Alternator Problem w/ Mean Streak

[ppark]

How long can you ride with a full battery and bad alternator?

When I left for ride this morning, my 2004 MS battery was fully charged (I had it hooked up to a battery charger). After about 50 mile ride, I came home and hooked up the battery to the charger (my usual practice). Usually, it takes only a few seconds for the green light to come on, indicating full charge. However, today it took over an hour to fully charge the battery after a 50-mile ride. Something is not right.

My initial thought was that the alternator was bad so I followed the service manual and checked the voltage output. I get nothing. I think the stator is bad. It's one of those times you wish you were wrong.

My Kawasaki Good Times Protection Plan expires next Feb. I think it should be covered under warranty. Does anybody know for sure?

[Illus]

Just to ask, why do you hook it up to the battery charger after every ride?

[zedx11]

it will take just a phone call to your dealership to find out for sure if it is covered under your warranty.

[ppark]

Originally Posted by Illus

Just to ask, why do you hook it up to the battery charger after every ride?

Just a habit and it only takes a few seconds. It turns out to be a good habit since I was able to detect the alternator problem before I got stranded on the road.

[ppark]

Originally Posted by zedx11

it will take just a phone call to your dealership to find out for sure if it is covered under your warranty.

I called AAA and got it towed to the dealer. They said if it is the alternator it is covered under warranty. They won't be able to look into it until this Friday.

[breath-easy]

AAA covers towing your bike?

[ppark]

Originally Posted by breath-easy

AAA covers towing your bike?

You need the RV/MC coverage which is extra.
This was the first time I used the AAA MC towing service and I was very impressed. After asking a few details about the bike, they had the flatbed towing truck w/in 20 minutes.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by ppark

You need the RV/MC coverage which is extra.
This was the first time I used the AAA MC towing service and I was very impressed. After asking a few details about the bike, they had the flatbed towing truck w/in 20 minutes.

That's good to hear. I just mighthave to add the Nomad to the line up. Last time I needed AAA for the bike I was rudly informed that "motorcycles aren't covered. That'll be $56." - Dead battery in old Yamaha Venture. I was located in a parking lot two miles from the house.

[TJ1600MS]

Originally Posted by ppark

How long can you ride with a full battery and bad alternator?

My initial thought was that the alternator was bad so I followed the service manual and checked the voltage output. I get nothing. I think the stator is bad. It's one of those times you wish you were wrong?

This is the very reason I want to install a volt meter, you can tell at a glance right away when your alternator is gone. Then if you immediately pull out the headlight fuse it will save a huge draw on the battery, letting you run a lot longer on the charge that is left.