gs500 won't start. Click/thud sound when ignition switch is pressed [video]

[Toner]

The bike has not been sitting idle. I use it every day.
Today when I turned the key and pressed the ignition I could hear one click or thud type sound and then the bike shuts off completely - no power.
Here is a video: 

If I leave it for a little while, I can then turn the bike back on with the key but the same thing happens again.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to pin point exactly where the noise is coming from.

What do you think, could it be the fuse, battery or starter motor or something else?

[Suzuki Stevo]

I didn't look at the video (work, no sound), MC battery's are not as robust as automotive battery's, they will die with little or no warning, your bike either stopped charging the battery or the battery just died, I put my money on the later 

[Toner]

Thanks but can I get a second opinion from someone who watched the video with sound before I press the buy button on a new battery.

[fetor56]

Don't buy anything just yet....charge your battery and retry.

[Toner]

Might have been a bad connection. I got the multimeter out to test the voltage. Got a reading of 17.7v.
Noticed one of the connections was a loose. It's a hack job because I'm missing the proper part the screw screws into.

When I tightened that up, the bike started so I guess I'll see.

Found one charger I own but it has a 12v and and 6 volte option and goes as low as 3 amps. I had a dedicated motorcycle one but couldn't find it.
Would 6V at 3 amps be ok if I have to do it? 

[fetor56]

No way i would use  the 6v charger option on a 12v system......u say have a 12v option,so what's the problem.

[lucas]

Yeah 6v will only charge up a battery to 6v and not higher.  That would be useless for your purpose.  You want to set it to 12v.

That was probably just a typo but you should not have 17.7v on your battery.  Maybe 12.7 or 11.7

[Toner]

17.7 it said. Maybe I took a bad reading. Have to check that.

[J_Walker]

But why would it just shut off??.. clearly its arching SOMEWHERE. starter relay maybe? Only thing I know with the GS that causes it to loose ALL power without warning, even while riding.  is that stupid 20amp fuse.. and that's connected to the starter relay. hence my guess is it was stopping at the relay.

but yeah, most likely dead battery. I have a dedicated charger for mine. so when Its in the garage I just plug the charger into the wall and connect it to the bike. no lifting the seat nor nothin'