Battery drained in 90 minutes?

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Sep 22, 2009 | 07:36 PM

NCTim

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Joined: Oct 2008

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From: Mt. Pleasant, NC

Battery drained in 90 minutes?

Two weeks ago we went for a 3.5 hour ride. We met some friends for lunch and were probably off the bikes for 90 minutes. My wife left the ignition switch of her 2008 Deluxe in the on position (and the passing lights were in the on postion as well). After lunch the battery would not start the bike. We jump started it and rode the 3.5 hours home and it has been starting since then. I dropped the bike off at the dealer today for unrelated service and asked them about it. The service writer assured me that those lights will drain the battery in 90 minutes, and the fact that it has started since then is evidence that the stator and battery are good.

I'm trying to relate this to experiences where car lights have been left on for hours and the car still started. Should I be concerned about the battery, or is the service guy shooting straight?

Sep 22, 2009 | 07:56 PM

Recon Dad

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Joined: Apr 2008

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He's a straight shooter. Motorcycle battery's drain easy. Auto battery's have more reserve power for cold weather starts.

Sep 22, 2009 | 09:28 PM

Rakthi

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Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,493

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From: Belgium

Car battery is about 5 times bigger than yours.
You're lucky the battery still held enough charge for the fuel pump and initializing the ECM!

Sep 22, 2009 | 09:36 PM

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

U car battery is bout 4x's bigger, so go out and turn on Ur light for 6 hrs and see how they are after that...

Sep 23, 2009 | 12:02 AM

av8or

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2009

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your fine. sounds like the battery is great shape.

Sep 23, 2009 | 07:28 AM

tk353

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 5,257

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From: Leander Texas

i had the same and thought my battery was bad so i had auto zone check it for 270cca and the battery tested good. they just dont have a long reserve when left on, something like 18ah

Sep 23, 2009 | 02:46 PM

Mrawsome21

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 180

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From: Dallas, TX

I had the same issue on an '06 Deluxe. No biggie, pushed it down a hill, popped the clutch and rode it back to work. Haven't had an issue since then.

I did kick myself for being an idiot and leaving the ignition on.