CRF 150F Battery questions

[dsrpilot]

Woo Hoo, My first problem to post !!

Is this a good thing?

BTW, we are new to the dirt bike thing as all the bikes were purchased used in the July-August time frame.

Anyway, I have a 2007 CRF150f that I purchased USED in July 2009, but was originally sold from the dealer in May 2009. Only a few months on the road and (hopefully) out of the crate.

We went to ride yesterday and it had a dead battery after about 15 days of not riding. We were able to bump start the bike (no kickstarter) and as long as we didn't stall it on the trails, or stopped with a hill in front of us we were fine. After over 3 hours of riding, the battery had been charged up enough to start via the magic button.

This has prompted a few questions...

1. Is 3+ hours of riding to charge the battery a normal time frame? Seems reasonable to me, just wondering.

2. Does the stator charge the battery at all rpms, or do higher rpms charge the battery faster?

3. In the past, we didn't bother to turn the key off when not in use as I figured there was nothing to discharge the battery (lights, etc). Of course, now I'm thinking this may not be the best idea. Does leaving the key on allow the battery to discharge?

4. I'm assuming the dealer didn't install and charge the battery in 2007, but unpacked one when it was first purchased in 2009, but am not sure of that fact. Should I just pop the $40 at the local auto parts store for a new one? Having a dead battery while on the trail was a real headache for my wife and I really don't want that to happen again if I can avoid it.

Thanks in advance for your replies...
_________________
'04 CRF80 (son)
'07 CRF150F (wife)
'07 CRF230F (me)

[motogpnut]

Five of us all have 06 or newer bikes and all have had some sort of battery problems,some people have said that the factory did not supply a good battery but after a few changes no more problems.

1. Never leave the key on

2.Tighten battery cable connections regularly

3.Start bike as often as you can and let idle

4.Use a trickle charger if you don't ride very often

5.Not sure if everyone will agree with this one but disconnect the kill switch especially if you have changed bars.

Hope this helps

[jjgabe]

I have had a similar issue when I leave the key on. I have found to always turn the key off. And I use a battery tender to maintain the battery before rides. Not sure about disconnecting the kill switch. I have pro taper honda mini bars. My wife loves them, they are a little taller and narrower, but I have her just use the key to shut down after riding to prevent leaving it on.
_________________
Gabe
06 YZ125
08 CRF150R
07 CRF150F
07 CRF80R

[dsrpilot]

A little update from my post.

It's been about a week and a half since the dead battery.

Since the battery accepted a charge from the stator while riding and my battery charger didn't indicate a bad cell I went ahead an put a full charge in it instead of replacing it. Took a few hours at 2 amps, but did show full at the end of the charging cycle.

Going out riding today, and *tested* both bikes with batteries last night and both seem to be just fine.

Both have had the keys off since we last rode.
That must have been the issue.

Now I've gotta re-train the old brain to check the keys and make sure they're off.


--Keep it between the ditches, unless like me, your intent is to be in the ditches!
_________________
'04 CRF80 (son)
'07 CRF150F (wife)
'07 CRF230F (me)