Headlight on start up with Vulcan 900-

[Capt_Ted]

I sort of figured out that the headlight does not come on until after the bike starts??

Yesteday-

set out the crash bar, luggage rack and light bar for my tech day on my new bike. Note: no brews were damaged in the making of this post so I have no excuse.

Cobra Highway/Freeway/Crash bar goes right on, hardware to move horn fits perfect. Very nice bar. Luggage rack from Cobra goes right on.

I follow instructions on OEM light bar to the letter. Everything fits well.

It says check turn signals-I turn on key and they work. It says check headlight and driving lights. Damn-no lights. Must have blown a fuse. I have not got an owners manual so have to pull bike apart to find fuses. Check ignition key. Check fuses none are blown. So I start to trace the headlight wire. Pull tank and start to chase wires. No luck. Put tank back on. 3 hours have not gone by in 100 degrees but I have a nice fan luckily. Put bike back together and figure I will drive to local shop to get this fixed. I better see if bike starts. I start bike and see lights on the tree. I know you longer time owners are laughing by now. I had no clue that the lights don't come on when you first turn the key. They do stay on after you shut down with the ignition key still on. (message to self-stop bike with ignition key DAMHIK)

Instructions should have said-start bike then check lights. I just did not know.

Lesson learned. Just wanted to pass this along.

I should have RTFIB- read the funny book but it's not funny.

[ricksza]

You're not the first to find this out. At least it only cost you 3 hours. Think what would have happened if you went to the shop.

[Baitis]

It catches a lot of people. No lights until the regulator has output.

[Capt_Ted]

You're not the first to find this out. At least it only cost you 3 hours. Think what would have happened if you went to the shop.

The shop mechanics name is Ben Dover!!

I was just totally stumped and I make a living working in an engine room of boat and pretty good with electronics. It was actually a good way to get acquainted with the innards of my new bike. I have 4 different bikes in the family. It's my first Kawasaki and the engineering details.

I did find some online owners manuals but ordering one from eBay already. I only got one key and no manual but oh what a nice bike.

I did check this forum prior to buying and did not find many issues save the stator going at 12000 miles????

It's a nice feature that the lights don't come on when you start up as it gives a lot more juice to the starter.

I'm shopping for a new battery as this one is 4 years old and I'm looking at some Shorai Lithium ones...

[nvbirdman]

Replacing the battery is up to you, but if you do a search for batteries you will find that some people have 6 year old oem batteries.

[Capt_Ted]

Yep-just load tested the battery-and then stuck on a voltage display and I have to say there must be magic fairy dust to have a 4 year old battery still so strong. I only had loose connections and I used star washers to correct the issue. I'm impressed with the 900.