Weird, bike won't start/ dead battery... why?

[ngsm13]

So, this is my first motorcycle, had it for less than a month. Never had any problems with it starting. Went out for a ride on Sunday, I'd say around 100 miles all said and done. I had stopped for fuel midway, and had no problems starting. Anyways, I get home and turn the bike off but let it sit there... I say no more than 15-20minutes tops.

As I'm getting read to leave I gather my gear, I hear a clicking coming from my bike (relay, faint sound from near the saddle I'd say). I wondered what it was, but just turn the bike off then on at the keyswitch and it went away.

So, I get geared up, try to start it... and all I get is click, click, click. Battery is dead. Pulled the bike in my buddy's garage, such a PITA couldn't even jump it because of the battery and location. Took the battery out an put it on a trickle charge. Going over tonight to check things out.

My question is, why did my bike die? Any input is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sxty8goats]

First Q for you is did you leave the bike 'on'? It is easy to do, especially if you have only had a bike for a month. If you use the kill switch to turn off the motor and you don't turn the key to 'off' your lights will drain the battery pretty quick. Especially if you left the turn signal on (also very comon with a new rider). That 'clicking' could have been a flasher relay.

I got in the habbit of locking the handle bars everytime I get off the bike. That way I know I've turned her off. I use the kill switch to shut her down. You don't need to, the key is fine. But it is one more thing to keep people that know nothing about a bike from messing with it.

 

[DefyInertia]

Sounds like you left it "ON"?

Just push start it and go for a ride...no need to mess around with a jump start. If it won't hold a charge, you'll need a new battery which you can get online for not too much. the clicking thing is normal when your battery is low.

 

[ngsm13]

First Q for you is did you leave the bike 'on'? It is easy to do, especially if you have only had a bike for a month. If you use the kill switch to turn off the motor and you don't turn the key to 'off' your lights will drain the battery pretty quick. Especially if you left the turn signal on (also very comon with a new rider). That 'clicking' could have been a flasher relay.

I got in the habbit of locking the handle bars everytime I get off the bike. That way I know I've turned her off. I use the kill switch to shut her down. You don't need to, the key is fine. But it is one more thing to keep people that know nothing about a bike from messing with it.

Yes, it was on since I knew I was leaving... but I didn't leave anything on except the running light. Which has been done before for short periods without trouble.

Sounds like you left it "ON"?

Just push start it and go for a ride...no need to mess around with a jump start. If it won't hold a charge, you'll need a new battery which you can get online for not too much. the clicking thing is normal when your battery is low.

Yeah, I'm aware about the clicking. Probably just reading into the situation too much... if anything else happens then maybe I'll look into it again.

thanks.

 

[DefyInertia]

Sounds like you killed the battery. Don't do that.

 

[Evitzee]

First, don't use the 'kill' switch in daily use, it's there for emergency shutoff. I've ridden for 35 years and have never used the kill switch in daily use, there just isn't any need to use it. Turn the machine off via the key, it's right in front of you. Now, many will say if you don't use the kill switch in day to day use you won't use it in an emergency. In reality what chance do you think you will have in an emergency situation to use it? Why would you waste time fumbling for the switch in an emergency anyway, you should be preoccupied on steering or braking your way out of the situation. And if the bike lays over while stopped you can reach down to flick it off, or just turn the key off. To me it's a feature that was never really thought out, just like the days in the 70's when turn signals had beepers to remind the rider to turn the signals off. It's just an annoyance. The beepers went away, but the kill switch never did.

 

[MHS]

I have the same question that has been asked a time or few already -- did you leave the key in the on position?

It's been habit for me to kill the engine with the switch and then immediately turn the key to off, even if I'm leaving again shortly.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

First, don't use the 'kill' switch in daily use, it's there for emergency shutoff. I've ridden for 35 years and have never used the kill switch in daily use, there just isn't any need to use it. Turn the machine off via the key, it's right in front of you. Now, many will say if you don't use the kill switch in day to day use you won't use it in an emergency. In reality what chance do you think you will have in an emergency situation to use it? Why would you waste time fumbling for the switch in an emergency anyway, you should be preoccupied on steering or braking your way out of the situation. And if the bike lays over while stopped you can reach down to flick it off, or just turn the key off. To me it's a feature that was never really thought out, just like the days in the 70's when turn signals had beepers to remind the rider to turn the signals off. It's just an annoyance. The beepers went away, but the kill switch never did.

+1 On the above. I always use the key. There's no chance of leaving the ignition/electrical system on to run down the battery for no reason....