Another battery question

[bscrive]

Hey guys,

The battery on my bike is getting weak so I am getting a new one.

I am looking at the Ballistic batteries.  There are two that will fit in the battery box.  The smaller one is 275cca 8 cell Odyssey and $145 and the larger one is 410cca 12 cell EVO2 and is $175.  The website says that the smaller one, which is the equivalent to the YTX14-BS, is for bikes with 1000cc or less and the larger one, which is the equivalent to the YTX20-BS, is for bikes 1000cc +.

Here are some on ebay.

410CCA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ballistic-Performance-Components-12-Cell-EVO2-LiFePO4-Battery-/190599583060?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c609ed554

275CCA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ballistic-Performance-Components-12-Cell-EVO2-LiFePO4-Battery-/190599583060?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c609ed554

Is there much benefit going with the larger one or would I just be wasting the extra $30.  I have heard good things about these batteries and I am tired of the Yuasa battery only lasting me 3-4 years.  These are supposed to go 8-9 years.

[Jess from VA]

My Yuasas go 10-11 years with a 24 X 7 Battery Tender plugged in while not riding.  Never lost a battery or Tender.

[Ricky-D]

Keeping good maintenance on the battery, like a tender will always win out over doing nothing at all.

Most all batteries you buy are only good and seldom guaranteed for more that four years.

The idea that some batteries will last longer is "pie in the sky".

You can spend big bucks for a battery, get a guarantee, and still end up on the short end.

You should always keep in mind the question of how difficult to get service when or if the battery goes bad.

***

[John U.]

My Yuasas go 10-11 years with a 24 X 7 Battery Tender plugged in while not riding.  Never lost a battery or Tender.

So do mine, and so do I.
I'm surprised to hear that Yuasas are not providing bscrive good service. A new battery needs to be charged before being put in service. Also, a Battery Tender or other "smart charger" will insure that the battery does not sit for long periods of time in a partially charged conditon, which will shorten the life of any battery.

[bscrive]

Up here in Canada the bike gets put away usually in late Oct and comes back out in early April.  I do take the battery out during the winter and I trickle charge it every month.  The battery sits in a heated garage so the cold does not get to it.  My last Yuasa that I bought only lasted me 3 years.  I purchased this one in Nashville when mine crapped out on me during a ride.  It was new out of the box and they said it was fully charged when I bought it.  That was in July of 2008.  The one previous to this one I bought in June of 2004.  I figured maybe I would have better luck with the Ballistic batteries since they are a gel battery and they are supposed to last much longer.

[Paxton]

I belive the OEM battery's CCA is 270.  The one I purchased is 310 CCA. It's supposed to be a "high-performance battery..."
Whatever that means. I hope it will last. 
BTW, I also purchased a new battery charger / maintainer 1 Amp and 2 Amps.  
Both items are in transit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120493845307?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[Ricky-D]

I have seen batteries cook away being on a trickle charger.

Simply because of the low amperage rating, don't confuse that with being safe for batteries.

If the only available source for battery maintenance is a trickle charger, it's imperative to use a volt meter to avoid overcharging the battery.

***

[Jess from VA]

Yep, years ago I had a little 1/4 or half amp trickle charger and left it on a bike all Winter. It eventually cooked the battery empty, with acid all down my powder coat frame (lucky I didn't get an explosion).  The trickle charger you want must have a brain to cycle from charge to no-charge (like a Battery Tender).  You never have to worry about an overcharge, and every time you go out for a ride you know the battery is optimal.  The things cost $30 or so and pay for themselves in years of added battery life.

[Gryphon Rider]

I do the same as you, bscrive, pulling my battery at the end of the season and giving it a 2A max. automatic charge overnight every 6 weeks or so.  My Yuasa lasted 7 years using this method.

[Hoser]

"they said it was fully charged when I bought it."  Sadly, that was probably the problem.     Hoser

[GJS]

Hey guys,

The battery on my bike is getting weak so I am getting a new one.

I am looking at the Ballistic batteries.  There are two that will fit in the battery box.  The smaller one is 275cca 8 cell Odyssey and $145 and the larger one is 410cca 12 cell EVO2 and is $175.  The website says that the smaller one, which is the equivalent to the YTX14-BS, is for bikes with 1000cc or less and the larger one, which is the equivalent to the YTX20-BS, is for bikes 1000cc +.

The battery with the fewer plates will last longer (all else being equal).
The battery with more plates will have more cold cranking amps. ( seem stronger)

I'd go with the 8 plate battery, unless you are starting the bike in the extreme cold.

My 2 cents

Glenn