www.zxrworld.co.uk

Not had my bike long, only done 30 miles on it and it's already got a flat battery *sadface*

The bike doesn't start, it turns over just doesn't fire. The battery is new, and just replaced the spark plugs.
Yesterday I jumped started it off my car and it turned over on the button no problem.

I would presume from the above that the battery is flat even though it's new.
After some research on the handlebar controls it turns out I've been using the park light when riding, which is probably why it's flat.

What's the easiest way to recharge the battery? Can I jump start it, then ride the bike to re-charge the battery, or does it need be charged from a proper battery charger?

Any suggestions or links to handlebar controls will be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance

your battery is flat because it is not being charged by the alternator.

either

1. your alternator is dead
2. you have a break in the necessary wiring
3. your reg/rec is dead
4. a combination of the above

if you battery is not getting charged it will keep dying and you will f*** it up by having to deep charge it all the time.

sort out the underlying problem, running with lights will not drain the battery if it is charging correctly.

I guess I got my answer, was hoping it would be a case of charging up and happy riding.
You are right though, much better to try and solve the route of the problem than screw up a new battery.

Presuming it's what you said, would the battery still need to be charged up after changing the alternator (for example), or could you ride it to charge after being jumped? Encase this info is of any help; all lights on the bike work as normal.

Thanks very much for the insight!

The bike should be able to charge itself after you determine what is wrong - i would guess at the reg rec. But i would give it a charge from a charger and then check to make sure that it is charging ok.

banner001 wrote: give it a charge from a charger and then check to make sure that it is charging ok.

so charge it fully with a charger, and then once you have fixed the underlying problem you will be able to see if your bike is charging properly as the battery voltage will be within spec...if you dont fully charge the battery before hand you dont know if a low voltage is because you didnt charge it fully, or because the reg/rec is still sketchy.

cargo doesnt understand because his love for me clouds his eyes sometimes...

you appear to have misspelled contempt

This is too funny guys!

cargo wrote:you appear to have misspelled contempt

tough love old man, tough love i should really stop drinking but its my holiday!!

You'll have to excuse me for pretty much being spoon fed information, but very new to all this.

What would be the exact process you'd go through if armed with a multimeter and battery charger (now in the post).
Boy is this forum useful!

First download the zxr manual from the homepage, will make it easier.

Find the three black wires coming from the alternator, start bike and take it to 4k rpm, set multimeter to read at least 60V AC voltage. You have 3black wires so if you number them1-3, test voltage between 1-2, then 2-3, then 1-3. The voltage should be between 40-50V AC. If so, your alternator is working so you either have a crap battery or a problem with your reg-rec. you can test your reg rec but to be honest if your alternator is fine then it's probably your reg rec.

Set the meter to read 20V DC. Touch your battery terminals after charging. Voltage should be at least 12V, idealy more than 12.6V. This's shows that your battery is charged fine. Now put your bike up to 2k rpm and test voltage again, if reg rec is fine and alternator is fine, voltage at the battery terminals should be about 14V...can't remember the exact voltage...it's in the manual.

The manual shows how you can test the reg/rec. Or get a mates' rectifier/regulator known to be in working condition and swap it out.

If that dont fix it, trace the white wires!

Thanks very much, that's exactly what I wanted to know. Cheers for your patience too!