down to “bargain” retailers due to savvy objections to purchasing out of date products.
OM
 
I usually buy the big 12 packs of Duracell 2032's at Costco. They work out to about a buck a piece. I carry an extra one on each bike that has a fob.
 
I usually buy the big 12 packs of Duracell 2032's at Costco. They work out to about a buck a piece. I carry an extra one on each bike that has a fob.
I carried a spare (Duracell still in the package) in my tank bag for more than a year. When my bike was telling me that the present battery was getting weak I installed that spare and it was dead. As Lee said, I replace my FOB batteries each January and haven't had a problem since.

Frank
 
Some airheads came with Varta batteries; dunno if they had any particular "reputation".
Keeping in mind that we have no way of knowing how long a battery has been sitting on the shelf, or who actually manufactured it, just use any high-quality long-lasting battery (Eveready Energizer or Energizer Max, Duracell, Panasonic, etc.) - but Never the cheaper "house" brand.
 
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This is off topic but I won't buy Duracell. Most of the time they have leaked. This is the AA and AAA, not the button batteries. As for house brand I've had great luck and pricing with Kirkland batteries from Costco. I've been using Panasonic in the fob.
 
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Does the motorcycle not warm of low FOB battery? IMHO fob battery life is not definitive. High ambient temperature shortens battery life, cold temperature weakens the voltage. Number of rides affect battery life. Some may get 24 months others may get 12 months
 
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