Hello. I have to replace my 2nd battery (bike constantly does not want to start and I'm tired of asking for jumps). This would be my 1st "sealed" battery I am replacing, I think I got over 18 months out of it. I would like recommendations on the best battery for my 2008 Suzuki GS500F based in Los Angeles, CA. I would prefer a sealed battery for numerous reasons. What do people think of the Scorpion line of batteries? I usually buy on my motorcycle stuff on Motorcycle Superstore. Any recommends would be greatly appreciated.

People here have said positive things about lithium ion batteries.  More expensive but much lighter and they are supposed to last much longer.  Lithium batteries are also not susceptible to damage the same as lead-acid if they are discharged.


Question, have you tested your motorcycle's charging system?  While the bike is running you should be able to measure 13+ volts across the battery terminals.

18 months from a sealed unit? Have you tried trickle charging it when not riding for a couple of days?

Hello. While my mechanic Bikesmith Scott (he's on Yelp in LA) said the battery is outputting 17 +. he says I should buy a new battery than he can test if battery charging system is bad or not. What's our thoughts on this?

18 mths from a new battery doesn't sound good.Was it cheap,or is there something else wrong in the electrical system?
At this stage i can't see a new battery is warranted.If u can why not get it first tested under load.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PROJECTA-6-12V-BATTERY-LOAD-TESTER-100-AMPS-NEW-/301875598908?hash=item464930163c:m:mXfIJqNF8R042VSnmAvBQzg

If your battery is putting out 17 volts, get rid of it immediately because it's ready to blow up.

I don't know if something got misinterpreted, but there's no reason a 12v battery should ever put out that much power. Unless your regulator isn't doing its job and is way over charging your battery  (and cooking it). But if your R/R did fail and it is sending all that voltage to the rest of the system, you headlight bulb would be burning up every time you ride.

Do a Google search for the stator papers from the GSResources - they were written for the older GS bikes, but all the tests would still apply to the GS500.

17?  . Test again with fresh battery in multimeter and consistent contact on probes! ??

These seem to do quite well in the crappy climate we have over here in the UK.
http://www.motobatt.com/
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/product-reviews/parts-accessories/2015/august/product-review-motobatt-sealed-high-torque-battery/

I've managed 4+ yrs out of a walmart battery in the 90's. Cheap as you can get. The key is - I had 1 battery between 2 GS'es back then. The constant use of battery kept it alive. Finally in a crash in 2000 it spilled all its nasty metallic sulphuric acid innards - and it was adios.
Anyway constant use, and the ocassional check and distilled water does wonders. Brand is almost secondary. The gel types put in sideways is good too. As is the AGM ones put in sideways.

Cool.
Buddha.

I'm going to be putting the newer Battery Tender battery in my 2004. Summers in Texas are rough on water/acid batteries. Even when using a Battery Tender. I had the same problem in my KLR650 and DL1000. I put the gel type batteries in those two bikes and my woes were gone. So far, I haven't located a good gel type battery for the 500. So, I figure I'll give the Battery Tender battery a try, since they claim it can handle 2000 deep cycles.

Hey bro I'm out in the inland empire about 50 miles from you and I got a bike master gel type battery in my 05 gs500. It's worth a try I haven't had any issues with it so far i think it comes with a 2 year warranty but I could be wrong.

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Okay, so I'm hijacking the thread here but I gotta say I'm pretty impressed with the completly standard suzuki-issued battery that came in my 2005 GSF650 Bandit. Ten plus years and 100k miles later and it's still rocking along with no probs. Of course, I have just jinxed it and it will prob' now die in the next day or two.

On the other hand, I had an XJR1300 kill off not one but two decent quality batterys in under four years so it's not all sunshine and buttercups. 

Many vids about motorcycle electrical systems.

https://www.youtube.com/user/RicksElectrics

What are the key specs I need to look for to make sure the battery will fit?  I've seen a few different ones.  I'm told the battery that came with my gs500 is bad.  I took it out and I am going to clean up the battery tray as it had some rust.  Also what gauge wire is the negative wire?  I'm running a new one the one on the bike looks like it is disintegrating from the inside.  It has what looks like a stainless bolt on the engine end but the battery side the wire is full of rust and corrosion. 

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For $63 bucks I'm looking at the True Gel mg10l-a2

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My lithium ion battery has lasted for years. Put it in and forget about it. No need for a trickle charger. In the winter, just heat it up a bit by trying to start, let it sit a few seconds, and repeat. BTW, my bike sits outside all winter and the battery stays with it.