Dead battery already???

[CharlieAllnutt]

Yesterday my relatively new (4150 miles) '04 RT started normally with no indication of a problem. However, when I shut it down to get off and close a gate it refused to restart, acting and sounding exactly like the battery was all of a sudden nearly dead. I removed the side panel and exposed the battery enough to jumpstart the bike. Later, I took the battery to one of the local auto parts stores and had it tested. The results were "Bad battery--Replace".
My trusty dealer won't be open until tomorrow. The questions are .. Should this super-duper nearly new gel battery go bad without warning?
Does this indicate a worse problem yet to be revealed?
Am I hopelessly paranoid? I plan to ride from central Alabama to Pikes Peak early next month. The Peak would be a scenic but inconvenient spot to be stranded.
Any opinions? Has anyone had a similar experience? Also, after jumpstarting, a meter indicated amperage to the battery from just below 5 to just above 5, but dropping to between 3 and 4 when engine was revved. Is this normal? Thanks a lot for any help.

[PacWestGS]

[QUOTE=GWr]
Am I hopelessly paranoid? I plan to ride from central Alabama to Pikes Peak early next month. The Peak would be a scenic but inconvenient spot to be stranded.QUOTE]

Hey, if you get to the top. It's all down hill from there.

Would certainly need more info: Like, did the bike sit all winter and this was the first time out of the barn?

Do you use or did you use a battery-tender? If so what kind? The older ones can literally destroy your Gel Battery.

When you turned the bike off to close the gate, was the key still on? A single bad cell will get you started once but may fail shortly after.

Charging amps 3-5 sounds OK, but what are the DC-volts during charge should be between 13.2-14.4.

[CharlieAllnutt]

Nope, the bike didn't sit up for any lenth of time prior to this problem, only about three days due to hard rains. In fact, I just recently got it and have really enjoyed the 4000+ miles so far. A bad cell sounds like the answer, bu how common is a bad cell in a new battery? That's what had me worried.

And you're absolutely correct. Pikes Peak is all downhill from the top and I love every bit of it, up or down. This will be my fourth "trip to the top" and I can't wait to get on the road to points west. Arches NP in Utah is also a destination this time around. I've never been there, but hear it's well worth seeing.

BTW, thanks for the response.

[PacWestGS]

[QUOTE=GWr] In fact, I just recently got it and have really enjoyed the 4000+ miles so far. A bad cell sounds like the answer, bu how common is a bad cell in a new battery? QUOTE]

Q: What is a 'New' Battery?

1). Recently purchased from store?

2). Came with 'New' Bike?

3). Shipped Direct from Factory?

4). Assembled, Filled with Electrolite/Gelatin Chemicals, Charged and Installed by qualified mechanic?

A: None of the above or all of the above... Any battery could have been built months or years ago and just recently (last year or two) installed in your bike.

Good part, the days almost over and Tuesday the dealer will be open. If it's a BMW battery they will test it and replace it under warranty.

Have Fun, Bummer about today.

P.S. Same problem with tires, what is 'new'? New to my pocket-book and the bike, but the carcass might already be at "Shelf-Life" just sitting on the rack. Something to think about.