Hi, I have a 2019 1250 RS and I was wondering if anyone is having this same issue.  I put in a new battery in my key fob just last summer and now the bike is telling me the battery is low and has limited function and needs to be replaced.  This seems to me to be a very short time span for battery replacement, car key fob batteries last for at least a couple of years if not longer, but we don't get even a full year on ours?  Is this just the way it is or is there something else going on I don't know of?

(05-29-2022, 02:42 PM)Terpster Wrote: Hi, I have a 2019 1250 RS and I was wondering if anyone is having this same issue.  I put in a new battery in my key fob just last summer and now the bike is telling me the battery is low and has limited function and needs to be replaced.  This seems to me to be a very short time span for battery replacement, car key fob batteries last for at least a couple of years if not longer, but we don't get even a full year on ours?  Is this just the way it is or is there something else going on I don't know of?

If you have a voltmeter, check the battery.  If it's healthy, check the contacts.  It's a great use for those alcohol wipes we bought a year, or so, ago.

Fob batteries can run down faster if the fob is stored within 10' or so of your bike/vehicle as the fob and bike/vehicle communicate with each other when they're within range of each other. I usually change the fob batteries for all my vehicles on an annual basis anyway as batteries are cheap enough and it's easier than experiencing a fob failure. One way to increase fob battery life and vehicle security is to store your fobs in a faraday pouch when not in use. Just my $.02.

(05-29-2022, 02:42 PM)Terpster Wrote: Hi, I have a 2019 1250 RS and I was wondering if anyone is having this same issue.  I put in a new battery in my key fob just last summer and now the bike is telling me the battery is low and has limited function and needs to be replaced.  This seems to me to be a very short time span for battery replacement, car key fob batteries last for at least a couple of years if not longer, but we don't get even a full year on ours?  Is this just the way it is or is there something else going on I don't know of?

This is not normal. Could it be that the battery was new to you but sitting on the shelf for some time? I replaced the battery on my 2016 RS maybe once or twice (looking at the video publish date on my YouTube channel to see when that was published ... Jun-2018) which suggested the first battery lasted almost 3 years. I believe I am on the second at the moment although I could be on the third. Either way 1 year suggests to me that the battery may not have been totally fresh from the start.

(05-29-2022, 04:59 PM)Motorhead1977 Wrote: Fob batteries can run down faster if the fob is stored within 10' or so of your bike/vehicle as the fob and bike/vehicle communicate with each other when they're within range of each other.  I usually change the fob batteries for all my vehicles on an annual basis anyway as batteries are cheap enough and it's easier than experiencing a fob failure. One way to increase fob battery life and vehicle security is to store your fobs in a faraday pouch when not in use. Just my $.02.

It's truly unnerving to hear all that chatter between your car/truck and your fob when you're working in the garage.

(05-29-2022, 07:15 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(05-29-2022, 02:42 PM)Terpster Wrote: Hi, I have a 2019 1250 RS and I was wondering if anyone is having this same issue.  I put in a new battery in my key fob just last summer and now the bike is telling me the battery is low and has limited function and needs to be replaced.  This seems to me to be a very short time span for battery replacement, car key fob batteries last for at least a couple of years if not longer, but we don't get even a full year on ours?  Is this just the way it is or is there something else going on I don't know of?

This is not normal. Could it be that the battery was new to you but sitting on the shelf for some time? I replaced the battery on my 2016 RS maybe once or twice (looking at the video publish date on my YouTube channel to see when that was published ... Jun-2018) which suggested the first battery lasted almost 3 years. I believe I am on the second at the moment although I could be on the third. Either way 1 year suggests to me that the battery may not have been totally fresh from the start.

I agree the battery must have been old or not a quality battery. The fob battery should last 2 or 3 years.
Instead of trying to keep track of which 2032 batteries I have replaced I replace all of them each January.
The 2032 batteries for the bicycles only last about a year.

A fob can be stored near the bike. There is no hand shake between the bike and fob until the button is pushed on the bike.

(05-30-2022, 06:59 AM)Lee Wrote: A fob can be stored near the bike. There is no hand shake between the bike and fob until the button is pushed on the bike.

You beat me to that punch ...

Also in my case since I use the RS less since getting the "second bike", the fob battery drains even more slowly. At this rate I would not be surprised if I got over 3 years from the fob battery.

Thanks for the info and suggestions guys.  I will try some and hopefully have better luck.