Battery Dead - Simple solution or larger problem?

[skeeter2138]

I hadn't been riding for a few weeks (two, maybe three) and had some errands to run last week so I thought I would take the bike.  I got all my gear on and the engine turned over once and then I just had Clicks.  Dead battery I assumed.  I hooked up my trickle charger and let it sit for 6 hours.  That evening I took the wife to dinner on the bike and let it sit for an hour in the parking lot.  It started just fine, rode home with no problems and let it sit two days for in the garage.  I went to take the bike for a ride Wednesday and just clicks, so I assumed I hadn't gotten a full charge (my charger's manual says to let it charge for 12 hours for a full charge).  Thursday I put the battery back in the bike and all I get is clicks again.  The battery is three years old and I have never had any issues in the past.  I assume it is time for a new battery, but is there anything else that could be causing this problem?  I would hate to waste money on a new battery when the one I have is just fine.

Thanks for your help,

Kevin

[Bluehaze]

check to make sure that you got good connection.  i started having dead battery issue. only come to find out. my battery connection were not very good thus it wasnt getting charged correctly. the screw was loose.  they tightened the connection and no issue ever since.

[dohabee]

if your battery is refillable check the electrolyte levels and top it off if need be.

[rockyrunner99]

It takes a long ride to charge the battery from the engine.  I too was having problems with my battery.  It would barely start, then one time I had to push start it.  I came home and put the charger on it, at it has been fine.  The problem was, I was making short in town trips, not reving very high as if on a hwy.  From my own limited experience, it takes an hour ride, with some sustained highway driving to fully charge the battery.

[JAY W]

HI,had the same prob` with my GS although my battery was only months old.I found with the ignition off,there was power to the fuse,i disconnected reg/rectifier and swapped for another i fortunatly had in my toolbox and it solved the power drain.

[erbilabuc]

I had the same problem not even 2 years after getting my 06. I did everything from recharge to refill. Ended up getting a new battery on ebay for 20$ shipped and solved my problems.

[sledge]

Take it to a shop and get it load-tested.

[jeremy_nash]

advance auto can test your battery, and will also test your charging system for you

[5thAve]

Make sure connections are good to battery -- clean up any corrosion.

Make sure battery is properly filled.

Old battery? Sulfated plates in the battery can cause internal power drain. Nothing to do but replace with newer battery. Bike batteries don't last but a few years.
Also, check with a hygrometer ($10 at a hardware or auto store).

Doubtful that a bike ingood condition suddenly develops a short circuit.  Unless you have mice chweing on the wires, like I do.

[skeeter2138]

Finally picked up a new battery this weekend.  Charged it and now the bike starts like a champ.  Thanks for the help everyone.