I found out what happens when you're stuck in traffic too long... thanks obama

[tzzzel]

Hey everyone. Just thought I'd share this info with you.

I ride a GS500f 2004. As you know, it's air-cooled. No need for coolant and a fan, but you have to mind your bike when you're caught in traffic. I live in Hawaii, and it was in the 80s today. Also, the president came into town, so there was some horrific traffic (tip: watch the local traffic report when heading out!). Traffic + GS500 =

Anyway, a routine trip to downtown, which is 2 miles or 10 minutes away, turned into a half hour crawl almost as soon as I got out to the main roads. At one point, I was stuck in the same area for about 6 minutes. I don't know why I didn't just ride shoulder. Anyway, my bike turned off while idling. I tried starting it again -- the engine sounded like it does when my battery is low. "shaZam!!" I thought. Not only do I have a meeting, but now I'll have to deal with a dead battery! Luckily, there was a parking lot nearby and I just pushed it there and walked to my destination. On my return, I pressed the electric start and it roared right up. No need for a bump start or worse, charging the battery. And checking the voltage back home, it read 12.33v.

So, lesson learned is that if you idle too long, your bike overheats, and it stalls. Nothing really to do except to let it cool down. Or try turning it off and waddling if you're in bumper to bumper traffic.

[user11235813]

checking the voltage back home, it read 12.33v

That doesn't sound right, if you checked it as soon as you got home. If you leave the bike overnight and check the voltage you should be more like 12.6, if you check it as soon as you stop it will be higher than that then it will settle down over night.

[Janx101]

Mmmyeah. .something going on there apart from idling in traffic! .. dying battery maybe... loose cable/battery connections (check + & - ) ... fuel issues maybe...

80's isn't that hot!

[tzzzel]

I've always found that my battery is at ~12.3 v when naturally charged.

[kapiteinkoek]

I wonder if the pistons got stuck in the cylinders and what your cylinder walls look like now?

[The Buddha]

The bike usually does not charge the battery @ idle. I don't think it seized. If it did, it will likely cause a lot of oil use and blow by, so watch for that.
Cool.
Buddha.

[tzzzel]

my thinking was that the bike overheated and stalled. if you think i need to check out something, please let me know.

[Knuttzz]

Buddha is right, most bikes don't produce enough at idle to charge the battery. Could have been that.

[user11235813]

I never thought about the charge rate during idle, I wonder if a modulator as I have fitted would cut down on the current draw. Or would it even increase current draw?

[tzzzel]

i'm almost certain my bike doesn't charge at idle. idle is maybe ~2k rpm. charging RPM is more like 4k+.

again, i left it to sit for 2 hours and was able to start it up afterwards on the first go.

so, i'm really sure that it was a matter of an overheated engine. i could be wrong, because i never actually have overheated my engine before in the 3 years i've owned this bike. but i've never been caught like this before.

[SirHansford]

I've always found that my battery is at ~12.3 v when naturally charged.

I'm pretty much a noob here so please forgive me if this information is irrelevant  but since i've been investigating a lot of things concerning motorcycles and as a new owner, GS500s specifically,  Isn't 12.3 v actually kind of low?  According to most charts i've examined,  12.3 is usually around 50ish % charge.  Please feel free to correct me if i'm mistaken.  Might be time to check the levels and put some distilled in it if needed and trickle it over night perhaps?

When a battery stays below 80%, stratification and sulfation can occur.  Well, you don't have to worry about that quite so much with AGM batteries but if your battery was already weak,  and then you were idling in traffic for 30+ minutes and idling is insufficient to keep a battery charging,   I think Janx could be right.  but my "thinking" is on very shaky ground so .... take from it what you will! lol.  Good luck man! Hope your issue sorts out

[sledge]

Was it a good quality, calibrated meter that was used, or was the meter proven on a known voltage before taking the reading?

Unless you can answer yes to either question you can't be certain what the exact figure was 

[W201028]

The problem is likely a heat soak issue. Ive had this many times with my triple. Resistance is heat and heat is resistance. Put a new battery in and you will have no more problems. I would recommend a lithium battery.

[Tekime]

I've ridden my GS pretty hot and hard in 90-100 degree days without any stalling issues.

The GS doesn't charge at idle (or at least, not much?) - at night, watch the headlight as you rev up and it gets noticeably brighter at 4k RPM.

I think maybe your battery is just on its way out. Give it a good slow charge and keep an eye on it.