Engine's dead. Need to get home. Help! (please)

[corndog67]

How old is your bike, and how old is the battery?  An aftermarket battery would probably have a date when it was sold.  When I bought mine the battery died in the first week. 

As for push starting, I put the bike in second, roll it backward until the motor comes up on compression, pull in the clutch while still pulling it backwards until the plates break loose, then put it in neutral, get a good run, pull in the clutch, jump on, shift it into second, dump the clutch at the same time, it takes a little practice, but when you back it up first, it lets the engine get a full turn in before it hits compression.  Usually starts right up.  If it's going to start.

[LimaXray]

Ok, lead acid batteries, with the exception of deep cycle batteries, need to be charged SLOWLY if they are totally drained.  This is why the recommended charge rate is 1A for 10 hours.  The gernerator on the bike will dump too much current down its throat so it won't charge well.  Yeah, it will charge the battery, but it will shorten its life a bit.  It's really up to you

[Phaedrus]

And my co-workers thank you for the entertainment I provided trying to run while straddling my bike. 

Yeah, I had to pop start my bike once while riding with a fellow gstwin member down in PA (LadyJules31). She still teases me about it every once in a while: "How many running, flying leaps does it take to start a blue Gs500F"? 

I had to pop start it after it died at a toll booth too, all the cars prolly thought I was nuts.

Good to hear your back at it 

[niteshade]

I've had my GS for a few months now, and this is the main problem I've dealt with so far.  Basically, bike batteries suck.  I'm on my fourth battery in four months... mostly my own darn fault, but I've learned you can't be too paranoid.

I've heard from several mechanics that when your battery gets totally drained (by leaving the lights on, say), you're not gonna get it to take a new charge ever again, even with a low-amp charger.  Buy a new one.  Set you back $40.

If your battery is kaputt, riding it around town (even at high RPMs) will not do a dang thing.  I kept my GS over 5K RPM for 40 minutes: the battery was still toast.  Anything over about 3K should be enough to charge the battery.  If the battery is still dead after a decent long ride, get a new battery.

If you get a trickle charger, make sure it is a self-regulating model, so it doesn't overcharge the battery.  I killed a battery this way simply by leaving it on the charger over the winter.  Battery turned into a crusty hulk.  A good brand charger (I've heard) is the "Battery Tender Junior," which you can find on Froogle for like $30.

If you jump from a car, keep the car's engine off.  Otherwise things may explode.  And don't just hold down the starter on the bike until it starts... give it a couple of tries, and if it still doesn't work, give up and bump start.  I drained a perfectly good battery in a Toyota Corolla by holding down the GS starter too long.

I killed two batteries (yes, I know), by leaving the lights on.  I've made it a habit to check the rear light EVERY TIME I get off the bike, because it's so easy to have the bike in "Park" rather than "Lock."  In the daytime, it's really hard to notice that back light is on unless you specifically look for it.

A bit more advice: check your battery occasionally to make sure there's enough water in it, and that the breather hose is securely attached (mine comes off sometimes, and drips acid on the inside of the frame).  And don't ride with your high beams on unless you need them... they drain the battery faster than the low beams.

my $.02

[LPC2104]

Thanks for all the advice.  I think I'm going to change the battery and see if that fixes my problem.  Here's the latest update.

Yesterday morning I had to push start it again.  I rode it 6 miles to work, took the highway and have the RPM's about 5K for 5-6 minutes.  Go into work at 8am, leave 5:15pm and the bike fires up no problem.  So yesterday after work, after the bike fired up no problem, I took it on a trip for about 30 minutes and left the RPM's constantly above 3K.  Went out this morning to start it and, "click click".  Had to push start it again. 

Anyway, I think it's the battery and I'll just change it out.  I've never done it so is there any thing I might want to know before I get started?

You guys are awesome, I can't wait until I know enough to help someone else 

[Jeff P]

Others have mentioned it already, but I'll reiterate.  When you buy that new battery, don't leave the shop without getting a battery tender!  Your bike's charging system is designed to maintain the battery, not to charge it up.  It should not be relied upon for that. 

And besides, a new battery needs to be charged before you can even use it. 

A "Battery Tender Jr." is available at any bike shop and costs $15-20.  This is a must-own item for any motorcyclist. 

jeff

[Kasumi]

When you swap the battery, take seat off, remove any straps holding it in, Then remove posotive, then negative. Lift out, slot in the new battery, hook up negativie first then positive, strap or bolt down as appropriate and then your ready to go, quick 5 minute jobo.

[trumpetguy]

Don't forget the vent hose -- it faces down. The hose goes out the bottom of the compartment the battery is in.  You don't want battery fumes under the seat!