Complicated battery issue. Is it dead or not?

[gtexan]

I am having a complicated battery issue.  I posted part of this in another thread, but I thought I'd start a new one just to clarify everything a little more easily (and no so many words!)

I have a 2002 bet & win 250.  The battery is a 12BS 12V10AH battery, which is 1.5 years old.

If I attach the battery to the charger and leave it overnight, the scooter starts up easily and quickly.
If I drive the scooter to run errands, when I go back to the scooter, it starts up easily and quickly.
If I drive the scooter around, and then try to start it 1 day later, it starts up easily and quickly.

If I leave the scooter for more than 2 days, when I try to start the scooter, it will not start easily.

If I try and start it, the "battery indicator" says it has 2/6 charge and this drops to 0 on the first push of the starter button.  The digital display goes blank, and the clock resets to 0:00.  If I prime the engine, and repeatedly try to start it, eventually I can always get it started.  Sometimes it takes a good 2-5 minutes of this and requires a lot of throttle twisting before it will start.

Naturally, I thought the battery was dead.  I put it on its charger, and left it overnight.  I took it to 2 battery places.

1. Nappa Auto Parts - They tested it and said it read 13V and 200 CC AMPs.  They said it was a good battery

2. Battery Specialist (local) - They tested it with 3 testers. 
The first said it was 12.8V and 180 CC Amps.  Good battery.
The second said it was 12.8V and 200 CC Amps.  Good battery.
The third test put something that he called a "mechanical load" on the battery, which he explained was basically a short.  As soon as he put the load on the battery, it dropped from "good battery" to "bad battery"

He then put it back on the first tester and it said 12.8V and 160 CC AMPs.  Marginal battery.
He said he thinks its a bad battery.




I would believe this guy, but he also tested a "new" battery he had sitting on the shelf.  He said it was a bad brand, and he had been having a lot of trouble with it.  It also failed the "mechanical load" test.  As I have no idea what this test is doing, and because the more sophisticated testing equipment said "good battery," I don't really know what to think. 

If a battery is dead and only holds a surface charge, will it still say 12.8V and 200 AMPs? 

[OldGuy]

Try a hydrometer test if you can get at the cells. One like this should be sufficient. You can find them at any auto parts store.

[kawzak]

Hey, I agree with oldguy, check it with a hydrometer, but if your battery is a maintenance free one you will have to pry off the filler strip to check the electrolite with the hydrometer. (your not supposed to have to ever add water).I assume it is a maintenance free by the 12(BS)  designation. I would just buy a new battery-and charge it first with a low amp charger (smart charger preferably) untill its up to full charge. Because  it's 1-1/2 yrs old, I would probably replace it even if it did test good. I would rather not be stranded because of a questionable battery, and getting a "jump start" can sometimes be disasterious if someone makes a mistake hooking up the jumper cables to the wrong terminal. You know "stuff" happens.