So today I get ready to go to work, and my GS500 wont start.  I pull in the clutch, and hit the starter, and nothing, no sounds at all.  I check the battery by sparking it, and it seems good and hot.

thing i did notice.  when i turn the bike into the on position, the headlight doesnt come on, and when i lock the wheel into P, the parking light doesnt come on, but the oil light does.

any help would be greatly appreciated...  its a 2001 GS500 btw

GS500

i would check your fuses were ever they are (still new to GS's)

no noises at all when you try to start?  not even a 'clicking' noise?

If thast the case, its prob the battery and it might need to be charged... I charged mine with a trickle charger for about 2 hrs before it worked.

When I first bought my bike (used) it had VERY little charge... the headlight didn't even come on... when I tried to start it... there was a few brief 'clicks' for the first few times I tried ot start it... then after that nothing.  I'd suggest charging the battery before you do anything else.

try to jump start it. If it works you'll know its battery issue - it will probably need good charging.
If you jump start from car be careful, SOME people say you need to do that with car engine turned off... 

Best bet would be to use Jump Starter. I got something like that: http://www.batteriesareus.com/images/71910.bmp

good luck

The GS only has one fuse. It is on the right side underneath the fairing (back one that is). but be careful: The one that sticks in the rubber is a spare! The actual one is underneath it.

But as the oil lamp works, that's prob not the cause.

Have you checked the kill switch? Not taking the mick here, happend to the best of us (I fell already twice for it).
Have you checked that both the + and - wires are fitted securely to the battery?
Is there enough acid in the battery?

Check your battery with a volt meter.

Okay, if you've done those things, we can take it from there.

Oh, and do try the jump starting option, but if the battery is really dead and has a short circuit, than that won't get the bike started either.

Does the neutral light come on? If the bike senses that it's in gear and that the kickstand is down, it would behave like this. 

maybe the little copper peace  is worn down.......in the cluch perch... just my 2c

Quote from: Eric_in_OR on August 11, 2008, 12:38:33 PM
Does the neutral light come on? If the bike senses that it's in gear and that the kickstand is down, it would behave like this. 

+1

Nah, my neutral light burned out, and i've yet to order replacement bulbs (gonna do that when i get my new mirrors ordered)

But, the problem is fixed.  One of the wires behind the battery had alot of corrosion on the plug.  I sprayed it down with carb cleaner than cleaned it with my knife and it fixed the problem)

Thanks for all the help guys.

Gonna head down the road and check on a $700 CBR600F3 now lol.  But Im definitly keeping the GS500, Its got the best gas mileage and range of any bike I own.