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Message started by aceshigh92 on 09/17/08 at 03:42:50

Title: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/17/08 at 03:42:50

I just bought my first bike, i have a 1997 suzuki savage ls650.
i been told the battery needs frequent recharging. how often should i recharge, what are the signs i need to recharge, is there an indicator light? what kind of charger is recommended.

thanks, Peter

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by forrest on 09/17/08 at 04:13:21

Did the previous owner tell you this? Is it because it is an old battery? Or one that has been run down a few times? If he told you that then you may need a new battery.
There isn't an indicator other than the bike maybe reeeeaaal slow to turn over; or maybe not at all.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by bill67 on 09/17/08 at 05:42:57

Be sure theres water in it,I never have to charge battery during riding season.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by mornhm on 09/17/08 at 05:54:21

The Savage and most MCs will charge their battery fine if you get out and ride a decent distance several times a week without shutting the motor off and restarting too many times. If you are only going to ride on the weekends and then only for short distances (less than 10 miles) at low speeds (less than 40) then you want to probably keep your battery plugged into a tender when parked at home. A battery tender is also a good idea if you are going to to for more than a week without riding.

If you are riding everyday at highway speeds for ten miles or more and your battery discharges, you have a load (short?) discharging your battery.

Other symptoms of a low battery charge is a MC that either won't start or starts with difficulty. (Sometimes the engine will seem to be turning over just fine, but the voltage is low enough not to give a good spark).

As bill67 pointed out, check your level in the battery and refill as necessary. This is just regular maintenance. Also if you think you are having problems check the connections to the battery. (Make sure they are tight).

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by Paladin. on 09/17/08 at 07:38:43

40424452494846491813210 wrote:

I just bought my first bike, i have a 1997 suzuki savage ls650.
i been told the battery needs frequent recharging....

HUH??? The ONLY time a vehicle battery needs recharging is when it has been abused -- by leaving said vehicle parked with the key/lights on, by leaving said vehicle parked, ignored for long periods, or by a failure of a part of the charging/storage system. I've done all three.

First is common. Batteries really really hate going totally flat, I've never had one get past the third full discharge. The second is common on low mileage motorcycles -- how many miles on your '97? The third is correctable by getting a new battery (an AGM if you'll be parking/not riding for extended periods of time) and/or fixing the charging system.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/17/08 at 17:14:11

it has 6688 miles on it,
the previous owner barely ever used the bike.
would it be good to get a charger for the winter?
what is recomended?
and on the gass supply valve what is the equivalent of off on the valve? because the owner didnt have/give me a manual for the bike i might ask alot of stupid questions because i dont know much.

thanks

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by bill67 on 09/17/08 at 17:23:21

Did you check the battery for water,during the winter I charge about ever 2 months on 2 amps over night ,then take it off,There is no off on the gas lever just leave it on on.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by Charon on 09/17/08 at 19:00:32

The Savage gas lever, or more correctly petcock, has three positions. They are PRI, ON, and RES standing for PRIme, ON, and REServe. PRIme forces the petcock open and allows gas to flow to the carburetor. It is provided so that, if the carburetor is dry, it can be filled to make starting easier. ON is the normal position. Engine vacuum turns the fuel on when the engine runs, lack of vacuum shuts off the fuel when the engine is stopped. In the ON position fuel is drawn from a tube sticking a couple of inches up into the tank. REServe operates just like ON, except that it draws fuel from the bottom of the tank. You normally leave the petcock ON. After driving a hundred or so miles, you will run out of gas. You then reach down and turn the petcock to REServe, which gives you about half a gallon of gas. Practice this move BEFORE the thing runs out of gas in traffic. And remember to put the petcock back to ON when you fill up, or when you run out of gas the next time it will be for real.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by T Mack 1 on 09/17/08 at 19:01:57

First, there is an download-able owners manual in the Tech - Ref section. Use the INDEX which is one of the top posts. It's real handy to have.

Next, Most batteries will have a date of manufacture on the label..... well ... it should... A battery more than a few years on it may need replacing. But.... check the acid level first (also shown in the OM).

