10-29-2019, 12:05 PM
This summer I left the ignition switch on for just 10 minutes in the heat of the sun (it was so bright out I didn't notice my headlight was on). It was enough to kill the battery to the point where the starter failed. I reckon my battery was already at end-of-life given it was over five years-old. Furthermore, this happened after an hour doing slow and rough/dirt back roads, so engine RPM was low.
Home was a long way away. I do know that riding at and over 3000 RPM charged the battery well because I made a few gasoline and bio-breaks along the return trip and the starter motor turned over. I suspect maybe 2500 RPM might be "par" since the generator has to power everything else on the bike too when riding. In any case, because I was returning mostly freeway (essentially non-stop), my revs were between 3000 and 4000 RPM nominally.
Home was a long way away. I do know that riding at and over 3000 RPM charged the battery well because I made a few gasoline and bio-breaks along the return trip and the starter motor turned over. I suspect maybe 2500 RPM might be "par" since the generator has to power everything else on the bike too when riding. In any case, because I was returning mostly freeway (essentially non-stop), my revs were between 3000 and 4000 RPM nominally.