almost rode today

[belome]

Bump starting gets the motor turning by the rear wheel pulling the chain, pulling the c/s sprocket, through the clutch, and then the crank (yes I missed a few things); normally you don't start the bike with the clutch engaged.  It might "wear" the clutch fiber plates, and that's why it's not always suggested as a way to start your bike.  Occationally, when the circumstances warrant its need, ok.

Wow, I have never heard that argument.  I would think the clutch goes through a lot more abuse in everyday riding than it would bump starting the bike... but it was still an interesting theory.

[scratch]

Bump starting 'shocks' the clutch as opposed to smoothly feeding in the clutch when riding normally.

[belome]

You must ride a bit smoother than me...  I mean, when drag racing you pretty much rev the motor and dump the clutch... which has to be pretty 'shocking' to the clutch also.

[afplayboy18]

well something weird happened yesterday because when i went to ride it today it fired right up, no problem.

Sure you didn't leave the "parking" lights on the first time? Fits the symptoms, and it's amazingly easy to do on a GS- I've caught myself walking away with the lights on a couple of times (once about 10 minutes ago), and others have pointed it out to me a couple of times...

"parking lights"??

when i turn the key off everything goes off...there's nothing to leave on if im correct...atleast i dont ever remember seeing anything on after i take the key off. 

even if i did leave it on the battery wouldnt charge up on its own would it??

[Alphamazing]

You must ride a bit smoother than me...  I mean, when drag racing you pretty much rev the motor and dump the clutch... which has to be pretty 'shocking' to the clutch also.

Riding smooth is the key to riding fast. Dumping the clutch is bad technique.

[average]

whats the difference between a float charger and a trickle?

[scratch]

I wonder what would be faster in drag racing, keeping the revs high in the powerband and feeding in the power with the clutch, or dumping the clutch and waiting for the rpm's to get back up to the shift point?  I don't drag so I don't know, but this is interesting.

[scratch]

whats the difference between a float charger and a trickle?

They're pretty much the same.  A float charger just keeps a battery topped up, while a trickle charger will actually charge a battery til it's topped up (same thing).

[average]

 :laugh:if its.....not too much trouble, i was wondering if anyone could answer my question?

[average]

bump

[Alphamazing]

:laugh:if its.....not too much trouble, i was wondering if anyone could answer my question?

and...

whats the difference between a float charger and a trickle?

They're pretty much the same.  A float charger just keeps a battery topped up, while a trickle charger will actually charge a battery til it's topped up (same thing).

[Cal Amari]

well something weird happened yesterday because when i went to ride it today it fired right up, no problem.

Sure you didn't leave the "parking" lights on the first time? Fits the symptoms, and it's amazingly easy to do on a GS- I've caught myself walking away with the lights on a couple of times (once about 10 minutes ago), and others have pointed it out to me a couple of times...

"parking lights"??

when i turn the key off everything goes off...there's nothing to leave on if im correct...atleast i dont ever remember seeing anything on after i take the key off. 

even if i did leave it on the battery wouldnt charge up on its own would it??

Your GS does have a parking light; turn the key all the way left past the "OFF" position to the "PARK" position, and you'll see the taillight turn on. Some states require the motorcycle to be illuminated if it is parked on a dark road (i.e., broken-down) at night.

See this thread from the FAQ:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?&topic=17998.0

That will show you how to disable the parking light, so it won't drain the battery if you leave it on.

In Europe, most countries require parking lights front and rear, so Euro headlights have an extra bulb inside (or a second, smaller light, nounted in a fairing, for example).

See this thread for more details:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?&topic=3064.0

Now you know, you really do have a parking light... I don't think your battery actually charged itself; I tend to think that you didn't leave the parking light on last night, so therefore the battery wasn't drained the next time you started the engine...

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[3

[afplayboy18]

damn...didnt know that...guess i skipped over it in the manual.

if i turn it to the left, then take the key out is the light still on....and if so how do i turn it off?

[Wrecent_Wryder]

g3

[Cal Amari]

Just pay attention as you shut the ignition off; turning the key all the way to the left puts the ignition into the "PARK" position, so make sure you don't turn it that far. If your parking light circuit is working (seems like it is), you should be able to see the brake light is ON with the key all the way to the left. Double-check the light; if it IS on, slowly turn the key back toward the right until the brake light goes off. Once you find that position, you should be able to remove the key without a problem; the steering should remain locked, and there shouldn't be a drain on the battery.

Look closely at your ignition; if it is still legible, it should be easy to see the markings around the rim. If it is heavily scarred from use, you'll have to pay close attention to the position of the key to learn where the OFF and PARK positions are located. You could make a mark (with Wite-Out, or a similar product) on the rim of the ignition to indicate the different positions, if the markings around your ignition are no longer legible, to make it easier to turn the ignition OFF without turning the parking light ON.