Parking light

[rg54669]

Well, Dipstick left the parking light on at work today.  Went to crank it and the battery was toast.  Tried to jump start, it ran for a few miles then called it quits, had to trailer home.  
Does anyone know the recommended charging time for a 2 amp trickle?

[PeteSC]

Most MTC batterys have the charging rates on the top of the battery.
  Just checked the Haynes manual, and they say if you charge with 4-5 amps, only charge for an hour.   They suggest a trickle charger of no more than 1.2 amps, and charging no more than 5 hours.
 I think I'd try an hour, with your 2 amp, maybe an hour and a half, and start the bike.
  2 amps is enough to cook the battery if you leave it on charge too long.
  If you're worried, keep checking the battery to make sure it's not getting hot.  On some of the batteries, (With a translucent sidewall) you can also watch for the electrolyte to bubble.

[rg54669]

Thanks for the info, I am back up and running after only charging for 1.5 hours.  Everything is working again.  
Just went for a short ride and the B12 is screaming again.
Note to self:  Key to Off, not P-E

[Sven]

Well, Dipstick left the parking light on at work today.

No, I did that earlier this summer...oh, you meant some OTHER dipstick besides myself?!  Luckily I saw it at lunch (walking the parking lot for a little heat and humidity) and as able to turn it off before it drained the battery.

Its sooo damned easy to do, and I guess happens a lot since they salesman even made a special emphasis on it when I bought the bike. I would rather have a hazard light that you have to push and twist or similar to what cars have.

[PeteSC]

On my b12, the key switch is getting pretty balky.   I usually lock the fork, and too often....have gone past to the parking light position.
  I know about dead batteries......
   What would it cost to include 4 way flashers in bikes at the factory....$10?
  The parking light thing is so '60's'!!

[Red01]

Kawasakis have had 4-way flashers for YEARS.

OTOH, the Bandit did get them in '04...

[rg54669]

Sven, I see you are from Memphis.  I live in Lakeland and have yet to see the Teal Bandit.  Are you a bike night regular on Beale or Joe's?  I usually go to both but have missed the past two weeks.

[tacoman]

i still don't understand the purpose of this parking light. I know regulations for street bikes require a battery strong enough to illuminate the rear light for a certain length of time.  Typical bureaucrats, have some regulation that has no relevance in the real world.  What I do is after i lock my steering, I cup my hand over the tailight before I leave to make sure its not burning.

[PeteSC]

It's intended to give you some visibility if you have to park on the side of the road, or are broken down.
  It's actually not  a bad feature, but 4 ways are handier, or it would be so easy to use an LED in the tail that wouldn't kill your battery in 4-5 hours.  Actually, a led in the tail-light housing, and one in the headlight would be cool.   That doesn't mean somebody wouldn't run over the bike in the dark, though...

[Sven]

On my b12, the key switch is getting pretty balky.   I usually lock the fork, and too often....have gone past to the parking light position.

Even after only three years, I find the lock can be a little stiff.  My problem is the fork lock is soooo far from the OFF position, but soooo close to the parking light position.  Had only the one close call, which happened in the broad daylight of a summer morning.  I guess if I do it under darker circumstances, I notice it immediately.

[Sven]

Sven, I see you are from Memphis.  I live in Lakeland and have yet to see the Teal Bandit.  Are you a bike night regular on Beale or Joe's?  I usually go to both but have missed the past two weeks.

I've done the Beale street thing a few times, had a good time.  Haven't ever done Joe's of Sidecar on bike nite...too damn crowded...I don't want to work just to get the bike parked!

If you're heading to either one soon, email mail and we'll meet up.

The teal is what Suzi called the '03 Green model...I get more comments on the color being unusual and pretty than I do on the actual bike model.  It's not as "forrest" colored as the official Suzi pix indicated.  See http://www.procycleusa.com/siteart/models/suzuki/Motorcycles/Sportbike/Bandit1200S/03_Bandit1200S

[interfuse]

What I do is after i lock my steering, I cup my hand over the tailight before I leave to make sure its not burning.

My plan is to disconnect the switch from the rear light. I'm sick of triple checking that the light isn't on.

[Sven]

Hey RG, on the commute home also thought of:

--I may have seen your bike on Beale one bike nite...parking in front of BB King's about the 2nd bike off Beal @ 2nd.  Kept watching for the owner, but he slipped out before I ever saw him.

--You may be interesting in this thread:  http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=3160

[rg54669]

Yeah, that was probably me.  I usually park up top with a Triumph Daytona and Kawasaki ZX12.  I should be there this week around 8:00.  We normally ride down separately and then ride to Joe's with a group of 4 to 12.  It is cool riding with everything from Katana's to Harley's.  If you don't have a pipe, just stay way back.  I rarely hear my stock pipe while we are riding.