I have tried to research my problem on your website but to no avail. Three days ago the bike was running normally. The next day, it was completely dead. no lights no ignition no jump start no bump start...NOTHING! The battery is fine. voltage measures 12.46 V across it. the wiring seems to be fine. the fuse is fine. what is going on? NONE of the indicator lights come on when the key is in the ignition. Only ONCE did they come on and then they FADED and died out. what does that indicate? It has got to be some form of electrical issue. but WHERE? any ideas?

It sounds like your battery is dead, especially if the lights come on but fade out.

Voltage across the cells is not an indication of the state of charge of a lead acid battery.  A more accurate measure is to measure the voltage under load, or measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte with a battery tester available at auto parts stores for a buck.

While you're in there, remove the battery and check the electrolyte level.  It should be between the "low" and "full" lines on the case. If one or more cells is below the "low" mark, it could partially explain your problem.  Fill the low cels with distiled water, then charge with an automatic charger.

If your battery is old, it might be time to replace it.  Wal Mart sells the correct battery, but the vent is on the opposite side.  All you have to do is re-route the vent hose.  The battery number is ES10L-A2 as I recall.

Hopefully you just left the ignition switch in the "P" position overnight without realizing it.  (Keeps the tail light lit until the battery goes dead.  )

If the battery is NOT too old, hook it to a charger ... or jump start the bike from a car or another bike and go for a good long ride to start recharging the battery.  (Just don't turn the bike off until you get back home.  )

Oh, and if you jump the bike from a car battery, DON'T start and run the car!
Just connect the cables to the car battery and start the motorcycle with the car OFF.
The car's higher electrical output won't be friendly to your GS500's electrical system if you start the car.
Good luck!

yep, deader than a doornail battery. and it wouldn't start with the car off. we had to start the car to start the bike. the cell was cracked and dead in the battery .the electrolyte levels were low and cells were dry. crap. got a nice new battery. since I am going to china AGAIN, what should  do with this new battery? have my friend trickle charge it once a week or FULL charge it once a month? which is better?

Quote from: Kaizer on November 11, 2007, 10:05:46 PM
and it wouldn't start with the car off. we had to start the car to start the bike.

It depends on the car, I tried to jump start my Grand Vitara with a civic revving its engine and the alternator couldnt give enough juice- started right up with a jeep though.

This has happened to me twice.
1st time it was the battery.
2nd time it was the wires by the clutch lever.

Quote from: Kaizer on November 11, 2007, 10:05:46 PM
since I am going to china AGAIN, what should  do with this new battery? have my friend trickle charge it once a week or FULL charge it once a month? which is better?

Buy a Battery Tender (it's what they call a float charger).  Better than either option.

How LONg do I leave it on the battery tender. All 4 months? I heard that is not good at all for the battery. Any other suggestions?

Long-term storage is what the Battery Tender is designed for.  It doesn't apply charging voltage all the time (unlike a trickle charger).  Leave it hooked up.

So it is okay to leave it hooked up for 3 plus months to the battery tender. does it use up a lot of electricity? How exactly does it work? Does it know when the battery is losing charge and just adds a bit to it? What is wrong with just charging the battery once a week or once a month on a regular trickle charger?

Quote from: Kaizer on November 13, 2007, 03:06:41 PMSo it is okay to leave it hooked up for 3 plus months to the battery tender.

Yes.

Quote from: Kaizer on November 13, 2007, 03:06:41 PMdoes it use up a lot of electricity?

I doubt it ... but I don't have any empirical data or anything.

Quote from: Kaizer on November 13, 2007, 03:06:41 PMHow exactly does it work? Does it know when the battery is losing charge and just adds a bit to it?

The manufacturer doesn't tend to give out a lot of info on EXACTLY how it works, but I imagine it's something like your description.

Quote from: Kaizer on November 13, 2007, 03:06:41 PMWhat is wrong with just charging the battery once a week or once a month on a regular trickle charger?

Nothing at all.  If that's what you have, use it.  The risk is that the person left in charge will totally forget to take care of either option.  But even that's no big deal.  A new battery like yours should "come back" just fine even if you let it discharge the whole time you're gone.  So ... get your friend to charge it ocasionally if you can, but don't sweat it too much if you can't.

Quote from: Kaizer on November 13, 2007, 03:06:41 PM
What is wrong with just charging the battery once a week or once a month on a regular trickle charger?

As Kerry pointed out, this is great IF it happens.  But what if it doesn't OR what if they turn it on and forget to turn it off?  Ruined battery.  A float charger (like Battery Tender) eliminates the problem.

FWIW, I have had questionable results (didn't work like it was supposed to) with a brand X float charger from Harbor Freight Tools.  Spend the extra scratch on a Battery Tender Jr. -- it seems to be worth it.

Quote from: trumpetguy on November 13, 2007, 04:54:09 PM

Quote from: Kaizer on November 13, 2007, 03:06:41 PM
What is wrong with just charging the battery once a week or once a month on a regular trickle charger?

As Kerry pointed out, this is great IF it happens.  But what if it doesn't OR what if they turn it on and forget to turn it off?  Ruined battery.  A float charger (like Battery Tender) eliminates the problem.

FWIW, I have had questionable results (didn't work like it was supposed to) with a brand X float charger from Harbor Freight Tools.  Spend the extra scratch on a Battery Tender Jr. -- it seems to be worth it.

agreed. WHATEVER kerry says, take it as gospel. the man knows  a battery tender is teh pwn

you can always just disconect the batt, and then bump start her when you get back...

that is what I did last time. just left it disconnected and then had them charge it overnight. welll hell...they ruined it. so my friend decided to just keep it on a trickle charger once  a week. that willl work too. otherwise, not sure if I can invest in a battery tender at the moment. low on cash. gotta save up for china. gonna be some chinese sugar momma! hahaha