Time for a new battery...

[serbianstunna]

So I left my battery in my bike in a non-heated garage all winter...i have a charger that has a 2 amp/ 12 volt and i think a 6 or 10 amp/12volt setting.  I left the higher setting on the bike for a little, and started it right up.  I rode, then left it not charging overnight, and low battery.  I left the 2 amp/12volt charge on it overnight, low battery STILL, so I did the higher amp setting and rode, and stopped for an hour, it started reluctanltly up when I left.  I'm thinking my battery is shot, or the 2 amp/12 volt setting is wrong for the battery, which I assumed that this was the "trickle" charge type of setting.  In any case I'm pretty sure i need a new battery, and am wondering the best place to get one.  Thanks in advance!(I searched the message boards already, and found similar problems but nothing exactly like mine, so I just want to make sure)

[gsJack]

I've left batteries in unheated garages all winter without damage, they usually don't freeze unless completely discharged.  I ride all winter when possible and it's hard to get started when bike sits a while.

I usually just jump start and ride and after riding a bit the bike starts easily for the rest of the day and a few days after till it sits a while again.  Could be your battery needs replaced, should be OK after charging unless something is wrong with the battery or charger.

I buy batteries at the Walmart or a Auto parts store that carries them.  The GS500 takes a YB10L-B2 battery which has the drain tube down the right side and is sometimes expensive and hard to find locally.  I just get the more common and available YB10L-A2 instead which is identical except drain tube is down left side.  Usually about $30.