Battery Recommendations

[stephen.stallebrass]

Do you have any battery recommendations?

Since i had the bike serviced a few weeks ago its been close once or twice to not starting in the mornings when cold. Maybe it's just the winter but I think I need a new battery. What do ya'll reckon. Although the instrument panel check seems strong. Probably should check volts first thing in the morning see if it's sufficient.

I had NGK Iridium IX spark plugs fitted and full synthetic Amsoil 10w40 motorcycle oil put in during service... these wouldn't have anything to do with it would it? Didn't have any problems last winter??? Although I've heard that oem batteries aren't great and last only a few years... any truth in that? (mine is a 2008 with original battery).

 

[snaponphil]

Original battery

Ur lucky I think..
Mine did the same, a couple of near misses on starting when it was cold, then it died completely a day after its 2 year birthday, dealers wouldn't do anything except 10% but I think it still cost me £100..
My advice get one charged ready to fit..

 

[Dean]

Do you have any battery recommendations?

Hi Stephen, optimate is your friend (and if you forget will charge to life from flat)

had another batery fitted (same again) a dongle for easy atatchement + optimate (at a cost to run per year at less than a couple of quid ish thats optimates words not mine).

two green lights in my cold garage tell me its good to go

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

My bandit had trouble on cold mornings... but that was an easy task to access the battery and fit the charger. The f8 requires a bit more effort.

Been thinking about getting the BikeStart socket and booster cables for when on the road travelling if I need a jump start...

...but I do need a more permanent fix. FYI the bike is kept outside overnight. I'll look into the optimate options, thanks. A battery replacement will probably be a good idea as a precaution before travelling anyway I think?

choice here if you click other brands http://www.tayna.co.uk/SVR-14-P4096.html

I'd go for the Westco at £56.20
http://www.tayna.co.uk/YTX14-BS-Westco-Motorcycle-Battery-P3384.html

This 5% discount code was posted by Nomad Biker earlier this month
enter code autoexp at checkout.

or take a punt on the Lucas batteries that seem to have appeared recently. I've no idea if they are any good or just some Chinese crap using the brand. Cheap though at £36 delivered http://www.batterybayuk.co.uk/produ...cle_Battery_including_Acid_Pack_MC-LU-YTX14BS

Tayna are a know, reliable quantity. The other firm is a random URL from google, cheap though!

 

[Smythson]

Albeit i've not used mine yet, Optimate make a canbus friendly charger that you can plug straight into the existing DIN socket, may save you some wiring...

Also, if you are doing RTW or similar type riding then Shorai do a lithium based battery that is very light in comparison to stock. There's an enormous thread on ADV. There are some naysayers but it would appear largely without evidence, though this may be due to the fact riders have not had years to test these things yet.

Best of luck,

S

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

I think it'll come down to the deka (if the UK distributor has one) or the westco... I'll see how a new battery fairs and then consider the optimate 4. I'll have a look at the Shorai lithium too.

Cheers.

 

[MikeMike]

It would take a very brave Chinese company to use the name Lucas for electrical products.

Oddly enough, the Lucas electrics were the most dependable item on my old Commando, come to think of it, my old Commando was probably my most reliable bike ever!

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Westoco doesent make power sports batteries, they make labels and stick them over other manufactures batteries. As to their product being good, it depends on who's battery they are currently rebadging.

No idea if this is true???

...Shorai do a lithium based battery that is very light in comparison to stock.

I looked at the Shorai Lithium Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, part No. LFX14A1-BS12, and they look pretty good, albeit a bit pricey @ £130

Food for though though, thanks. I now have three in the running...

 

[Fanum]

Hi Stephen, optimate is your friend (and if you forget will charge to life from flat, completely disguising the fact that the battery is fukked.)

had another batery fitted (same again) a dongle for easy atatchement + optimate (at a cost to run per year at less than a couple of quid ish thats optimates words not mine).

two green lights in my cold garage tell me its good to go..It lied like a cheap Japanese watch of course.

Fixed for reality's sakes

Optimates (and similar chargers)......made to provide you with a false sense of security, guaranteed to make your battery give out on you at the worst possible moment (when you are far from home but never realised that your battery was terminally ill because the idiot lights told you it was 'all ok' )

They don't ruin a battery, but they will sure as hell hide a ruined battery from you until it bites you on the arse
Good for occasional use, but connect your bike up to one everyday and suffer for it

 

[Greggers]

A Rucas Battely..??

I just stumped up for an Odyssey from Finn .. not fitted it yet as it might need a little 'adjustment' of the battery box...

I also got a Motobatt AGM battery for the KTM last week from Busters - it was about £35.00 delivered A(bsorbed) G(lass) M(at) means that the electrolyte is genuinely gellied and contained and therefore completely spillproof. The Motobatt case is bright yellow - yummy - but the equivalent Yuasa AGM battery (a YTZ14S) was over £120.00 from an approved dealer.

