The Battery???

Hi, could anyone help me please. Its been 1 week and 3 days since the purchase of my first SV. I can't fault it, its absolutely superb. BUT, I went to start it up to go for a nice sunday drive in unusually sunny Scottish weather and it didn't start up or anything. As the day progressed, I kept trying to start it but the lights went more dim and the neutral light eventually dissappeared. Is this the battery as I think this is what it is? Is this a common fault? If so, what is the likely causes? Cheers.

if the lights were on, im guessing its a pointy. if not, and its a curvy turn the lights off, to start the bike.

what happened when you tried to start it? if nothing at all, it sounds like it could be somthing simple like kill switch, or clutch/sidestand switch

[fizzwheel]

Sounds like a flat battery...

Could use a bit more info about your SV, i.e. what year it is, what model it is, milleage that kind of thing. When talking about batteries its also useful to know if the bike is alarmed.

Buts it likely to be.

1. The battery is old and not holding charge

2. Bikes been stood for ages and the batteries gone flat

3. Its really common for Curvey SV's to blow the regulator / rectifier, which means then the battery doesnt get any charge / it knackers the battery

Personally I'd get the battery on charge and then try and start it again once its had time to charge up.

If you havent got a charger, look at getting an optimate, when your not using the bike, you can leave it plugged into the optimate, assuming you can get power into your garage and or your bikes not parked on the street, this keeps the battery in good condition so that the bike will start when you want it to.

The battery is under the main riders seat, to get at it, you want to take off the 2 side panels under the seat and then you'll be able to unbolt the riders seat and lift up the flap that covers the battery up.

More about optimates here :

http://www.accumate.co.uk/it010003.html

If you do a search on checking the voltage by "Sid Squid" he wrote a really good post on how to use a multimeter to check that the charging circuit is working properly. Probably wise to check this before you invest in a new battery, but like I said try getting it charged up first...

HTH

Cheers a million man. its a pointy, 56 plate. it does have an alarm and I was told this could effect it. Mileage, 6300 miles. SV650S. It was used yesterday, very gentle ride as it was extremely wet so it has been used. I tried bump startin it but I was absolutely HOPELESS! I have access to a charger so I shall give it a go. Cheers.

In terms of starting it I simply did the usual, ignition on, clutch in and start. It sounded like it wanted to turn over but progressively I just heard the ticking of the ignition and nothing else so I gave up.

[fizzwheel]

If the battery wasnt flat it is now what with the lights etc going dim on you.

Get some charge into it and then try it again. If you've been out in the rain, it might, I repeat might, have a wet front spark plug that might make it a bit of b*gger to get to run.

Have a search its pretty common for SV's to not run properly after being out in the rain. Its easy to sort out.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah the batterys flat then, if you don't ride the bike, then it'll go flat.

sounds like my bike...........as i dont use it much over the winter, i need to put it on the optimate the night b4, i could just buy a battery, but thats too simple for me

get an optimate, they are well worth it

Cool, I thought it was the battery. cheers for the help everyone. much appreciated.