My Bike's Battery Died, What Should I Do?

Jiggles · November 12th, 2011, 12:02 PM

So I accidentally left my grip heaters on all night and it killed my battery. I got it started by rolling it down the driveway and then I rode it for about 10 minutes and took it up a hill. Turned the bike off and tried to start it but the battery didnt have a charge. So I rolled down the hill and started it again and now I have the bike idling in the driveway at about 2.5k rpms in an attempt to charge the battery. Is there anything I should do?

"A" · November 12th, 2011, 12:12 PM

Unless you keep the bike running for good 15-30 minutes, at 3-4000 rpm; the bettery is not getting much juice back into it from the stator.

If the battery is less than 2 yrs old, and have never been drained, likelyhood that you can charge it back to life with a battery charge hooked onto it for a good amount of time.

If the battery is older, rarely been hooked to a chager and have been drained a few times, likely that it's not going back to full life.. time for a replacement.

Jiggles · November 12th, 2011, 12:13 PM

Battery is new, I'll go idle at 3k then

"A" · November 12th, 2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Battery is new, I'll go idle at 3k then

Do not let it sit and idle, ride it.. after ride, put it on a charger.

Lil_Green_Demon · November 12th, 2011, 12:19 PM

Similar thing happened to me early last month. I ended up using a battery recharger (or is it called a battery tender? Idk) to recharge the battery.
Good luck, man.
I suggest that if you've got the bike on, ride around for a few miles and then turn the bike off and back on to see if it's good. If not, try the process again.

Jiggles · November 12th, 2011, 12:33 PM

So I had it idling at 2.5k for about 20mins (I know its bad

) and I took back up the hill to try it again and it started! Woohoo!

I don't have a battery charger but at least I know that the inefficient process of turning gas into electricity works.

"A" · November 12th, 2011, 02:35 PM

Idling for 20 minutes probably gets your battery back to 40% of its capacity, if it is a new battery that has been drained to empty...

If you do not recharge the battery to its full capacity, the battery life will be shorten and future capacity of the battery will be reduced.

Time to invest in a battery charge.

HKr1 · November 12th, 2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "A"

Do not let it sit and idle, ride it.. after ride, put it on a charger.

if your putting it on a charger, why go for a ride first? just for fun??

Alex · November 12th, 2011, 03:26 PM

Next time just go for a ride for 20+ minutes. Idling it isn't recharging it nearly fast enough, and the cooling system of these bikes isn't intended for long-term idling at even normal idle speed, let alone bumping it up to 3k (I assume with the choke/enrichener).

blink · November 12th, 2011, 03:27 PM

Well seeing as no alternator is present, go for a long ride then when you get back let it idle and don't use your lights/turning signals much.

Or charge it...moto shops will usually charge it for free overnight

Boom King · November 12th, 2011, 03:39 PM

The way I see it, if you own a car or bike, a battery charger should be considered as part of your "tool-set".

Jiggles · November 12th, 2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Next time just go for a ride for 20+ minutes. Idling it isn't recharging it nearly fast enough, and the cooling system of these bikes isn't intended for long-term idling at even normal idle speed, let alone bumping it up to 3k (I assume with the choke/enrichener).

idle knob

I couldn't ride for very long because I had to finish laundry before I went to work however the ride to work is 40mins each way so that should charge the battery some more.

this morning 2 of my 3 vehicles were out of commission due to dead batteries. I'll take this as a sign that I need to buy my next bike juuuuuuuust to be safe

Alex · November 12th, 2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

this morning 2 of my 3 vehicles were out of commission due to dead batteries. I'll take this as a sign that I need to buy my next bike juuuuuuuust to be safe

I'd take it as a sign you need a battery charger.

TheTopher · November 13th, 2011, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I'd take it as a sign you need a battery charger.

But a new bike is never a bad thing...

gfloyd2002 · November 13th, 2011, 06:21 AM

I see two choices. My vote is PANIC!

Or, you could get a battery charger.

akima · November 13th, 2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

this morning 2 of my 3 vehicles were out of commission due to dead batteries. I'll take this as a sign that I need to buy my next bike juuuuuuuust to be safe

LOL. The most logical conclusion to your predicament

coondog · November 13th, 2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

So I had it idling at 2.5k for about 20mins (I know its bad

) and I took back up the hill to try it again and it started! Woohoo!

I don't have a battery charger but at least I know that the inefficient process of turning gas into electricity works.

Good one! Just don't rely on it lasting over 24 hours and follow "A's" advice to ride. I have a trickle charger and clips on battery screws for easy hook up but still ride both bikes for 30-40 minutes in one clip weekly, on top of city usage et al. Good luck.

n4mwd · November 15th, 2011, 08:35 PM

Battery Tenderizer
http://www.harborfreight.com/automat...ger-42292.html
Usually they go on sale for about $4.

They also have solar ones you can use during the day.

If you need a new battery, consider lithium. Mine's still going like a champ and has an extra amp of power too.

Havok · November 15th, 2011, 08:43 PM

just go for a ride for about 30 or 40 mins

alex.s · November 15th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Wot in neutral for 10 minutes?

Jiggles · November 15th, 2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

Wot in neutral for 10 minutes?

