Ok so I hate to admit, yet I will.  
I let my battery run out of water
again. I got off of work Sunday a.m.
and no start.
Crap as it had ran just great day before
as well as evening before starting right up
and never gave any indication that it was low
or even so close to being out of water.

So a couple nice guys offered to push and we
got her going. I got home fine and thought I
was going to have to replace the battery.

Hubby refilled and charged battery and she
purrs just fine.

So my question is. How often should the water
level be checked? This is the 2nd time in a year
if my memory serves me correctly that this has
happened.
Granted we have had an unusual warmer summer
than usual, I have been riding her a lot as well.
I guess I am going to have to put that in my memo
log to check at least 2 to 3 times per year.
Lucky for now I didn't have to put out the $82.00
for a new battery..  
Still running on stock 09 battery.. Hugs Kim & Genie

Well, I am not looking for trouble - but if your battery gets low that often I would think the battery is being overcharged, or it is too hot where you live, or something.  However....if adding distilled water every couple of months keeps you riding.....it works for me.  And it is proper to add distilled water.....electrolyte is only added for the initial filling to activate the battery.
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/water_loss_acid_stratification_and...

If you are using water that often - I am not sure a maintenance free battery would be a good thing.....as they may not hold up as well to whatever is causing your battery to dry up so quickly.

Dave

Ditch it for a sealed battery. If it has run dry a time or two it may not be up-to-snuff, and let's be honest, it is a PITA to pull it out of there.

I picked up my '96 last year and never even thought about the fact it was a wet battery. Float charged her over the winter and sure enough was dry when I pulled it out in the spring. Swapped a sealed and have not looked back...

Of course, the comments about overcharging are good as well!

We know that they are vented,yes,sealed in that you can't add water,but if not vented,they would change shape with temperature changes. And,even glass mat needs juice,and juice can evaporate if it's overcharging all the time.Before I dropped the$for a new battery,I'd sure want to know it was gonna last. Your battery may simply not be accepting sufficient charge to get the regulator to stop pumping into it.. I d have it tested.. The regulator may be fine..