2015 Kawasaki KLX140 Owners Manual - Page 82

MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT 81 Battery The battery installed in this motorcycle is a sealed type, so it is not necessary to check the battery electrolyte level or add distilled water. However, in order to maximize battery life and ensure that it will provide the power needed to start the motorcycle you must properly maintain the battery's charge. When used regularly, the charging system in the motorcycle helps keep the battery fully charged. If your motorcycle is only used occasionally or for short periods of time, the battery is more likely to discharge. Due to their internal composition, batteries continually self discharge. The discharge rate depends on the type of battery and ambient temperature. As temperatures rise, so does the discharge rate. Every 15°C (59°F) doubles the rate. Electrical accessories, such as digital clocks and computer memory, also draw current from the battery even when the engine stops. Combine such "engine-stop" draws with hot temperature, and a battery can go from fully charged to completely discharged in a matter of days. Temperature Self-discharge Approx. Number of Days from 100% charged to 100% discharged Lead-Antimony Battery 40°C (104°F) 100 Days 25°C (77°F) 0°C (32°F) 200 Days 550 Days Current Drain Days from 100% Days from 100% Discharging charged to 50% charged to 100% Ampere discharged discharged 7 mA 10 mA 15 mA 20 mA 30 mA 60 Days 42 Days 28 Days 21 Days 14 Days 119 Days 83 Days 56 Days 42 Days 28 Days Lead-Calcium Battery 300 Days 600 Days 950 Days j In extremely cold weather the fluid in an inadequately charged battery can easily freeze, which can crack the case and buckle the plates. A fully charged battery can withstand sub-freezing temperatures with no damage.