Ok battery is charged but now my bike is on fire... What should I do?

alex.s · November 15th, 2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Ok battery is charged but now my bike is on fire... What should I do?

Send her to me

n4mwd · November 16th, 2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Ok battery is charged but now my bike is on fire... What should I do?

Buy a new gasket set so you can rebuild the engine. Ninjas tend to overheat when idling. They need ram air to stay cool. When the fan comes on its probably going to start draining the battery anyway.

Best to just go for a nice ride. Or use the battery tenderizer.

Jiggles · November 16th, 2011, 06:33 PM

****

I did it again....

akima · November 17th, 2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

****

I did it again....

You're kidding me? You left your hand warmers on over night again???

Jiggles · November 17th, 2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

You're kidding me? You left your hand warmers on over night again???

Yea, this time I just rolled it down the driveway and took off to work haha

TheTopher · November 17th, 2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Yea, this time I just rolled it down the driveway and took off to work haha

You should probably wire a relay into one of the ignition wires so the hand warmers only have power when the key is in.

From the sound of it you're as absent minded as I am.

Jiggles · November 17th, 2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTopher

You should probably wire a relay into one of the ignition wires so the hand warmers only have power when the key is in.

From the sound of it you're as absent minded as I am.

Oh no I have a relay, it's sitting on my kitchen table.

It came a few hours after I had installed the grip heaters though

TheTopher · November 18th, 2011, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Oh no I have a relay, it's sitting on my kitchen table.

It came a few hours after I had installed the grip heaters though

Now you sound exactly like me.

Well done, mate.

November 12th, 2011, 12:02 PM	#1
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	My Bike's Battery Died, What Should I Do? So I accidentally left my grip heaters on all night and it killed my battery. I got it started by rolling it down the driveway and then I rode it for about 10 minutes and took it up a hill. Turned the bike off and tried to start it but the battery didnt have a charge. So I rolled down the hill and started it again and now I have the bike idling in the driveway at about 2.5k rpms in an attempt to charge the battery. Is there anything I should do? __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

November 12th, 2011, 12:13 PM	#3
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Battery is new, I'll go idle at 3k then __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

November 12th, 2011, 12:19 PM	#5
Lil_Green_Demon Winging It In Life Name: Umar Location: SoCal Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R; 2011 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	Similar thing happened to me early last month. I ended up using a battery recharger (or is it called a battery tender? Idk) to recharge the battery. Good luck, man. I suggest that if you've got the bike on, ride around for a few miles and then turn the bike off and back on to see if it's good. If not, try the process again. __________________________________________________ 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - Apr 22, 2011; Sold - Feb 17, 2015) 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - May 01, 2017; Current)

November 12th, 2011, 12:33 PM	#6
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	So I had it idling at 2.5k for about 20mins (I know its bad ) and I took back up the hill to try it again and it started! Woohoo! I don't have a battery charger but at least I know that the inefficient process of turning gas into electricity works. __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

November 12th, 2011, 03:26 PM	#9
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Next time just go for a ride for 20+ minutes. Idling it isn't recharging it nearly fast enough, and the cooling system of these bikes isn't intended for long-term idling at even normal idle speed, let alone bumping it up to 3k (I assume with the choke/enrichener). __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 12th, 2011, 12:12 PM	#2
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Unless you keep the bike running for good 15-30 minutes, at 3-4000 rpm; the bettery is not getting much juice back into it from the stator. If the battery is less than 2 yrs old, and have never been drained, likelyhood that you can charge it back to life with a battery charge hooked onto it for a good amount of time. If the battery is older, rarely been hooked to a chager and have been drained a few times, likely that it's not going back to full life.. time for a replacement.

November 12th, 2011, 02:35 PM	#7
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Idling for 20 minutes probably gets your battery back to 40% of its capacity, if it is a new battery that has been drained to empty... If you do not recharge the battery to its full capacity, the battery life will be shorten and future capacity of the battery will be reduced. Time to invest in a battery charge.

November 12th, 2011, 03:27 PM	#10
blink Always. Name: Alex Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.	Well seeing as no alternator is present, go for a long ride then when you get back let it idle and don't use your lights/turning signals much. Or charge it...moto shops will usually charge it for free overnight __________________________________________________ blink-182

November 12th, 2011, 03:39 PM	#11
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	The way I see it, if you own a car or bike, a battery charger should be considered as part of your "tool-set".

November 13th, 2011, 06:21 AM	#15
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	I see two choices. My vote is PANIC! Or, you could get a battery charger. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake

November 15th, 2011, 08:35 PM	#18
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Battery Tenderizer http://www.harborfreight.com/automat...ger-42292.html Usually they go on sale for about $4. They also have solar ones you can use during the day. If you need a new battery, consider lithium. Mine's still going like a champ and has an extra amp of power too. __________________________________________________ My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED!

November 15th, 2011, 08:43 PM	#19
Havok Internet Slut Name: Jeff Location: L.A. Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 FZ1, 07 FZ6 Posts: A lot.	just go for a ride for about 30 or 40 mins

November 15th, 2011, 09:27 PM	#20
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	Wot in neutral for 10 minutes? __________________________________________________

November 16th, 2011, 06:33 PM	#24
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	**** I did it again.... __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

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