Err so I rode my bike to work the other day... and left it on the On position with the lights and all.... key was left in it by accident.  Killed the battery.  Had to get a jump... and since then the battery won't hold a charge... I would need to get a jump everytime I start it.  Now the oly bike shop around me has a battery for $70... I think thats a bit pricey.  Anyone know where I can get one for cheaper?

Walmart battery is about $35.  Not the best but it's OK, many here use them.  For $54 you can get a AGM sealed battery but will take a few days to get it.

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/sYT10L-A2.html

Quote from: gsJack on July 16, 2010, 03:32:32 PM
Walmart battery is about $35.  Not the best but it's OK, many here use them.  For $54 you can get a AGM sealed battery but will take a few days to get it.

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/sYT10L-A2.html

hmmm I'll check Walmart tomorrow then... I didn't know they carried motorcycle batteries.  Also a lot of the batteries I've found are "wet" and I would need to buy acid separately... where would I get this acid if I need it?

If you buy a battery at Walmart or other local store the acid will come with it in a seperate container in the same box the battery comes in.  Just fill the battery, charge it up, and install.  Actually the charge is reccommended but I've sometimes just filled them and put them in the bike and finished the charge on the bike.  If you get a mail order wet battery it will come without acid but you can buy acid at most any auto parts store.

I use the very common 10L-A2 battery instead of the 10L-B2 that comes in the GS500 and is harder to find and sometimes more expensive.  They are identical except the vent hose is on the opposite side on the A2, just run the hose over to it.

SO I just bought a new battery... it still has problems starting up so I dont think its the battery in the first place.  I put the new battery in, jumped it to start the bike, and rode it for about 15 mins... then turned it off, and then it won't turn back on again... that time frame should charge it enough to even start it once right??? Maybe its my alternator?  This problem started happeneing when I forgot to take the key out, and left my headlight on.... help pls.

Quote from: nhanxsolo on July 17, 2010, 02:52:52 PM
SO I just bought a new battery... it still has problems starting up so I dont think its the battery in the first place.  I put the new battery in, jumped it to start the bike, and rode it for about 15 mins... then turned it off, and then it won't turn back on again... that time frame should charge it enough to even start it once right??? Maybe its my alternator?  This problem started happeneing when I forgot to take the key out, and left my headlight on.... help pls.

15 minutes?  At 5000+ RPM?  Maybe enough to start it once.  Just cruising around town, probably not.

Quote from: Paulcet on July 17, 2010, 03:18:24 PM

Quote from: nhanxsolo on July 17, 2010, 02:52:52 PM
SO I just bought a new battery... it still has problems starting up so I dont think its the battery in the first place.  I put the new battery in, jumped it to start the bike, and rode it for about 15 mins... then turned it off, and then it won't turn back on again... that time frame should charge it enough to even start it once right??? Maybe its my alternator?  This problem started happeneing when I forgot to take the key out, and left my headlight on.... help pls.

15 minutes?  At 5000+ RPM?  Maybe enough to start it once.  Just cruising around town, probably not.

dude it really takes that long to charge??? damn... okay guess I will have to ride it around for longer then.

EDIT: nevrmind I just went to PepBoys and bought a battery charger for motorcycles.... I have it on 12v.  Should take about 2 hours to fully charge correct?

Should 3 hours be enough of a charge with a 1amp bike charger??  I put it the battery on my bike to ride back to my apartment from my parent's house and the headlight/indicator lights have never been this bright!  Not sure if its fully charged or not... but I need it to be fully charged because I'm going to start commuting to my new job on my bike Monday... so any help is appreciated.

New battery + 1 amp charger, I would charge it at least overnight, 18 to 24 hrs. Always worked for me.

But I am not an expert. I have heard anywhere from 6 to 24 hrs.

Good luck.

Jim

yo check yo ground. and yo pos i tive cables. if they're corroded under the insulation, a new battery won't help much (for long).

yo.

The battery is 11 amp-hours capacity, so a one amp charger would take at least 11 hours to fill one up from empty. Some of that current is lost as heat while the battery charges, so just leave it overnight. Most chargers will tell you when the battery is done.

By the way - first post of mine. Been lurking a while, Hi guys!