Next, you should get a repair manual, the clymers manual is setup for the shade tree mechanic, and the Factory Service Man is really great for the big engine jobs..... (I have both, I like the wiring diagram in the Fact. Serv. Man. better than Clymers)

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by Paladin. on 09/17/08 at 19:36:51

40424452494846491813210 wrote:

it has 6688 miles on it, the previous owner barely ever used the bike.

Poor little bike, hardly ever got to go out and play. I do hope you intend to treat it better.

40424452494846491813210 wrote:

would it be good to get a charger for the winter? what is recomended?

Depends on you and your "winter". And your battery.

There are two main types of motorcycle batteries: flooded and absorbed glass matt. A flooded battery has liquid acid that you can see thru the case or by removing the caps to the cells. An AGM battery has the acid absorbed in a glass matt between the plates, no liquid acid to spill or check. An AGM battery self-discharges at a far lower rate than a flooded battery, and should be able to start the bike after sitting for four-five months. One month no problem! If I were to be in a situation where I would be ignoring the bike for a month at a time it would definitely have an AGM battery in it. If I had a bike with just electric start and no kicker it would (and does) have an AGM battery.

Assuming you are where the streets are cleared in the winter, assuming a sunny day at least once a month in the winter, take the bike for a fifteen minute to an hour or more ride once a month. That and an AGM battery and you won't need to bother about the battery.

40424452494846491813210 wrote:

and on the gas supply valve what is the equivalent of off on the valve?

Little handle pointed down is 'on' normal, draws off the top two and a smidge gallons of gasoline. Pointed foreward is the 'reserve' position that taps into the bottom half gallon or so of gasoline. When you are riding and run low on gas the bike will cough and spit and sputter and carry on to where you'll be wondering if something broke -- and you reach down and move the lever from down to foreward and you have 20-40 miles to find a gas station. Both 'on' and 'reserve' off when the engine is off -- they are turned on by engine vacuum. The third position is 'prime' -- taps the whole tank and is always on. It is used it the bike has sat too long and the gasoline has evaporated out of the carb and needs to be primed to start. (also useful if vacuum has been insufficient to keep the carb happy -- as in steady 75 mph cruise)

40424452494846491813210 wrote:

because the owner didnt have/give me a manual for the bike i might ask alot of stupid questions because i dont know much.

The stupid questions are those not asked. Your dealer can get you a replacement owner's manual for a reasonable price. A Chilton's is handy. As is this forum.

None of us knew much to start with. Scare me, tell me '92 was your birth year.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by trev0006 on 09/17/08 at 20:58:20

That is some low miles.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/18/08 at 13:31:35

yes 92 was my birth year.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/18/08 at 14:10:32

what do you mean by Be sure theres water in it?

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by verslagen1 on 09/18/08 at 15:02:12

If your battery goes dry, you'll need a new one soon.

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/18/08 at 15:10:32

thanks

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by bill67 on 09/18/08 at 15:27:15

distilled water is the water you need for the battery

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by Foxman on 09/18/08 at 15:50:36

Hope this helps

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x12/CurtisFox2004/Motorcycle_Battery.jpg

U may need a new battery if you fill it up, charge it, and it doesnt work. However.. on that note... Im having an issue right now, I bought a new agm battery.. from Batterys Plus. And its got a dead cell.. Ive been tryin to get the bike running for ah 6 weeks now i even rebuilt and cleaned the carb, and just today i realized the problem now was the battery. (the carb still had to be redone sat for over 4 years) I bought a Voltage tester for $3.94 harbor freight. Battery should read around 12-14 Volts with bike turned off, Turn key to on and the Volts should drop slightly, When you start the bike volts should drop no lower than 9.6 volts or the battery is toast- this is assuming the battery is fully charged before begining. Somone correct me if im wrong.
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/18218_motorcycle-battery-two.htm - howto video that i found
Good luck!

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/19/08 at 03:29:19

cool, this diagram will help alot.
thanks

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/19/08 at 13:19:27

how do i take the battery out to look at the water levels?

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by bill67 on 09/19/08 at 14:14:34

Take of the tool box cover with the key,then you see how to get it out

Title: Re: Questions from new Suzuki savage owner.
Post by aceshigh92 on 09/19/08 at 15:20:03

cool,
thanks