Anyway, 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic Lt.

The battery is not long for this world. I ride every day back and forth to work, rain, sleet, snow, or shine. Not a fair weather rider.

What effect will a daily morning run to work,8 miles (4 on surface streets and 5 on interstate) and then home again at night have on the battery? I’m guessing not enough running to charge it. 8 months of ownership on a bike that had a new batter from the dealership I bought it from and it’s not having enough power to start the bike. It turns over, but won’t catch unless I put it on a charger for a while. Three days later, same thing.

I now know I have a 16 amp battery in what was supposed to be an 18 amp system. Dealership wasn’t a Kawasaki dealer. Battery catalogs didn’t even show my bike. They said “16 amp is standard”. The same mechanic also said that my bike doesn’t have an alternator. He said it has something similar, and then went on to describe an alternator. I didn’t have the heart to tell him he just described an alternator. The rectifier was a dead giveaway. He also claimed that the ………. power supply thingy ………. didn’t actually charge the battery, just “maintained” it. I gave up.

Anyway, I need to know what battery is supposed to be in that bike, what the best battery type and size is (that physically fits) for daily commuting and short jaunts, and what to do to keep a reliable charge on it besides burning gas.

Thanks!

John Campbell

Ps. California, Kern County.

I had my motorcycle in to my mechanic about a month ago. He did not replace my battery; it was a spring tune up. I had it for about three weeks and the battery died started turning over upon the release of my ignition button. I jumped it and it rode for a few days and then died. I jumped it again and it lasted a day. I knew either I fried the battery or it was just at the end of its life so I replaced it.

I got a new battery and a charger, charged the sucker up and went on my merry way. This morning (two week later) I went out and The General (that’s what I call my motorcycle) wouldn\‘t turn over at all. So I pulled my battery out and it is on the charger for the day (it is a multi-stage).

So to my question over the past month it has been raining a lot (every other or every 3 days at least) I have my motorcycle outside uncovered in the rain. I ride every day rain or shine it is my main vehicle at the moment. Is the rain affecting the battery and will a cover help (a cover is my only option as i do not have a garage)