I've had my bike for about a month (07 GS500F). The battery was working fine it never gave me a problem for about the first 3 weeks. Last week, however, the batter was dead out of no where. I figured that I hadn't started the bike in a few days and it had just went dead so I brought it to the auto store and had them charge it up. Put it in that day and rode around for a few hours, then went home and the bike sat for maybe 3 hours. Went to jump on it again at night and it was dead.  It had enough charge to light up the dash bulbs but not enough to fire up the bike.

I was looking into buying a dry battery and adding the acid myself to save some money and gain some experience but I'm wondering if there is anything else I should diagnose before assuming it's just a bad battery.

What are your thoughts? 

Sounds like a bad battery to me. It will get to a point where they just won't hold a charge. If you have the money, I'd go for a sealed battery. No need to worry about acid or water level or leaking.

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/suzuki/2002/500cc-gs500e-f-/

The sealed one is a bit more expensive, but will last you longer.

Better yet, go for the Shorai at $148, and never worry about your battery again. More than likely, it will outlast the life of the bike. Some say it's overkill, but @ $35/regular battery*4 years = $140, might be worth it if you're planning on keeping the gs around for a while. I got that one, and my bike starts up first time, every time, even after sitting for a good long while (I've heard it will crank with full force after a year of sitting).

Advance Auto, and (probably) other chain auto parts stores will do a FREE battery analysis test for you...   It will determine whether the battery is good or not......if battery tests good, then you would suspect the charging system in the bike.......If battery tests bad, then you need a new battery.  If you do the free battery test at Advance, they will give you a coupon for $5 off any battery you buy from them....BUT they don't offer a battery which  fits the GS500......maybe other chain auto stores have the same deal?

If your '07 has its original battery, I would not be surprised if the battery is bad.....5 years is a long life for a motorcycle battery.......Probably 3 to 4 years is all you can expect......

On a budget, you can get a "stock type" lead acid battery for around $40 or so, you have to add the acid, which comes in an acid  pack, also you will have to do an initial charge.

AGM batteries avoid a lot of the hassles, but cost roughly double that.   Then you could go with the Li type, for double that money!


Cookie

Quote from: Reckoning on January 02, 2013, 03:42:25 PM
I've had my bike for about a month (07 GS500F). The battery was working fine it never gave me a problem for about the first 3 weeks. Last week, however, the batter was dead out of no where. I figured that I hadn't started the bike in a few days and it had just went dead so I brought it to the auto store and had them charge it up. Put it in that day and rode around for a few hours, then went home and the bike sat for maybe 3 hours. Went to jump on it again at night and it was dead.  It had enough charge to light up the dash bulbs but not enough to fire up the bike.

I was looking into buying a dry battery and adding the acid myself to save some money and gain some experience but I'm wondering if there is anything else I should diagnose before assuming it's just a bad battery.

What are your thoughts?

Ok a few things. Are you capabe of pulling the battery yourself?

I will mention in case you dont know, not trying to demean you in anyway. Wear safety glasses while messing with the plugs on the battery. I have never had it happen, but you dont want acid on your face or in your eyes.

With that said. Pull the battery and set it on a level surface. There are marks on the side that show where the fluid level needs to be.. If they are under those marks pull the plugs individually and use distilled water only in each until you reach the level.

Then have the shop charge it or charge yourself and see how it is.

I do agree if its 5 years old its probably reaching the end of its life. I have however had a few batteries come back around after making sure they had enough fluid.

Once you figure out the battery you can research if its a charging problem, but I guess not as you would most likely kill the bike on a longer run, especially if the battery is getting weak now.

Its free to check the fluid level and see where that gets you. In my opinion 4-5 years is a long time, I would probably not commit to the bike longer than that unless you have a lot of bike experience and have decided to stick with the GS500. If not your likely to change your mind or want something different in the next 4-5 years, not saying you wont come back eventually!

Scorpion looks like a good deal...shipping is included at that price too....

But on that website that model battery is out of stock...so I don't know what the wait would be.

Motobatt is more money at $77 (shipping included) and will arrive in 3 days...also has two year guarantee...scorpion has 1 year guarantee...I'm not sure is that really matters though..

Cookie

Quote from: gsatterw on January 02, 2013, 04:09:12 PM
Sounds like a bad battery to me. It will get to a point where they just won't hold a charge. If you have the money, I'd go for a sealed battery. No need to worry about acid or water level or leaking.

http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/motorcycle/suzuki/2002/500cc-gs500e-f-/

The sealed one is a bit more expensive, but will last you longer.

Better yet, go for the Shorai at $148, and never worry about your battery again. More than likely, it will outlast the life of the bike. Some say it's overkill, but @ $35/regular battery*4 years = $140, might be worth it if you're planning on keeping the gs around for a while. I got that one, and my bike starts up first time, every time, even after sitting for a good long while (I've heard it will crank with full force after a year of sitting).

Good point......When my bike got to about 2-1/2 years old, the battery seemed weak.....I had never checked the electrolyte level..duh.........it was really really low!!!!   Topped it up with distilled water, put on charge and it came back good as new........I got spoiled by low maintenance and no maintenance batteries in my cars.......with a conventional lead acid battery you do need to check the electrolyte level a couple times a year!

