a strategy that has worked for me is set kill switch to off, start cranking then flick on. 650´s use batteries faster than earlier ´500´s, probibly from failure to upgrade starter w/ larger displacment. expect 2-3 yrs. max. depending use. good battery hygene: attend levels, battery maintainer, out/warm over winter, etc. helps. bike batteries ain´t car batteries. sporadic/indifferent Q.C. is ongoing controversy.