This may be a dumb question....

[Redneck_RAT]

....but why do so many motorcycles have the parking light setting on the ignition right after the "off" setting and not right before the "on" setting? I only ask b/c I made the bone-headed mistake of accidentally turning the key to the parking setting the other night and didn't know it. Imagine my surprise this morning when I came out to find the bike cold and dead. To add insult to injury, I was forced to cage it to work today. And it is sunny and low 80s here today. Ugh. Why can't Triumph protect me from my moronic self?

[cheapbastard]

well... it does make sense that yer bike would be turned off when it is parked. :hammer: :-D

Sorry to hear ya had to cage it to work, I've been riding all week. :-D :-D :-D

[Redneck_RAT]

Right, but why not make the parking light position on the ignition in between the "off" and "on" position? Not to excuse my stupidity for not checking but it would seem to make more sense to have it after "off" setting. Is there some electrical reason for it, beacause I have seen it like this on every bike I have ridden.

[BillT]

I think it has something the do with the lock mechanism. The idea of the 'Park' position is to let you keep your lights on while parked for a short period of time and take the key with you - a visibility/safety thing.

I also think it goes back to when all cars had the 'ACC' position past the 'OFF' position. Some american cars are still this way.

[scrannel]

Yeah, in Europe still occasionally see bikes (and cars) parked with "parking lights" on. That's why they're called parking lights...

[Redneck_RAT]

You see that in US, too. But usually it is a moron like me who doesn't know they have them on.........man am I bitter about not being able to ride today.

[J_DOGG]

I did that once but happened to walk past my garage and notice a light on in side.

Open the door and see my head lights on....

Now that I know it's a non issue but I agree a better location in the chain of events might prevent a costly blunder.

[pbrownw]

I've done it a couple times, funny thing is just today I did it when I parked it at work, luckily I noticed it as I was walking away. And today was a great day to ride.

[supergiantrobot]

if you ever drive a newer mercedes they have a L and R park light on the switch past the OFF. If you turn the switch all the way to the left, its not off, its left parking lights. never understood the point of that.

[Redneck_RAT]

I almost forgot. When I took the seat off to investigate the cause of my lack of power this AM, I noticed that 1) the battery strap had broken (yea) and 2) an unusual cable looking thing with some sort of plug on the end of it was laying in the companrtment. I had not noticed that plug before and assumed it was supposed to be attached to a small metal plate that was attached to the fender pan. Does any one know what this thing is? And does it go where it think it does? Thanks.