The Phoenix
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I was out in the summer it was probably 110 degrees or so on the heat index. Going out for a ride and not thinking I turned the bike off with the kill switch without first changing the tranny to Neutral from Drive.
After about 10 minutes I tried starting the bike but only got weakened responses until I knew I was just draining whatever battery power I had remaining. I called for a tow truck. It was an interesting experience
having the bike towed on a flatbed for about 10 miles on an Interstate/ByPass and then local streets until I got home. I put the battery on a charger for 2 days and it started up but would not do so again after shutting it off.
Looking back I realize I made some mistakes - not recognizing that my battery was failing; not checking the voltage on the battery periodically (which you can do with a setting on the dashboard for consistency), and forgetting that in summer months extreme heat will take its toll on the battery so I should periodically attach it to a battery tender.
After that experience I replaced the battery and am more vigilant in doing what I should have done.
After about 10 minutes I tried starting the bike but only got weakened responses until I knew I was just draining whatever battery power I had remaining. I called for a tow truck. It was an interesting experience
having the bike towed on a flatbed for about 10 miles on an Interstate/ByPass and then local streets until I got home. I put the battery on a charger for 2 days and it started up but would not do so again after shutting it off.
Looking back I realize I made some mistakes - not recognizing that my battery was failing; not checking the voltage on the battery periodically (which you can do with a setting on the dashboard for consistency), and forgetting that in summer months extreme heat will take its toll on the battery so I should periodically attach it to a battery tender.
After that experience I replaced the battery and am more vigilant in doing what I should have done.