trouble starting... help!

[hot_lava]

My little GZ sits for a week or two at a time sometimes, depending on the weather and my schedule...so I know to turn the fuel valve to the "PRI" setting just to start it then putting it back to "ON" when it's been sitting...

This time though, it's not working! I always have to turn the choke up when I start it after sitting for a while (even a couple of days)...and I did that too! The engine tries to turn but just won't get there...I'm guessing maybe a dead battery? A bike riding friend of mine said if the horn still works the battery isn't dead, and the horn did work when I tried it...so I'm just not sure what to think now. I know a pretty fair amount about car engines and am still learning about bikes. I just bought my GZ in June.

The bike is a 2001 model and I know it sat a lot with the previous owner (only had 1800 miles when I bought it)... so who knows if the battery has ever been replaced. I have a charger and he showed me how to use it, should I try that? (I've been hesitant since there's no outlet outside of my house and I'm afraid of using an extension cord with the charger)

Also, and maybe I should have mentioned this earlier...but I didn't get the cover on it in time for a pretty big downpour we had here recently...it was out in the rain for a day or so...could this have done permanent damage? On that note, is it ever ok to leave your bike out in the rain? I mean, it happens, right?

It's a perfect weekend for riding, I'm frustrated!!! Any tips are appreciated :roll:

Ava