This still a battery problem? Or could it be something else?

[z315]

Hey guys

Over the winter my battery when dead, made those clicking sounds and did some research. So I got a battery chargered and charged it for about 10 hours and the bike starts!!!! YAY! so i wanted to take the bike for a ride, but... before i even get about a mile out, my bike stalled....got a jump, and stalled again... So now, i just got home and decided to see if the bike would start again, and it does, but i'm worried that if i take it out again it'll stall on me and i'll be stuck on the road for another hour... is still still a battery problem? or could it be something else?

[scratch]

At what rpm does it idle at?

[makenzie71]

the gs isn't a powerhouse...it'll take mroe than a little trip down the road to set the battery up.  Leave a trickle on it over night, or just get a new battery ($20 at wal-mart).

[z315]

Idel when i start the bike? it usally won't start cold unless i have the chock on. in which it hovers around 4 RPM.


And when it comes to riding. i would like to go out for a 20-40 min ride, but it stalls on me i'd say within 2 mins after leaving the house.

and a battery is only 20 bucks at walmart?!

[makenzie71]

some of them...the one on my TL was 19.99 but it leaks (haha something with mounting it upside down).

[dgyver]

some of them...the one on my TL was 19.99 but it leaks (haha something with mounting it upside down).

TL's are supposed to use a sealed battery. 
Last one I bought was around $60.


The GS (as well as most bikes) only really start to provide charging above 5000 rpm.

[makenzie71]

I'm not willing to drive 120 miles to get a sealed battery.  I'd rather just stick a $20 battery in her every year.  Doesn't hurt anything....except the batter :lol:

[dgyver]

At least the R's are supposed to use a sealed battery, since it mounts at an angle. Isn't the S's battery under the seat?

[makenzie71]

Yeah the R mounts sideways so there's no exception for "propper" fitment".  The S can really use either one stock because the battery sits mostly upright...just a 'little' bit of angle.  I've done the gap mod, though, so the battery is reloated under the hump/pillion seat.  The way I did it the battery is learly parallel to the ground, hence the reason it leaks.  I built a clever little drain for it, though, so that it doesn't get on clothes or damage anything.  I have to top the battery off every few weeks, but after about 12 months she's had it.  You should replace the battery ever 12~18 months anyway so I'm coming out on top.

[Jarrett]

You need an Everstart ES12BS sealed battery from walmart.  Do a search for "es12bs" and you will find plenty of threads on how to fit it on the bike.  It does not cost $20.  I remember paying in the range of $60 after tax and core fees.  The stock Yuasa replacement will run you $100+.

[jordanearl]

you can buy a 20 battery at walmart, but its not sealed, you have to add the acid yourself.  but its worth saving $40 to do so.  I bought one 2 years ago, an itts still going strong

[sledge]

You should replace the battery ever 12~18 months anyway so I'm coming out on top.

Is this another one of your daydreams Mak? I brought a 1978 400-4 back to life just over 8 years ago. I replaced the battery then and its still going strong now.

[makenzie71]

Manufacturers suggest 12~18 months.  Doesn't mean the batteries are going to die in 12~18 months...what it means is that it's suggested as routine maintainance.  Just because you're not very concerned with the health of your car's electrical system doesn't mean no one else is.

[scratch]

And when it comes to riding. i would like to go out for a 20-40 min ride, but it stalls on me i'd say within 2 mins after leaving the house.

What does it idle at after a 20-40 minute ride?

[sledge]

I am always concerned about the condition of the electrical system in my cars and bikes, I never let batteries go flat and I trickle charge them if they are being left unused for a long period of time. The service schedule for the GS5 doesnt suggest it has to be replaced even after 48 months. Why should I replace the battery after 12-18 months if it shows no signs of failing. The one in my GS was 6yrs old when I bought the bike and it was still doing the job. Which manufacturer says replace after this period of time, its gotta be a cheap sh** one? The last quality bike battery I bought, a Varta, came with a 3yr guarantee.

Mak?
You may think you are right and might be able to BS and convince some of the more naive and inexperienced members of this forum that some of your ideas and theories are correct, but just remember that there are plenty of knowledgable and very experienced Engineers and motorcycle enthusiasts/owners in here  

[mach1]

And when it comes to riding. i would like to go out for a 20-40 min ride, but it stalls on me i'd say within 2 mins after leaving the house.

What does it idle at after a 20-40 minute ride?

haha the bike wont last 20min 

sledge makes a good point why spend 20 dollars every year when you can spend 60-80 every 5 years  i thing mak talks alot of     

[z315]

yea. the bike dosen't last more than 2 mins. so i can't really tell you what the idel was...so i guess i should buy a battery at the dealership.

[makenzie71]

no matter how any of our opinions differ on what kind of battery to get and how often to get one, we can all agree that the last place you want to buy one from is the dealer.

[mach1]

true that id say go to pepboys some have mc batterys and they have a good warrenty i had a guy coem in with his car and his new battery was bad so we replaced it at no charge a month later back again got a nw one no charge third time i asked him what he was doing and he told me his wifes car has a bad batt so he has to jump it everyonce in awhile and i asked him how he does it so he showed me  he would start off everytime with tthe wires reversed not sure why but he did so when i showed him how to do it the correct way he said he saw a AAA driver do that to his car what a retard. so he fryd soem electrical which burned up the alternater i put the batt in the car left ran off the batt for awhile then died pissed me off i had to replace the alt batt and a few fusses. way off topic so ill go back on  if your local pepboys or autozone has on get it and get the warrent sometime they will have a liftime warrent just srew it up when its about to go and have it replaced.

[Jarrett]

I cleaned out my garage today and found my ES12BS warranty.  It cost $67 after tax and fees.