ok, I let my 500 sit for like.. 2 months.. and now I jumped it to start my bike (car was off), and immediately after removing one of the jumper cable ends, the bike just dies.

I'm thinking the alternator because the bike is already running, or is there a device (that is not the alternator) that may have gone bye bye.

Man, I should have taken precautions.. but didnt think I'd get so caught up with life and forget to ride.

 

If you dont have enough battery power, the bike will die like you have described. The best thing to do when not using your motorcylce for long periods of time is to take the battery out and put it somewhere that keeps it away from the elements. Also, you should periodically check the acid level on your battery and refill it as needed. A lifetime supply of battery acid can be had for like $12 at your local Oreilley's. (Not really lifetime, but its a big bottle that'll last you for a while.)

Do not put distilled water in these batteries though, you will destroy them. More than likely, your battery is bad and even if is low on acid, it will still be bad if you filled it up. New batteries are around $50-60 dollars. I have yet to find a maintenance free battery for our bikes
-Cody

 

It's not the acid that evaporates from the battery, its the water.

Distilled water is preferred, not tap water. The minerals in tap water promote sulfating of cells faster.

At some point in time (if the levels stay low for a long time) the cells will sulfate and nothing you do will make it come back. Motorcycle batteries are fickle things, they can last a year, or they can last several. That's why there are warranties.

How do I know all this crap? I used to teach it..

As for the bike suddenly dying, check the battery voltage, and the charging voltage.
Battery voltage (when new) is 12.4-12.6. Any lower than 12 may spell trouble for the battery. Recharge and let stand for a few hours and check again.

While the bike is running, checking the voltage across the terminals should get you anywhere from 13.5-15 volts at a fast idle (about 1500 rpm). If all you have is plain battery voltage (the non-running type), your alternator is not putting out. This can be a bad regulator or a bad alternator. To troubleshoot further will require a book and a fairly good digital multimeter.

 

yeah, I figured it would be the battery(bought new one it everything is good).. dont see how an alternator would "just go bad".