Battery drain

[Mac1]

Just asking. My 650 has a big drain on the battery on starter button. Thankfully it starts but the lights dim and I think if it didn't kick in straight away it would struggle. Tested the battery and it is fine so wondering what might be taking so much power. Any ideas folks?

[Rusty Nuts]

On the L2 the starter button cuts the headlights while cranking. Are you sure this isn't what you are observing?

[vstroman]

It's a good idea to fit a headlight relay kit to protect your starter switch.

[Gert]

For a better understanding on how the starter switch cuts off the headlights, there is nothing better than a pix or two. If you have time, have a look at https://www.stromtrooper.com/threads/how-the-start-switch-starts-the-engine-and-disconnects-the-headlights.390257/. This is one of the sites that has info on the starter switch of the older model DL650. The info basically applies to most of the other model V-Strom as well. Hence the suggestion for the relay kit http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Bike_Specific/VStrom/body_vstrom.html. If you have the skills, you can make your own relay kit or source a kit locally.

[clutchspring]

Have you done basic check's, are the battery cables tight, is the negative cable tight wear it's bolted to the bike.
When you say you've checked the battery don't forget that it may be showing correctly when fully charged but as soon as you put it under load it may show a problem like a dead sell ..
I had a similar problem with  one of my bike's mine was reluctant to start  head light dimming dash lights dimming, I thought it was the battery fitted new one still the same. It turned out to be the starter motor brushes not making a good contact a couple of minutes with a round file did the trick & 25,000 miles later still OK.

Ian.

[kwackboy]

What Ian said ... ☝️