Bike completely dead *UPDATE*

[hokierower]

The last couple of times i've turned my bike off after riding to work the headlights and taillights have stayed on even after putthing the bike in the "parked" position and turning the ignition all the way off.

I woke up this morning to ride to work and when I turned the bike on, I got nothing.  No indicators, no lights, not a twitch.  Tried to jump the bike from my car but the jumper cables were too large and wouldn't fit so I ended up having to drive the car today.  

I'm thinking that there's either two problems, (a) the fuse is blown, or (b) the battery is completely dead.

With that in mind...
(a) Why are lights staying on?
(b/c) Where can I find a battery and/or fuse?  Any chance of picking one up at Autozone or any other auto store?

Thanks.

So got a charger and the battery is charging now...but when I went to check the fuse, I lost my grip and dropped it and it's stuck somewhere in the bike.  Tried moving the bike every which way but can't find it.  What size is the fuse that's located off the positive terminal on the right side of the bike, about 1.5-2 feet above the brake pedal?

[T1z3R]

A) your ignition lock may be damaged and not turning the switch off completley.
B) phone around. its a YB12-(something) battery. you can get the fuse in pretty much any auto store althoogh i imagine your fuse will be fine.

didnt you even try to bump start it before you took the car?

[elader]

so you aren't putting it in 'accessory' position, right? They headlight is on?

[hokierower]

I hadn't even thought of the accessory position.  I turn the key all the way to the right when I turn it off.  Wrong?

No, I didn't try to bump start it.  Seeing as how none of the indicators were on, I didn't even think there'd be any juice for it to work.

Any luck of finding the battery at an advanced or autozone?

[Jeff P]

Any luck of finding the battery at an advanced or autozone?

My last battery was an Energizer brand from Pep Boys.

More recently ordered a maintenance-free AGM batter from here: http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/sYT10L-A2.html.

I don't recall what the Energizer cost, but this battery for $54 seems to be an excellent option.

jeff

[Twism86]

Uh when you mean park do you mean the one click past lock? If so your rear light is supposed to stay on and it will kill the battery.  If you go past LOCK there will be a little P there. Dont leave it on that.

[Worm]

Uh when you mean park do you mean the one click past lock? If so your rear light is supposed to stay on and it will kill the battery.  If you go past LOCK there will be a little P there. Dont leave it on that.

I've done that twice on accident. Get off the bike quick and just turn the key to lock....atleast I thought I had turned it to lock. I had actually turned it to the "P" park position which leaves the tail light and running light in the head lamp on. (I guess it's meant for if you break down at night on the side of the road like the hazard lights in a car) It will definitely drain the battery. If I were you, I would go get a battery tender/charger and charge it before replacing it. Especially if it's a fairly new battery, it's probably fine, just drained completely. And Advance Auto Parts carries the battery for this bike. It's with the powersports stuff, not with the car batteries.

[jrains89]

I hadn't even thought of the accessory position.  I turn the key all the way to the right when I turn it off.  Wrong?

you should be turning it to the left........   

[hokierower]

*UPDATE*

So got a charger and the battery is charging now...but when I went to check the fuse, I lost my grip and dropped it and it's stuck somewhere in the bike.  Tried moving the bike every which way but can't find it.  What size is the fuse that's located off the positive terminal on the right side of the bike, about 1.5-2 feet above the brake pedal? Is it a 20?

[hokierower]

Bought a new battery and a trickle charger in an effort to resurrect the old one.  So much for that new tank bag I wanted to get. The End.

[A Non eMouse]

When you park your bike, look back at the taillight to make sure it didn't stay on.

The GS has a "feature" where you can leave the taillight on without the key in the ignition.

...  you know, for "safety."

[T1z3R]

yes main, and only fuse, is 20A.

[bombjack]

I've had that exact problem this spring. Now and then the parking light was on even though I've double checked that the ignition was in the off position. This drained my battery every now and then.
It turned out that there was a bad connection to the fusebox/starter relay module. When I touched the wires the light would flicker. I cleaned the connection and everything has been fine ever since.