Low Battery Warning

[PRD]

If you check manual you will see that there is a low battery warning for main battery as well.

[flatfour]

I have not managed to use the GTR much over the last three weeks, although it has had a short run of some fifteen miles at least weekly. When I came to start it last weekend, the battery voltage showed 11.7 and although the bike started OK, when first running at idle, a warning message came on that said "Low Battery". Within a few moments it went out and 14.5 volts showed.
When I rode the bike, the voltage sat at 14.2 for a long while, eventually rising to the more normal 14.4. On arrival back at home, when idling the voltage declined to 14.1, instead of staying at 14.4 as it usually does.
I telephoned the selling dealer for advice, they said it is fine unless voltage does not come up on starting and it is unlikely that the battery is failing. We will see... when this happened to my BMW K Series, the battery failed shortly afterward.
My bike is a 2011 model, registered 2012 with some 5,500 miles under its wheels.

[O.C.]

I have not managed to use the GTR much over the last three weeks, although it has had a short run of some fifteen miles at least weekly. When I came to start it last weekend, the battery voltage showed 11.7 and although the bike started OK, when first running at idle, a warning message came on that said "Low Battery". Within a few moments it went out and 14.5 volts showed.
When I rode the bike, the voltage sat at 14.2 for a long while, eventually rising to the more normal 14.4. On arrival back at home, when idling the voltage declined to 14.1, instead of staying at 14.4 as it usually does.
I telephoned the selling dealer for advice, they said it is fine unless voltage does not come up on starting and it is unlikely that the battery is failing. We will see... when this happened to my BMW K Series, the battery failed shortly afterward.
My bike is a 2011 model, registered 2012 with some 5,500 miles under its wheels.

Your bike hasn't covered many miles for its age, and perhaps the battery is beginning to show signs of tiredness,  even when the bike is 'parked up' the battery is having to perform some functions, BMW batteries shouldn't be any different to the one fitted to your Kawasaki, (was your BMW fitted with canbus electrics ?)

More regular usage may help the battery to recover a little, but inevitably your battery will require replacement at some stage.

An Optimate can be a useful accessory for topping up your bikes battery whilst the bike is 'resting' 

[flatfour]

OC, you are right in that I mainly use the GTR for distance work a few times a year, usually the annual trip to France or somewhere else in Europe with my daughter and then to get to the more distant shows and events in the UK. It is, though run every week for some 10 - 15 miles. For the closer shows and evening meetings I use the '70s bikes.

The GTR would usually cover around 3,500 miles per year and the two classics that I keep on the road with it about 1,000 miles each. My intention has always been to rotate use of the classics, with those that are not on the road in a given year being brought out in turn, however I think that  idea will have to wait until I retire and have more time!

My BMW was the last of the K1200 RS's, so pre - Can - Bus. One of the main reasons that I chose the GTR was to avoid Can - Bus, as there seem to be lots of issues associated with the system even when new, so it probably will be more troublesome with age. I do have an Optimate 4 in the Workshop and use it in the winter if I cannot make it out on the bikes.

[Boomer]

The GTR has a Canbus. It's used between the various computers and their sensors.
What it doesn't do is use it for stupid things like indicators, headlights and other pointless stuff.

[O.C.]

OC, you are right in that I mainly use the GTR for distance work a few times a year, usually the annual trip to France or somewhere else in Europe with my daughter and then to get to the more distant shows and events in the UK. It is, though run every week for some 10 - 15 miles. For the closer shows and evening meetings I use the '70s bikes.

The GTR would usually cover around 3,500 miles per year and the two classics that I keep on the road with it about 1,000 miles each. My intention has always been to rotate use of the classics, with those that are not on the road in a given year being brought out in turn, however I think that  idea will have to wait until I retire and have more time!

