Just got a new battery about 2 weeks ago, been doing fine.

Rode the bike for 3-4 hours as patrol in a triathlon yesterday, basically first gear between 2500-3500 rpms...was pretty painful lol. Anyway, made stops along the way, always fired back up just fine.

Today I go out, turn the key to on...nothing...no lights, horn, any indicator of any kind. So I figure maybe (though I'm pretty good about checking) I left it in that weird lock position where it runs the brake light. Not a big deal, grab my jumpers, hitch them up and it fires up just fine. I let it get all warmed up, hop on and go for a spin around the block. Figure I should check before I go anywhere so I park it, hit the engine switch, everything goes off. No lights, no horn, no nothing (key still in on) this sucker is dead lol. Pull the sides off, check the only fuse I know of, was fine.

Any clues as to why this is? It was probably going for a good 15 minutes before I shut it off. I mean it wasn't like it had some and it drained, when I hit the switch the system was empty.

Checked all the cables and did the same routine one more time with the car. As soon as it cable touches I can fire it right up (don't even bother clamping, just touch the tip with the claw and start it). And it seems to be able to keep itself up just fine.

Not sure how the system works and all, but does anyone have any ideas what I should be checking?

Since it's not dying without an external source of power, does that mean the charging system is good and the battery is just toast?

Thanks,
Wright

Check the rectifier/regulator and AC generator... also what voltage is your battery at right now?
I follow the manual on all the checks.. took about 5 minutes...

Take the battery to a shop and get a (free) load test done on it first. If the battery is sound then start looking at the charging system.

Quote from: sledge on August 01, 2011, 10:49:52 PM
Take the battery to a shop and get a (free) load test done on it first. If the battery is sound then start looking at the charging system.

inner plate inside the battery broke.  Battery can't hold a charge so it needs juice to crank the starter each time. 


Hopefully its that simple, nice easy fix.  good luck

The GS charging system doesn't put out much current until 3000 to 3500 rpm.I'd grab a manual and a multi meter and check the charging system using that.There are a few posts on here about how to check the system.

75 volts AC across the generator any 2 of the 3 points @ 5000 rpm
Continuity should exist across all 3 points on the generator and no continuity should exist from any point on the generator to the ground.

As for rectifier, i don't have the values in front of me right now.

Well I'll take the battery down to have it checked. I was curious because like with a car, if the alternator goes, the car can't run. Lost my alternator on the stealth and even at 4000rpms it was struggled until it died. Because the GS was able to idle...ride...and functions perfect otherwise I'm maybe leaning more towards battery.

Also, never really paid attention before, does the brake light normally flicker in rhythm to the exhaust? And if you rev it, it dims until the RPMs drop back down?

-Wright

Battery&Alternator sound FUBAR..

Check the alternator (stator) outputs,  no point in putting a new battery in if its just gunna be drained and killed quickly.. That is, IF the alternator is charging..

Well I took the battery down and had it tested. They charged it, and it went from 2v to 11.2v but still had 0 cranking amps so he said it was toasted. Thankfully it's only been 2 weeks so the no questions new battery deal was still on. He said he's never seen one drop off that fast, do you guys think it was a total fluke, or is there some way the bike is actually "killing" (not just draining) the battery?

-Wright

PS - Popped the new battery in, seems to be working just fine...we'll see though lol