Cookie

Quote from: Snake2715 on January 02, 2013, 04:17:23 PM
Ok a few things. Are you capabe of pulling the battery yourself?

I will mention in case you dont know, not trying to demean you in anyway. Wear safety glasses while messing with the plugs on the battery. I have never had it happen, but you dont want acid on your face or in your eyes.

With that said. Pull the battery and set it on a level surface. There are marks on the side that show where the fluid level needs to be.. If they are under those marks pull the plugs individually and use distilled water only in each until you reach the level.

Then have the shop charge it or charge yourself and see how it is.

I do agree if its 5 years old its probably reaching the end of its life. I have however had a few batteries come back around after making sure they had enough fluid.

Once you figure out the battery you can research if its a charging problem, but I guess not as you would most likely kill the bike on a longer run, especially if the battery is getting weak now.

Snake's dead right about checking the water levels. Topping up can a battery can sometimes bring it back to a surprising performance level for a while. But, if it's the original battery on the bike, it's probably time for a new one. Gives the bike a new feel - you'll like the way the starter kicks in! Motobatt get good nods here in Oz.

definitely go for the water level check if you're on a budget

and i called about the scorpion battery...won't be in stock for 4-6 weeks

I did check Auto Zone, they said they don't do tests on the smaller batteries but they were the ones that charged it so I will call a few auto part stores and see if anyone will test the battery.  I have checked the fluid levels and they are fine. Batteries Plus wants $90 for a new battery.

I'm not sure if it is the original battery or not, the guy I bought it from said (I thought) it was a newish battery but who knows if that's true.

I will more than likely just be on the lookout for a good price on a battery.

Thanks for all the help so far, much appreciated! 

batteries plus is way overpriced.

I like rockymountainatv.com personally. Also my local Suzuki dealer is extremely competitive.

Quote from: Snake2715 on January 03, 2013, 05:56:52 PM
batteries plus is way overpriced.

I like rockymountainatv.com personally. Also my local Suzuki dealer is extremely competitive.

Is it just the Suzuki auto dealer and they sell parts for their bikes as well or is it an actual Suzuki motorcycle dealer? I can't find one

Its the local Motorsports dealer and they are suzuki and honda, etc..

My very local one is www.us27motorsports.com although I have 2-3 others within reasonable distance.

I would google motorsports or motorcycle dealer and see what shows up locally.

Quote from: Snake2715 on January 03, 2013, 06:51:02 PM
Its the local Motorsports dealer and they are suzuki and honda, etc..

My very local one is www.us27motorsports.com although I have 2-3 others within reasonable distance.

I would google motorsports or motorcycle dealer and see what shows up locally.

Ah gotcha, there is a couple motorsports places around here but I've found they are actually more expensive than if I take some time to do some research. Although I like supporting the local business, can't deny saving major bucks to shop online 

It seems everyone with the battery online ships it dry/or they are out of stock!

Battery plus is probably the most expensive place for batteries!!!!  You can mail order one and get it in a couple of days for 1/2 that price.

If there is an Advance Auto around they should be able to test motorcycle batteries...at least the one near me does have the machine which has a "motorsports" setting...........in fact you program in the exact motorcycle battery!!!

Cookie

Quote from: Reckoning on January 03, 2013, 05:45:54 PM
I did check Auto Zone, they said they don't do tests on the smaller batteries but they were the ones that charged it so I will call a few auto part stores and see if anyone will test the battery.  I have checked the fluid levels and they are fine. Batteries Plus wants $90 for a new battery.

I'm not sure if it is the original battery or not, the guy I bought it from said (I thought) it was a newish battery but who knows if that's true.

I will more than likely just be on the lookout for a good price on a battery.

Thanks for all the help so far, much appreciated! 

Ok, just a quick one....

You didn't leave the key in the Park position did you?

Michael

There are no Advance Auto Parts in Arizona

& I never leave they key in the ignition if I'm not riding

hmmm. in the park position, the key comes out, locks the stem, and leaves the tail light on.

Graham 

Quote from: gsatterw on January 04, 2013, 10:21:51 PM
hmmm. in the park position, the key comes out, locks the stem, and leaves the tail light on.

Graham 

Ah, not the problem. I've done that from time to time but noticed it right away due to the tail light being on.

Quote from: Reckoning on January 04, 2013, 11:01:58 PM

Quote from: gsatterw on January 04, 2013, 10:21:51 PM
hmmm. in the park position, the key comes out, locks the stem, and leaves the tail light on.

Graham 

Ah, not the problem. I've done that from time to time but noticed it right away due to the tail light being on.

Anyone have any idea what the park position is ever for?

Graham

The forerunner of 4 way flashers? You can leave the tail light on and headlight running light on (not on US GS500's until the "F" model headlight). Leaves a light on if you have to park your bike and don't want it to get hit. Euro bikes had the headlight running light. I bought Euro headlights for Junior, Trey and Phenix which have the headlight running light. Wiring is there - it is that brown wire in the headlight bucket that doesn't connect to anything.