My BMW was the last of the K1200 RS's, so pre - Can - Bus. One of the main reasons that I chose the GTR was to avoid Can - Bus, as there seem to be lots of issues associated with the system even when new, so it probably will be more troublesome with age. I do have an Optimate 4 in the Workshop and use it in the winter if I cannot make it out on the bikes.

I was smiling as I read your comments about the 70s bikes and having to rotate their usage, because I used to (try) and do exactly that when I had a few, and TBH I never really did them justice, which is why I sold most of them and only have one of my own left nowadays plus another permanent resident that lives with me.

As I've got older I find it more difficult to walk past my modern bike and stick my leg over a 70s model....however there are still those days when the only thing that will fix the urge is my 70s Triple 

[jonathan]

If you check manual you will see that there is a low battery warning for main battery as well.

I have been through the manual and cannot find anything like this. The only warnings I can find are:

"Tire Pressure Sensor Low Battery"
"Transponder Low Battery"

Here is the link to the manual. Could you please point out what page this is on, because I am getting frustrated at not being able to find it.

http://www.kawasaki-techinfo.net/showOM.php?view_lang=EN&spec=US&book_no=99987-1551&lang_code=EN

Thanks.

[flatfour]

I actually prefer the older bikes for local journeys etc. I find that the CB500/4 is perhaps the most involving of those in use at the moment, as it sounds wonderful when ridden hard and I really enjoy working it to get the best out of it, without "overworking" it.

The CB 750 has much more power and is physically bigger, and can be ridden at low speeds without me wanting to continually open it up! I don't think that it sounds so nice as the 500 though, but it is better for higher mileages.

In general, I use the 500 for journeys of up to 100 miles, the 750 for up to 150 miles and the GTR for bigger distances or where I want the heated grips and luggage capacity.

This seems to work well, but other bikes that should be used are neglected at times.

[PRD]

Jonathan, page 37 and 38 of UK manual.

[O.C.]

I actually prefer the older bikes for local journeys etc. I find that the CB500/4 is perhaps the most involving of those in use at the moment, as it sounds wonderful when ridden hard and I really enjoy working it to get the best out of it, without "overworking" it.

The CB 750 has much more power and is physically bigger, and can be ridden at low speeds without me wanting to continually open it up! I don't think that it sounds so nice as the 500 though, but it is better for higher mileages.

In general, I use the 500 for journeys of up to 100 miles, the 750 for up to 150 miles and the GTR for bigger distances or where I want the heated grips and luggage capacity.

This seems to work well, but other bikes that should be used are neglected at times.

and the 500/4 always had a very distinctive and evocative sound...........for a four stroke that is  ..... only kidding 

[virginiajim]

Jonathan, page 37 and 38 of UK manual.

Hmmm, I don't see anything in my 08 manual on a message for a low main battery..

[Ant]

Hmmm, I don't see anything in my 08 manual on a message for a low main battery..

There is in the 2010 on manual Jim. Cant show you a picture as the site won't accept my pics at the moment....

[MGvalerio]

Check the battery connections, make sure they are clean and tight, recharge the battery, and see how long it lasts, eventually buy a new battery as yours is possibly knackered, battery life depends on past usage and yours could be knackered.

Quoto 100%


MG valerio.

[viper]

Jonathan, page 37 and 38 of UK manual.

ive got a 2010 bike and have read pages 37 and 38 and at no point does it say there is a battery warning/low warning message. The paragraph you indicate talks about the battery displaying its voltage message , the one that we are familiar with .  No one else on here has ever your phantom message , so I think its time to concede that you must have been getting confused with a low transpoder warning or tps warning.

the manual link that Jonathon posted for the pre 10 manual has the exact same wording as my post 10 manual, just on page 32 instead of 37.

[SirToU]

They do have a low main battery warning....  Mine is a 2010...

Because work is only 2.5 miles, it's not enough to keep the battery topped up.

The bike is a 2010 with 52k on the clock.

Next time I get a warning, I'll get a picture....

Neil