Dead bike

[grez]

I need some help from the good members of the GS forum. I have not run my 1150GS for a few weeks now due to other commitments. The starter turns over well and then it sounds like the starter disengages and makes a terrible racket, and then the clock re-set itself. There seams to be enough battery to run the lights ok but not to start it. A few questions as I am a mechanical moron:
1 - Can you bump start the bike without getting a hernia pushing it up a steep hill several times?
2 - Having never seen the battery, after you guys have told me how to get to it will it be ok the fire it up off the landrover battery?
I appreciate any help you guys can give me.

 

[Nick Marshall]

some advise

go out and buy an optimate battery charger, and an adaptor to plug into the power socket on the l/h side of your bike. The optimate will indicate if the battery is ok, charging and charged. When charged, see if you bike will start. regards nick

 

[grez]

Thanks Nick, I have looked at their site and there are several leads. Now comes the rest of the stupid questions. Which adaptor lead do I need and how does it all go together. Last time I messed with batteries I managed to burn all the oil and hairs off both arms so I am a little over cautious

 

[Commuter]

BMW Socket

You only need a bmw power socket type adapter, it is the one that plugs into the side of your bike, next to the lefthandside cylinder. Alternatively if you have an Adventure, the power socket on left handside of the beak.

One other way that may work. Leave the bike in a warm area for a few hours. Go to bike,Quickly put key in, CLUTCH in, start bike without lights on if you have a pre 2003 bike. Worked for me a few times as the battery had saved enough power. The bike is a pig to start without the full charge as there is so much power taken on the start up. Don't try too hard, I have killed a start motor doing this style of start one too many times.

Good luck. Nick

 

[Gas'd Off]

will it be ok the fire it up off the landrover battery?

Yes, fine

 

[Decster]

Grez,

I would check your battery to see if all the water levels are bang on. No harm to give it a charge.

Worked for me after bike sitting unused in a garage for 2 months.

When i tried it it started 1st time, but i switched it off with out having a spin on it 2 give the battery a good charging so it would start again. Took out the battery and discovered it need water. Filled the levels to the mark, gave it a good charge and bingo.

Decster

 

[Gas'd Off]

I would check your battery to see if all the water levels are bang on

Yup, good idea Decster. I checked mine recently while the tank was off and two cells were low. Seems to happen as the weather gets colder.

 

[Jimb]

Battery

Ifvit turns out to be the battery, replace it with a Westco gel, you can forget it then.