Hi everyone:

Moving down the Ruta del Sol -- the coastal route in Ecuador. Pretty stunning and reminds of me a lot of Highway 1 along the Californian coast except with a lot more coastal communities.

Anyways, as I was rolling into Montanita, a surf and party location along the coast... I was suprised to notice I was having a bit of trouble starting the bike. It struggled a bit and turned over. I busted out my multimeter.

Bike Turned Off; Key in Off Position: 12.7-12.8V
Bike Turned On; Key in On Position: 10.1
During cranking when I'm starting up the motor: 8.something

I seem to recall that if the battery dips below 10V during cranking it's finished. Battery was purchased fall of 2010. Yuasa brand. Right now the battery is charging with a Battery Tender Junior (and I was thinking of sending this home as I wasn't using it very much).

Anyways, looks like I need a new battery.

1) Where's the closest place to Montañita that I can find a new battery for my V-Strom? Guayaquil? Got a shop name I can call?
2) Guayaquil, where I'm guessing the replacement would be is 2 hours away. Would I be an idiot if I loaded up everything on my bike and set out to find a replacement? Or is it a better idea just to suck it up, jump on a bus and bring the battery in person... to prevent the case of being stranded on the highway in the middle of nowhere. I'm tempted to try this plan as the voltage seems to bump when I'm travelling.

Thanks in advance, from Ecuador!
=David

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Hi I'm David; headed to South America via a Suzuki V-Strom 650.
http://www.davidparkinson.com

hello david
we are christian and mireille with 1200 gs met on stahlratte
we hope you find a new battery.
we are in France a few months but our bike is in Uruguay, in December we return to be in Ushuaia be at the end of the year.
ride save

Wow hope you guys have had a great trip. I will be in Ushaia this end of December or January... hopefully see you guys on the road!

=David

__________________
Hi I'm David; headed to South America via a Suzuki V-Strom 650.
http://www.davidparkinson.com