Bike does not start

[nikux]

I just bought this bike last week and am pretty new with motorcycles in america. Please help me with this problem.
I rode the bike in the morning, and when I tried to start it in the evening, it did not start, even the lights for neutral dont get on. At first I thought that I might have left the parking lights on and the battery got discharged. So I got jumper cables and jump-started the bike. It did start with the jump-start method, but the real problem comes now - even after riding the bike for 30mins, I tried again to start the bike but zero response. Not even neutral lights up.. This confuses me.. is this

a) 30 mins were not enough to charge
b) the battery is gone, and i need to replace it
c) some problem with the wiring
d) some different problem altogether?

btw on the side is there any way to turn the head lights off?

[dgyver]

30 minutes is not enough time to charge a dead battery....if it can even take a charge.
For the bike to charge a battery, rpms must be above 4-5k....if it can even take a charge.
Sounds like you need to replace the battery.
There is not a switch to turn off the headlight on USA bikes, it is a safety feature and all states require them.
Someone did post about installing a relay to disable the light while starting the bike and once the the start button was released the headlight would turn on. Less drain on the battery.

[hutch699]

Be careful when you take your key out after parking the bike. If you turn it past the lock point, you turn on the lights. I did this yesterday and luckily my gas man rang my doorbell to tell me. Not sure why i would want to have my lights on in a situation like that, but hey, I am not one to argue. Hope this helps!!

[nikux]

1. How long should I ride the bike to charge the battery enough so that it starts the next time?
2. The battery has Sept 2006 inscribed on it, so I believe that it not worn off and only has been discharged, is there any way to check the life of the battery?
3. which battery charger should I buy to charge it if I charge it electrically?
4. Finally if I need to replace the battery any suggestions?

Thanks a ton for the help, I wonder how could I have managed without this forum

[dgyver]

Not really sure how long riding will charge a battery. I would need to see what the output amps are for the stator.

You can take the battery to an auto parts store and have them test it.

I use a car charger when needed but it is set to 2amps. Some have used a Battery Tender with great results. This will maintain a charge not designed for charging a dead battery.