I accidentally switched on my parking lights when I locked the handbars on my 400 Burger, when I returned my battery was completely dead. After a 30 minute charge it managed to start. Do you think my battery is on the way out, it seems strange that the parking lights drained it in about 4 hours?

Been there and done that 2 years ago,I fully charged it and never had a problem since.She starts first time 99% of the time after being left out in ALL weathers.
Dave

Your battery will be fine, give it a 24+ hour charge.
Suzuki need to improve the switch operation as it's too easy to put the parking lights on when locking the steering. I have suggested to them to put a 2-3 second warning buzzer when the parking lights are engaged.

Thanks for your answers, I have charged the battery overnight so am hoping that everything will now again be fine. It is true that it's too easy to put on the lights when locking the steeering, did you get any response with your suggestion bornagainbiker?

Just the standard 'thanks for the suggestion'. We'll see when 'if any' new models appear? I would think a diy job linking in a buzzer would be possible, just like the indicator warning kits available.

Why do they even have a parking light system when they must know that the battery will be drained so quickly

I think it is compulsory in some countries

Donnyman wrote:Why do they even have a parking light system when they must know that the battery will be drained so quickly

Why to sell you chargers of course

You use about 2Amps on side lights, so 4 hours=8amp/hours used, by the time you press the starter button and it wants 20amps, hungry little bugger, the battery says no, it will fully charge and be fine. In fact certain batteries like being fully discharged and recharged every now and then, otherwise they get lazy.

I saw an advert in a classic bike mag not so long ago for Li-Ionbatteries for bikes, the idea being that they are smaller and hold more charge for their size.

Has anyone had any experience of these?