Over Christmas my bike (BMW F650GS) wouldn’t switch off with the normal turn of the key (to off) in the ignition. Instead, I had to hit the kill switch and even then the display stayed on, which meant the lights were on too. It would also flicker off and on again, as if I was turning the key on/off. Anyway, after a bit of jigging with the key on/off on/off, it finally turned off and I covered her up for Christmas. 2nd Jan, I uncovered her and the battery was dead. Connected the freshly charged battery up to the bike again 2 days ago to find the same intermittent on/off stuff going on, then it eventually killed the battery this evening.

Anyone else had this issue and if its easily fixed? Also, while I was charging the battery I noticed the date of installation was 2011 with what looked like a best till: Aug 2014. Should batteries be change every 3 years? I bought the bike from a shop in October last and I’m also wondering if I have a case for a new battery off them?

Thanks
Jo