Hello I am new to the forum and a newer rider.

I purchased a 2004 Suzuki last May (2013) with around 9k miles.
Towards the end of summer, around August I noticed my bike wasn't started so I started hooking it up to a trickle charger and it would last for a few days. At the end of September when it started to get cold I brought the battery in my house to store so the winter cold wouldnt damage the battery.

Yesterday It was nice outside and hooked up my battery to the bike, took a volt meter and since it read 11.7 volts I decided to hook up a battery charger/maintainer that I purchased (Megaboost 4000). This morning The charger told me it was fully charged and so I decided to start it. Well..the bike refused to start after many attempts and a quick recharges with the maintainer. After each attempt I would plug in the maintainer and the it would take about 5 mins to charge back up.

I currently have it hooked up to a trickle charger, in hopes that this might work better than the maintainer.

Can anyone help me with this issue? Do I need a new battery? Or could it be the starter ?
I am sort of new to the motorcycle repairing so any help would be great! 

What are the symptoms when you try to start the bike?  Does the starter motor come on?  What is the fuel status? etc.etc.

The engine turns over but doesnt start, lights come on, fuel is about a half a tank.

Quote from: Bob_signy on February 22, 2014, 04:22:16 PM
The engine turns over but doesnt start, lights come on, fuel is about a half a tank.

Fuel in GS500s is deceptive. Was the tank full? How far have you gone to determine only half full?

Try switching it to reserve - too many people to mention have come on here proclaiming ample fuel based on looking in the tank, only to discover, whoopsy, it was low on fuel and needed to be switched to reserve.

...and it does sound like time for a new battery.

I know its about a half a tank based on the miles I usually get per tank. I also have the petcock placed on Reserve when I start it.

I dont think its the battery at all based on the fact the motor turns and the readings from my voltmeter.

Have you checked the spark plugs and verify that you're getting spark.

Quote from: Bob_signy on February 22, 2014, 09:50:57 PMI dont think its the battery at all based on the fact the motor turns and the readings from my voltmeter.

Just to verify the state of the battery:
Under 12V is a dead battery; fully charged should be around 12.6-12.8 V and charging (bike running) should read 13-15V.  What is the voltage you get after charging from the maintainer?

BTW, it is possible that the battery has enough juice to turn the starter motor, but not enough to provide a strong enough spark to get the bike running.

The voltage on the battery is around 12.8 after the maintainer charges the battery.

have you checked/changed the spark plugs?  are the plugs wet or dry after trying to start the bike?

I replaced the spark plugs last summer. Im not sure if the are wet or dry though after trying to start the bike. What would this information tell you?

Quote from: Bob_signy on February 23, 2014, 03:27:34 PM
I replaced the spark plugs last summer. Im not sure if the are wet or dry though after trying to start the bike. What would this information tell you?

Pull the plugs after a few start attempts.  If they are wet, then you know you're getting fuel and there's an issue with spark or possibly bad gas; if they are dry then you have a fuel delivery problem such as clogged/dirty jets etc.

Okay radodrill, I will give this a try tomorrow and post my results.

So I checked the spark plugs before and after an attempt to start, and the plugs looked dry although I did smell gas on them.

Tried starter fluid? If starts, then fuel delivery problem.
If no start, spark problems.

 has it been off the road all winter?

Carbs could have iced over??

Heres what you need to do.

1. Hook up your meter and attempt to start reading voltage the entire time. (below 11v bad, replace battery. Above 11v next step)

2. Pull the plug and rest it on the head while cranking. (spark yes or no ) If spark proceed

3. Pull air filter and spray a little starter fluid while throttle is fully open. Than crank it. (if you get some thing tike to look at the fuel and or carbs)

Did you put gas stabilizer in the tank before storing it? If not you are going to need to replace the gas, removing the old gas first.

robfriedenberger-
1. Passed voltage
2. Pass spark plug test
3. Will be doing this step soon...and will post results

And I did put stabilizer in tank before storing it.

Crasm- It has been off the road all winter, stored in garage.

Gas evaporates you may want to set it to pri, than crank on it for a little bit in short burst. Never exceed 10-15 seconds on cranking this can damage the battery/wires/starter....with that being said I doubt that it will happen just need a disclaimer. If you do get it started let it run as long as possible after to work some of the older fuel out of the carb.

Okay I purchased some starter fluid and sprayed it, the bike started no more than a second and then died. I was successful starting it again when I sprayed more starter fluid.

Could it be a fuel filter or a gas filter? Any ideas?

OK. So we've identified it as a fuel problem.

1. Is there gas in the tank? (It can look over half full when you're under a gallon and need to be on reserve).
2. If you open a carb drain screw, does gas pour out?
2. Are the fuel lines connected correctly?
3. Is the tank petcock turned on? (Slot should be vertical)
4. Have you put it on PRIME to fill up the carbs?
5. When on PRIME, if you pulled the line off that goes to the carbs, does gas pour out? (Petcock in ON; pull output hose from frame petcock; run a hose to a cup; put in PRIME; gas should pour out; put back to ON to stop fuel flow)

YES - in-line fuel filters can block the flow of fuel unless it is one specifically for gravity fed motorcycles.