My '01 with 7020 miles decided not to start for my trip home. When I turned the ignition key on the low oil pressure and neutral light were dim. Hitting the starter resulted in barely turning it over. After that nothing. No indicator lights or dim head light.

I was able to push start it and it idled fine, but when I tried to give it any gas the engine ran poorly and was backfiring. When I gave it gas the neutral light would start to go dim. At idle the neutral light would be strong, but flicker.

Is this just the battery? How do I check the alternator to see if it is charging.

The bike is run regularly and ran fine while I ran errands during lunch.

The battery is only one year old.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks. R

Is it possible that you left the ignition in the P(ark) position after lunch?  It happened to me again about a week ago after I parked at home.  (I discovered it a few minutes later by the most freakish chance - whew!)

For information on testing your alternator, etc. see the Charging system thread.

Meanwhile, yes ... your battery could be getting "tired" after 3 years.

I don't think I left the parking lights on, but I am not 100% sure. I didn't notice them on at all as I approached the bike....of course by then the lights would have been out.

The battery is only 1 year old so I'm hoping I left the parking lights on, but after I install a new battery I will check to see if it is charging at all.

Thanks for the info. Kerry.

R

My batt died not too long ago (I push started it), and the backfiring you are describing was exactly what I noticed. Lets take a couple of guesses:
1) You twisted the throtle and it didn't pull and then backfired.
2) you turned on the blinker and it started to play "rodeo" with it's role as the bull.
3) When you tested the voltage it was bellow 11volts. If it's bellow 10volts, then it's dead. If it's above 10 volts, then you can recharge it.

Good luck
Cheers
-Denis S.

My battery lasted about 14 months and I used the bike all year.

dsmirnov83 & mp183 thanks for the input. Glad to know what I experienced was not abnormal.

Next purchase will be a battery charger and I will do a quick check of the charging system.

Usually I look back at my bike as I walk away from it, but after lunch yesterday, I may not have.....so maybe I did leave the parking lights on  :dunno: .