tail light always on?!

momomaniac · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:20 pm Post subject: tail light always on?!

No key on the ignition. Light switch off. Tail light continually on. I had to unplug the battery in order to get it to turn off. Earlier today I removed the battery box and battery to install a new airbox. Put it all back together without consequence. Is there anything that I could have screwed up? If I hook up the battery the light just goes back on. Whats the deal?

thanks.

Bikegeezer · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:06 am Post subject:

You don't say what model bike this is. But if your bike has a park position on the ignition switch, is it possible that you've removed the ignition key with the lock in the "park" position rather than "off"? That would cause the tail light to be on continuous.

Stu

momomaniac · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:37 am Post subject:

you got it! Kind of embarrasing I didn't notice that. Thanks Stu!

Russell · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:52 pm Post subject:

Its good when the consequence is just embarrassment. My wife left her late model Suzuki Bandit outside her workplace recently, all day with the tail-light going,having turned the ignition to that position,inadvertently, before withdrawing the key. Fortunately we carry phones and I was able to arrive and 'jump' start the bike from my wagon readily.At certain times of day in certain locations the resultant flat battery on a bike with no kick starter creates a potential risky situation that I see as a result of bad design. Perhaps it should be accompanied by an audible alert for a few seconds to ask the departing rider "Did you mean to do this because if you are away from me for all day I'll be flat when you get back?"

Benasaki · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:30 am Post subject:

I did the very same thing this weekend! Took me a bit to figure it out.