Hey everyone,

This week I finally decided to bring my bike in to get the front clutch cover replaced under warranty since the dust and dirt had gotten into the bearing and it started making a loud high pitch squeal. Well stupid me, I decided that I would bring the bike to our local dealer even though I said I would never get my bike serviced there. But I figured it's warranty work, I want pay for it, so I don't mind bringing the bike over. My biggest complaint about this dealer was that they seem to overcharge for service. Well I brought the bike in for service last Monday morning and told them what I figured the problem was. After work that day, I went over and spoke to the service people. They told me that the front clutch cover was defective and that they ordered one from Kawasaki. It would be here on Wednesday, and I could pick up the bike on on Thursday (tomorrow).

So tonight I figured I'd drop into the dealer after they where closed to see if my bike had moved since Monday. Well when I looked inside I seen my bike in the shop area. It was pitch black inside, but I recognized my bike. Suddenly something caught my eye. Something was blinking on the speedo screen. Well the dealer left the key turned on my bike. The lights are shut off, but the bike is sitting inside the shop with the key turned on, sucking the juice out of my battery.

Now I'm debating what I should do? In a way I think I'm making a big deal about this since a battery can always be recharged, but another side of me thinks that I should go confront them first thing tomorrow morning once the dealership opens. Once it opens, I should ask them to start my bike. If the bike doesn't start, I would request a new battery.

Do you guys think that leaving the key on all night with the lights off would drain the battery? If it does drain the battery, once the battery is recharged, will it be as good as new. Or may I run into some problems at a later date.

In a way it really pisses me off that they left the key on. If I wouldn't of had gone over tonight, they probably would of recharged the battery in the morning, and I would of never known about it.

Another thing, when I seen the light blinking, I walked over to the dealership area and seen the owner walking out of the dealer. I walked up to him and explained that my bike was in the shop with the key on. He told me that they would recharge the battery, I said that's not good for a battery to let it drain like that. He said we will have to put a new one. But I know he didn't sound serious about it. He then said that he would call someone to see if they could come in once he got home, but I really doubt he will.

So what do you guys think I should do?

 

Well just came back from the dealer. It's only a 5 minute drive from my house.

No lights are blinking anymore. So the battery is either dead, or someone from the shop went over and shut the key off. The dealer closed at 5:30, I went over at 7:30, it's now 10:15. Do you guys think the battery would die this quickly?

I still think I should go over first thing this morning to see if the bike starts.

 

Dan hour meters are a good thing once in a while... You will know if notice an other 12 hours on you meter... I wouldn't be happy with that extra hours on mine bike. I feel that owner should have went back in and switch it off.

 

Kawi650

I never thought about the hours adding up on the bike. Now that pisses me off even more. I just checked the dealer web site, and the picture of the guy I talked to has a position title called Controller. What ever that means. He gave me the impression that he didn't have the keys to the service area since it's a completely different building then the actual showroom area which he came out off.

 

as long as your brake wasn't set your bike battery should last all night if the lights are off and hand warmers etc... I don't feel it will effect the battery mutch even if it did a complete drain if you get them to trickle charge the battery.

 

Kawi650

When you set the break, does the break light come on? I can't remember. I know the break light wasn't on for certain.

As long as I know I want run into any problems with the battery in the long run, I'm OK with that. Too bad about the hours.

 

The rear brake light does staty on with the emerg brake.

Kawidan, you are a bit like me in that you are a little paranoid about the dealer. Chill on the battery. You will live.

If my quad was in the shop, I might not be as nervous as you.

But, I didn't get a warranty on purpose because I can't stand the dealer working on my machine at all. I took a chance that I would be able to handle whatever broke with a repair manual. I get better customer satisfaction when I do it myself.

 

It is OK to cycle a battery all the way down as long as it don't stay dead for a long period, like weeks. Ask any competent battery shop owner - operator.
It's too bad the hour meter still turns with the engine not running. Are we sure about this?

 

Kawidan,

You must be talking about Phil's? I won't take my quad back there unless i absolutly have to. The last time i was there they charged me 65 bucks to tighten the belt and after i got it home i had to tighten a few bolts they seem to have forgoten about on the cover. I think for 65 bucks i shouldn't have to check to make sure they did there job.

 

Mudmonkey,

Yes I'm talking about Phil's. I try to give this dealer a chance, but I always come out disapointed. I this is a sign to start taking the bike to Woodstock for all service and warranty work.