Bike won't start without the aid of jumper cables. Help?

[brian5060]

Hello everybody,

First and foremost, this is my first post on this great forum. I acquired my 2003 Buell XB9R just a couple months ago for a killer deal. The bike had only 3500 miles on it, and I was able to acquire it for the killer price of $2.5k. It is my first bike and I absolutely love it. I have since put another 1.5k on it and intend to put a lot more on it...with the help of you guys of course!

Back to th problem. This Monday I headed down to the storage unit to take the bike or for a joy ride and much to my dismay it would not start! No response was had whatsoever when I turned the key, it would not even attempt to turn over nor give any response whatsoever (lights, needle movement on gauges, etc.) It was as if there was no battery in the bike at all.

I then brought my car around and tried jumping the bike. I connected the cable and the bike came to life no problem. I kept the cables on for 10mins and as soon as I disconnected the cables, the bike would turn off. Again, it was as if there was not even a battery inside of it. Everything just died.

I then kept the key in the on position and applied the jumper, turned on right away. When I took it off it just ceased.

The last time I rode te bike was the day before this incident, I had no problems whatsoever. Any ideas what may be wrong?

Thanks!

 

[Lesley]

regardless of mileage how old is the battery? It sounds like it just died. If thats an original battery or you do not know how old it is then buy a new. I bet the problem goes away.

 

[treyflee]

I agree with the battery being shot. Also it may be a good time to install a battery tender. I am getting twice the life out of my batteries since installing and using them.

 

[jimijeans]

Brian Welcome tothe Forum,OK, hopefully no damage has occured from a long jumping.It is your first bike so hope this will help. when jumping a small Amps Battery the cables need to be removed as soon as the bike fires up[ NO key on] at all Till You are ready to Start the Bike.! the Battery in a Small vehicle like a bike needs to be charged independently. when it dies then step 2/ is to remove the Battery and test it.is is not a good Idea too jump start the bike and [LEAVE the cables] on long periods of time trying to charge it from an larger Vehicle. That can fry the ECM/ or Regulator doing that should there have been a problem unknown with the wiring or Other areas.
Or key had been left on by accident.
If that had been a Large Amps Battery from a Diesel it would have been a bad day for your wiring .
If the Starter had Stuck(from prior low Voltage) it will melt the wiring together.
The Motorcycle battery is only 200/CCAmps your Vehicle battery is most likely(guessing) it's over 650/CCAmps or more. These newer Fuell injected Engines need good Battery Power for srarting and keeping the bikes Componets working.
Remove the Battery and have it Load Tested OUT of the bike.
Some Auto parts Stores will test it for free. make sure to get a new battery of at Least 200/Cold Cranking Amps, sealed maintenance free.
Your Volts at Idle is usually 12.3 to 12.6 at Idle. and will climb as the rpms go up to about 14/.volts or so depending on year of Bike..
You can also fry the Regulator jumping the Bike for a long period of time. if you need a jump to get started with the Buell jump it without the other vehicle you are using to jump From without it [running] at All. remove the cables Quickly.
If your Engine Dies then it is time for other means so as no Damage to your Bikes Wiring and your Wallet occurs. Hope it is an easy fix.Check the Volts Bike Idling after the new battery install at the Bikes Battery Pos,+ and Neg., Terminals with a multi meter. Good Luck.*Jimi