How the heck did you get the ES12BS to fit?

[Raydr]

So I went out last night and bought a Walmart ES12BS battery and patiently filled it, let it sit for an hour, then charged it up.

This morning I excitedly go out to stick the battery in - and it will not fit. Not the normal way, not sideways - without deinstalling the battery cage I see absolutely no way to get this battery in.

I came back here and noticed that almost all of the posts recommending the ES12BS are from 4+ years ago, suggesting that the battery compartment probably got smaller.

I'm on a 2004 GS500F. I was hoping to be out riding right now but I guess it'll have to wait.

Any thoughts on fitting (I've been searching the forums for an hour) or a replacement that will fit a 2004 F model?

Thanks...

[The Buddha]

On 89-00 the thing fits in side ways, negative on the bottom and the negative cable routed through the bottom of the battery box.
Cool.
Buddha.

[waiho]

On 89-00 the thing fits in side ways, negative on the bottom and the negative cable routed through the bottom of the battery box.
Cool.
Buddha.

I've got a 04 too and it fits the same way buddha says

[gsJack]

All years GS500,E,F take the same YB10L-B2 battery.  I used a 10L-A2 when using a conventional battery.  Same size just has drain hose on opposite side and more available.  I put a YT10L-A2 AGM battery in the last time for a sealed battery that fits:

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/sYT10L-A2.html