Have an 06, and had super fun with it since purchase last year.
I've been riding all winter, and just began to have a problem with starting. Both times, i had already been out on the bike, then went back to head home and could not start it.  Both times i was eventually able to get it going, but had no clue how or why it finally started.

Lights on, neutral lite fine, horn works; but no ignition or start (no choke or throttle problems).
Went through all the normal checks, and took the seat off to make certain everything was connected. All good.

The one thing I found was it appears there is no fluid in the battery window.
So the manaul says to add distilled water if the battery window shows low fluid...HOW do you do that??  Taking it out is a MAJOR expedition, so any assistance in avoiding that would be great.

BTW - thanks to the article on those dog-gone flimsy screws, i have one soaking under wd40 hoping for loosening by the weekend when the whole thing gets a work down. The hammer and screwdriver technique has already been tried. Being a girl with hardly any upper body strength is a pain when you are trying to work on your bike!

Ummm...okay, I'll pull it this weekend, but I am still clueless even after reading the oh-so-not-technical manual.  Once the battery is out, does the top come off? Where do you put the water?

I ride to and from the office daily, so this is a pressing concern (as in i need to get it fixed pronto).

And i will check out the alternative battery type - this is too much fussing around when i just want to be out riding!

I to have an AGM battery (not a big crank as my used bike came with a new battery - will replace in due course with much recommended big crank) - maintenance free living!

As it is you need to pull the battery - a bit of a pain hence recommend an AGM if yours is shot.

As your battery is/was out of fluid it may be wrecked, but recommend you take it out, fill to correct markings on each cell (with distilled not tap water - such as you'd put in an iron) & charge it with the cell tops off on a low charge - it might be OK. remember - no sparks or lit matches/cigs around a battery when caps are off & it is charging - it can explode (I'm not kidding!)

maybe you are lucky & it will then hold a charge (a car parts  place may be able to check if it is shot for you - call them before taking it in & keep level when transporting in car.

skatnbnc wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:04:


Addendum to other's recommedations: I take the battery all the way out (standard electrolytic non-maintenance free type). Either use a basting bulb, or go to a Vet and get a LARGE syringe like they use on big animals. Either work well for adding small measureable amounts of distilled water. Oh... and not all of the little caps unscrew from batteries that have them; some you just pull out like a cork.

I agree with others... Big Crank maintenence free Gel cell battery is some very well spent money.

try this....this is the one I have....fit perfectly

http://www.batterymart.com/c-suzuki-l650-savage-all-1986-2002.html

I got the battery tender jr. with it as well

This morning I followed the instructions you guys gave me and....SUCCESS!!!  Impact tools worked like a charm, battery removed, distilled water filled the little yellow capped holes (using the turkey baster - sweet tip), and finally replacement, then ZOOM ZOOM!

That was just plain EASY!  No wonder you all thought i was crazy for even asking.

I rode to the store a bit ago, and everything is great. Thanks to all for the help, I appreciate it very much!  

Okay guys - the same problem is BACK!  ???

I added distilled water to the battery (which it needed) last Saturday. Bike started right up and has been run twice since then.

Rode to work this morning, rode to an errand, came out 5 minutes later and the bike would not start.

Same symptoms as before: all lights work, horn, flashers fine. Choke adjusted, bike still very warm from being run a few minutes earlier. No starter action.

Waited 5 minutes, tried again, nothing. Waited 5 more minutes, bike started right up no hesitation. What the??

Hmmm. Anyone have any OTHER ideas as to the problem or what I need to check?

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