Battery died, what one do i need??

[GS_BOTT]

Hi, the battery died on me the other day, (was old and ran low on fluid )
so been looking for a replacement and seems there are different ones that fit YT12... is this standard lead acid, compared with a YTX14/CTX14 etc for gel one? was going to get one off fleabay, until i bottled out, searched on here with varied results too.

F650GS 2003

 

[wessie]

http://www.tayna.co.uk/fitments/1/Motorcycle-Motorbike-Fitments.html gives a Varta fitment

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/bmw/pro...&partcode=IA&header_text=&header_text_image=0 gives a Unibat or Hawker Odyssey choice. Big price differential.

http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/BatteryFAQ.htm#Section - Battery List gives the codes from different makers.

Use the codes above which are mainly YB12AL-A or similar (the first letter designates the maker e.g. Yuasa, Bosch). Look at the notes in the F650.com FAQ - the larger YTX14 battery may fit in some cases but will be a tight squeeze.

If you are still in doubt or just anxious, go to a retail shop and put the onus on the supplier to match the battery to your bike. Halfords & Hein Gericke are usually reasonably competitive on batteries or look up your nearest motor factor in yellow pages. They can usually get stock for the next day.

 

[wessie]

I've just noticed your are in Norfolk and possibly several days from a proper town. Another good source of batteries is a lawn mower dealer, especially one who sells Honda or Kubota ride-ons. These mowers often have Yuasa batteries fitted as standard so the dealer will be able to order one in from his wholesaler, although a YB12 is quite possibly the same as a ride-on mower.

The lawnmower shop in Fort William saved a mate getting a recovery down to the central belt when his CX500 battery died. Ordered at 3pm, collected next day at 11am.

 

[GS_BOTT]

Thanks wessie, looked on the chaingang site but obviously missed the battery faq , going to carry a spare gel battery (ex fire alarm battery backup unit) and some leads for the next few days, and probably go for a gel replacement. Don't think they are much better or longer lasting, but are 'maintenance free' until they expire. Never thought about the mower shops for batteries Good site the Tayna one.

 

[john_aero]

hawker oddesey, used by lot rallye riders. also you will need the touratech adaptor plate if get small size batt. all info on the FAQ oage linked already