Strange problem

[tony-1977]

Hey all...

I've had my 2001(Y) Bandit 600 for a year. It ALWAYS starts first time, has been left for a few weeks with no probs, over the last year, and always starts. This morning, I took it out the garage for the first time in 2 months, it groaned and died as the battery was flat. I expected this as it was freezing this morning. I live on a hill, so I rolled it down. Tried 3 times in 2nd and 3rd gear, each time, it started, tried to rev up and died within 1 second. All lights were turned off (but dash-lights were showing) Had to heave it back up the hill to home, with 6 stops to get my breath , jump started it from the car (engine off), and it started and ran FINE the moment I hit the starter. Never missed a beat on my 30 mile ride, and battery is fine now.

Is there any reason why a Bandit cannot be bump started? I'm a car mechanic by trade so know most things. Bike was serviced back in May. Spark plugs are the normal light brown colour and the air filter is clean. Fuel was fresh from my last ride (full tank). If this ever happens again, do I risk bumping it downthe hill, or jump it from the car

Any advice? Cheeeeers...

[Stu]

just sounds like there was not enough charge in the battery to keep it running once you bumped it!!

i have known this on a few bikes

buy an optimate charger and keep it on charge when not in use

or jump it off the car before going down the hill so you dont have to push it back up

[tony-1977]

Just what I thought, wasn't 100% sure, though. I'll take this as a kick up the @rse to use the bike more often!!

[Colin the Bear]

If there's not enough in the battery to create a spark, it's not going to fire on a bump till you're doing enough speed to generate one through the alternator. I picked up a battery jump start pack. A lot less faffing than maneuvering two vehicles together.