At £35.00 I think I can afford to risk it for a biscuit ...

G

 

[chas820]

Battery masters are quoting £44:64 for a Yuasa YTX-14-BS

http://www.batterymasters.co.uk/Catalog-Motorcycle-Batteries_261.aspx?hp=-&mf=YTX14-BS&yu=-&conv=-

 

[Dean]

Fixed for reality's sakes


They don't ruin a battery, but they will sure as hell hide a ruined battery from you until it bites you on the arse
Good for occasional use, but connect your bike up to one everyday and suffer for it

Reality is original battery and the replacement allready bit me on the arse to many times to mention

Since optimate hooked up and two green lights zero arse bites, Il take my chances with that Japanese watch

As I do not use my bike dailey and some times its a week and knowing that the factory fited alarms suck power even when not on for me my optimate is my friend

 

[Greggers]

YTX and YTZ are different batteries hence the different price ... That's why I was quietly impressed with the Motobatt offering for the price .. Time of course will tell...

BTW - the YTZ that I had in the Katy came out of my '04 950 and had been in use for 3 years before going into the 400 ... then it was used sporadically, maybe twice a year until it died properly this spring - nearly 8 years abuse out of an OE battery isn't bad - is it?

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

My battery just about made it to Mongolia and back but its dying more and more everyday, its not done too bad considering its age. So, I finally ordered a new one today,

I went with the Yellow MBTX12U Motobatt today off the same ebay dealer. Was going to go with the Deka after some good reccomendations but its at least £20 more expensive and seems to have the same specs as the motobatt.

The motobatt kicked some serious butt in these tests. I like the 4 terminals too, will be great for the accessories... and its ready to go: no DIY mixing & charging (I don't have or use an optimate).

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Installed the motobatt today

It's smaller in height than the stock but it has spacers at the bottom to bring it up. It's a tight squeeze at the bottom because of the fins in the bottom of the battery tray but it will go in. However, when you try to reinstall the battery supp9rt it wont fit as there is a bit that sticks down into a recess in the stock battery. Nevertheless, I just removed the spacers from the motobatt and the battery goes in much easier and you can reinstall the battery support.

I'm quite happy with it upon first impressions. The bike hadn't been started in almost a week, sat outside in the cold and wet, , albeit covered up, and it started first time. (the battery comes fully charged) It has four terminals, which will be great for wiring in my accessories and not crowding the terminals. Although you only get one set of connectors so I'll have to look around for some. Will report back with views once it's been on for a bit and seen some riding. Not bad for £45.

BTW, if anyone is interested, check out www.BikerFM.co.uk tomorrow between 2200-2400 where I'll be joining Slimbo to talk about my 3 month solo adventure to Mongolia and Siberia that I did this year.

 

[Ash]

Fixed for reality's sakes

Optimates (and similar chargers)......made to provide you with a false sense of security, guaranteed to make your battery give out on you at the worst possible moment (when you are far from home but never realised that your battery was terminally ill because the idiot lights told you it was 'all ok' )

They don't ruin a battery, but they will sure as hell hide a ruined battery from you until it bites you on the arse
Good for occasional use, but connect your bike up to one everyday and suffer for it

my trophy became a nightmare after my Optimate gave me a false reading IE green lights,when i went to restart the trumpet in Reading, click click
Never used one since

 

[v8legend]

It has four terminals, which will be great for wiring in my accessories and not crowding the terminals. Although you only get one set of connectors so I'll have to look around for some.

With the added bonus of no 'service' display coming up when you're adding accessories.

 

[v8legend]

my trophy became a nightmare after my Optimate gave me a false reading IE green lights,when i went to restart the trumpet in Reading, click click
Never used one since

I've found with Optimate's and others that you can't just leave them on permanantly. You need to power them off every now and again so that it resets and starts the whole process over. Despite what the manufacturers say.

 

[Dean]

My battery just about made it to Mongolia and back but its dying more and more everyday, its not done too bad considering its age. So, I finally ordered a new one today,

I went with the Yellow MBTX12U Motobatt today off the same ebay dealer. Was going to go with the Deka after some good reccomendations but its at least £20 more expensive and seems to have the same specs as the motobatt.

The motobatt kicked some serious butt in these tests. I like the 4 terminals too, will be great for the accessories... and its ready to go: no DIY mixing & charging (I don't have or use an optimate).

Thanks for the heads up Motobatt seems a good choice, how is your replacement doing?

Mine let me down at the Normandy beaches a few weeks back talk about D-Day Lucky the British was there to save the day

But if I was alone without Tommy

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Thanks for the heads up Motobatt seems a good choice, how is your replacement doing?

So far so good. It starts first time every time with no battery tender / trickle charger and it's kept outside every night. Moreover, I'm not using it very often so it often sits for 2weeks without any use but it still starts great.