ATV Florida Forum

question: my buddy swears that his 2005 yfz doesnt have any battery charging capabilities. he says he has to charge his battey every few rides. he also says various dealers told him the same thing. that must be a pain in the but to charge your battery all the time.  i argued with him that there was no way yamaha would design a bike like that.
 is this true?

That doesn't sound right to me.

cant be right, id try a new battery if it wont hold a charge.

i coudlnt find anything concerning the battery
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelfeatures/323/0/features.aspx

maybe yamaha considers it to be strictly a track bike so they figured, "what the heck".

Not an uncommon problem.  Don't know if the 2005's have the problem, but the 2004's do.  Read here:

http://www.bluetraxx.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=61514

tries to read but requires a password. maybe you can copy and paste the article.

you'll have to create an account with them.  The thread is 3 pages long.  I could copy and paste into a pm?

Should have bought a Honda!

I find it hard to believe that a company who can engineer an impressive machine like the YZ would fail to have satisfactory battery function.

Seems like something must be drawing it down.

I knew Suzukis headlights shut off but continue drawing if you don't flip the switch.

thanks for the info. i cant believe that placing aload on it(turning on headlights) would actually make it charge more.

The YFZ is Known to over charge that is why they rec. running with the Headlights on to prevent to battery from over charging. They are plauged with battery issues. is this thing not under warranty still?

still under warranty but the dealer told him it was normal and he had to buy a charger.

Id find another dealer

Remember previous posts about dealers and there crappy attitudes and unwillingness to help the customer. As for running it with head lights I have seen that before especially on some older large over the road trucks with an aftermarket alternator. Must put a “load” on the battery for the Alternator/generator to kick in. As for the dealer always get a second opinion!!!!! You can not put electricity drawing components and not have it recharge the bike! It would stink if you were in a trail and the battery died. Then what? Bring that new generator you got for hurricane season on a trailer? Tag it along on the trails? Wouldn’t work very well after your first water crossing. By the way I would really like to know what dealer that was so I know not to take my business there. Sorry this really angers me… Lie to the unsuspecting customer in order not to resolve a problem.

i've had my yfz for about 4 months haven't had any problems

Ive had my 05 YFZ for over 3 months, no problems here.  I do run with the lights on, though. 

What really happen is that the rectifier has problems, this is the one takes care of the charging and sending power to the CDI, so when you put the lights on, this activate the charging sistem and you have more volts. In this case the problem is not over charge, is that it doesn't have enough charge. Put your lights on and when ever you get a chance buy this rectifier, like $70 if I'm not wrong.
There is a Ton of info, about this problem and many other tips on www.yfzcentral.com Good luck and keep enjoing your YFZ  ;D

there is an article in dirt wheels this month on this subject. it says to keep the lights on....... its under the new yfz article

If he took his lights off, he'll need a GYTR resistor kit, or his battery WILL die. Yami messed up on the battery, but hey at least they attempted it unlike some OTHER brand out there  :P

This is a common problem with the YZF's. My friend works at a dealer and he said the customers would come back saying that they had a charging issue. He told me the reason but can't remember. Something about the #'s of amps is too low to charge the bike adiquitly. They should of designed a kickstarter on it as a just in case measure.  -Mark

Hey Old-school, the YFZ can be provided with the kick started if any one like to, and keep the electric one.