Biking blues...

[Lindsey]

Well, I finally got around to putting plates on the Ninja. I was really really excited about it. People have been riding around for a couple months now and I've been feeling some jealousy! So today I got to my grandma's house, where it was stored for the winter. I opened the garage door and took it outside to start it up. Nothing. Not only would it not start, none of the lights or anything even came on. Dead battery So then we went about taking all the plastic off and pulling the tank off to get to the battery. We boosted it and it started but stopped as soon as the cables were gone. We put it on a charger, and an hour later it was still dead. So now it's time for me to drop another $150 on a battery.
I'm blaming my dad for this one. Every sportbike owner I know had told me to take the battery out and keep it inside during the winter, because if it freezes in the unheated garage it would be toast. My dad said that's bs and it should be fine! He said it was too much work to take the tank off, and why would they build them like that if you were supposed to take the battery out? This fall I'll know better!
Anyways, so this is a pretty disappointing day for me. I know lots of people are probably like "It's just a bike, it's just another week without riding" but we only get like 4 or 5 months of good riding weather up here so every day counts lol. I have missed it terribly over the winter!

[DianaB]

I'm sure that you'll have it up and running in a day or two. Just be glad that it's the battery and not something that it would have to go in the shop for. It could be worse. You'll still have plenty of days to feel the wind blow through your hair!!!!

[Lindsey]

That's very true. I'm glad it isn't anything worse, because my warranty expired at the end of March and I decided not to renew it. The bike is only a year old, so what could really go wrong? Of course, that almost always means that something WILL go wrong! But at least the battery is something I can do myself!

[judy]

And it's not terribly expensive. I hope you get it back soon!

[Janet]

We will need a picture of you riding the bike ya know???

[Tink]

Bummer Lindsey!
I hope you get to enjoy it after all this hassle!

[Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Janet

We will need a picture of you riding the bike ya know???

I'll be sure to get someone to take a picture of me this year For now, here's a picture of the bike last year after I washed it. I love the color. I call it "cute" but the guys don't like that term lol
I got a call from my dad this afternoon, and he had talked to a friend of his who told him that sometimes bike batteries will need to be hooked up to a charger for at least 24 hours before they hold a charge, so it is now hooked up to the charger in my grandma's garage. He told me not to go out and buy a new one until I find out if it works in a day or two. It's good news if it works, but if not there's another couple of days wasted! I guess I'd be more sad if the weather was going to be nice this week, so luckily the forecast is rain!

[judy]

It's a real beauty! I hope the charger works. Wear a helmet! (Sorry - the mom in me).

[Lindsey]

Originally Posted by judy

It's a real beauty! I hope the charger works. Wear a helmet! (Sorry - the mom in me).

It's illegal to not wear a helmet here, so I made sure to get a pretty baby blue one with flowers on it And I'm really paranoid... I never get on the bike without wearing my jacket, gloves, helmet, and boots. Last year I was just driving around the block from the front to the back of my house, so I didn't put on the boots or my jacket and it felt too weird!

[Lindsey]

UPDATE! My dad bought me an early birthday present and gave me a battery for my bike So I got it back here and had my uncle put it in for me last week. I went over to my grandma's last night to pick it up, and of course I didn't call first and my grandma wasn't home! Luckily my uncle was there (he lives in her basement suite) and he opened the garage for my brother and I. We pulled the bike outside, put the key in, and NOTHING. Oh my gosh I was so frustrated! I called my dad to make sure he had the battery charged and yep, it was charged. Brand new battery and it still wouldn't start. By this time I really just wanted to kick the bike over! I was not impressed! So my brother started taking the fairings off again, and finally found a fuse for the ignition. The fuse was blown! I didn't need a new battery the whole time! He replaced the fuse and it started right up! So I rode home, and the first ride of the year went very well I thought I'd be a little more shaky and I thought I'd at least stall once, but nope!
After getting home, my brother decided we should go for a ride, but I couldn't remember how much gas I put in last fall so I wanted to check before leaving. I put my key in the gas tank thinger and it wouldn't turn! I could not get my gas tank open My brother tried everything, oiling it and pushing it down (to break rust if it was rusted) and it wouldn't open. I called a friend who said he'd come over tonight. So tonight I called him and he was on his way over when I decided I'd just go out and try it one more time. Tried turning the key once, it wouldn't budge. Tried it again, still nothing. One more time, and it turned and opened right up! I think maybe yesterday's oil might have worked its way through the lock
So it was a bit of a late and frustrating start, but biking season for me has officially begun!

[Janet]

Great news Lindsey! Things to note to get ready when time comes to put it up for the year. You have a great time and stay safe, your bike is really cute!