duff battery?

Sorry if the answer to my question is in a rec.m/c faq on the web somewhere.
I had a quick search for one but without any joy.

My bike won't start on cold mornings. A couple of times I've managed to
start it after about an hour of push starting (well, probably about 10mins
of pushing with a lot more sitting on the bike catching my breath). I get
the feeling that it was sitting in the sun that has solved the problem
rather than the exertion. How do I work out if I should be buying a new
battery, or just a charger/optimiser? And will the problem just go away when
it gets warmer or does the battery need some help anyway?
I've just bought the bike. It's only 9 months old but has hardly been used
up to now (only 1,500miles). I've only commuted on it so far (about 1/2hr
each way scooting round traffic). There's nothing like the problem starting
when it comes to the return trip home.

Any advice, or just a point in the direction of useful websites would be
most appreciated.
Cheers
Brygi

PS Is there anything like the closed down Motorcycle Maintenance Workshop in
Basildon anywhere in Greater London? Sounds like it was a wonderful place.

 

What bike is it?
Does it have an electric starter?
Does the starter turn over well from cold?
Is it 2stroke or 4stroke?
Where is it stored overnight?
Does it get damp?
What throttle/choke technique are you using to start from cold?
Is it (aarghh) autochoke?
Ever smell petrol after a few attempts to start it?

Alternatively you could just pop into the dealer you bought it from only
9mths ago, ask them to check it over for cold starting & maybe pick up a few
cold starting tips.

And think yourself lucky it's not an old 500cc Brit single !

Bandit Frenzy.