Battery lifespan

[Its Just Me]

Just had a nasty little surprise from my GS.  Leaving work and found my bike was dead.  I can't be positive if I did or didn't leave the parking light on, but one of the mechanics in the building who helped me get it running again seems to think the little batteries don't last too long, perhaps a couple of seasons.  I probably won't know until tomorrow if it'll start again, but typically how long should one expect the battery to last?

Its the original battery on a 2006 GS500F (15000 km)... bought it about May last year.

[manofthefield]

I'd say it should last 3-5 years, possibly less if poorly maintained

[rangerbrown]

i still have my factory one all though i can tell its weaker, remeber only charge it with a 2 amp or lower

[gsJack]

I bought my 02 GS500 slightly used in Sept 03 with about 4k miles on it and put a new battery in it in Jan 06 with 34k miles on the bike.  Now have 48k miles on bike with that same battery still in it.  I ride year round here in NE Ohio and usually grind the starter a lot and have to jump start it a few times every winter.  Got about the same battery life on the 97 GS500 I put 80k miles on.

On my CB750 Honda with battery buried under the seat behind the hot engine, I needed a new battery every year or two.  The GS500 battery is placed where it's in the breeze and runs cool on the naked bike and lasts much longer.  Wouldn't be surprised if battery life was quite a bit shorter on the new plastic coated F models.   

[vantec6040]

Spending about $20-30 on a battery tender will save you lots of money in the long run. I take my batteries out in the winter and put then on the tender once or twice a week. And if its cold, I use the provided hook-ups and just let it charge inside the bike.

[Its Just Me]

I pull the battery out and trickle charge it in the house every so often during the winter and have never had any trouble before, I wouldn't say its an abused battery.

Just to wrap up the start of my post, it started up fine this morining and seems to be right back to normal... I'm pretty sure now I just left the parking light on.

[natedawg120]

got two years on my battery, still original from the dealer when I adopted her.  And if you completly drain the battery, that is really hard on car/motorcycle batteries.  I have know many people who killed a battery by accidentally draining it with light on all night or day or both.....