No worries!!

You're not alone.

My very own GS500 starter and battery just hasnt had the juice to get 'er  stiff twin a-turning on cold Canadian morns these days.  I have a solution! It really is a miracle worker.

Its called "The Push Start"

YOU'RE CRAZY!  I hear you saying ( yes, yes I am )

Just put her in first, pull in the clutch, get her rolling with a push (or better, angle her down a hill).

Then, when shes moving

let the clutch out a little, hear that gearbox spin up- KEEP PUSHING- you're almost there!! Hit the starter just as the engine begins to turns over and quickly pull in the clutch! PRESTO.

Warm her up and off you go.

You are officially a die hard motorcylist

Easy,
Fin

I've never had to pop start my GS because of the cold or the battery, but I've had to pop start it due to fuel issues. I also had it pop start it when my clutch lever connection vibrated loose and the bike wouldn't start and it took me a while to realize why.  

I HAVE had to pop start my old truck on COLD mornings..once it was 20 below zero and it killed my battery, so I had to get the neighbor with his tractor to push the 4000+ lbs truck through the snowy driveway so I could get it started. Heh.

I hate winter.  

This is why I store mine in a heated garage.  

You might try a dipstick heater.  Just make sure to immerse it completely in the oil, only run it when you have to, and keep an eye on it.  Those things can get really hot if not used correctly.  They'll cause a fire when you least expect it.

The best thing to do would be an oil pan heater, but the GS pan is finned.   :x

I know it as the "bump start" but I've never had to do it on my gs. (I live in the east end of toronto so I've been going through the same cold as you) mine starts without a problem everymorning. and really we've been lucky with the temperature, we're still getting double digit days in november!!! if this weather keeps up we'll be able to ride into mid december!!!!

I have had to bump start on my old 1975 cb400f when the battery was gettting to the end of its life. its actually easyer if you put it up into second gear, rather than 1st. ( my uncle suggested this to me and I found it was true. it spinns the motor faster making it start easyer) I've also never used the start button. I just put it in 2nd, pulled in the clutch, push like a mother, and then pop the clutch and pull it back in really quick. worked for me on my little inline 400

I'm way east of you guys and I haven't had to bump start it yet. One morning last week though, getting up early for school it was about 5* and with full choke and a bit of throttle I could get it started after a few trys. I don't even know if it'd work with sub-zero temps.

Damn I am going to stop btitching about it being 36 degrees this morning.

brrr... it's cold right now in california. 46F!

wait a minute, who's planning on moving to toronto?  

Man, and here I was bitching about the cold 60 degree nights here...

I've never had to bump start the GS, but I have had to bump start the old dirt bikes we had, as well as my neighbors. He let it run out of fuel and didn't know wtf happened. It took us a few bump starts to figure out he was a moron.

Just be careful when using bump-start.

I saw this accident once, i smile to myself every time i remember it.
The guy was pushing the bike to start it. He released more clutch than he had to  and the be started moving. Because he was holding handlebars and the bike was accelerating he twisted the throttle even more. and made things even worse He crashed eventualy after being dragged over the street.

So watch it

Cool post finmac ...  :lol:

I'm down the street from you in London.  Haven't had to resort to such measures yet.  Hope you got out for a ride yesterday, it was beautiful.  I was with the kids all day yesterday but got out in the evening.

Maybe it's time for a new battery?!?  IF you buy a new one, get a sealed glass mat gel battery!  Way more cranking power.  They can be had cheaper than the YUASA ones too.

Quote from: GeePThe best thing to do would be an oil pan heater, but the GS pan is finned.   :x

Below about 40F, if I leave mine parked outside overnight, then the engine barely turns-over, and won't start.  Some things I do:

-have an old car battery sitting next to where I park, with jumper cables.

-throw a can of starter fluid in the bike bag if I know I'm going to leave it out on the street, far from help.

-carry some "motorcycle" jumper cables in the bike bag.

-bump start.  Even when the engine won't turn over, there is usually enough power to spark.  This has never not worked for me, and it's faster than popping the seat to jump or spray in some staring fluid; it's just that sometimes I'm feeling lazy.