Need New Battery--what's the latest?

[Fazer]

A couple of times this fall my bike has failed to start--'98 Tourer..  One time it fired and died, but would not re-fire.  I am sure it's a battery issue.  Put the bike on the tender till the light shows green and starts right up.

I've had the bike three years and have no idea of the age of the battery that came with it.  I know this is an issue that has come up many times, and I have read old posts, but there's lots of new technology going into batteries these days, so I am hoping to get educated.

1)  go with something off the shelf at WalMart
2)  go with AGM maintenance free
3)  go with new LiFe technology--requires special charger.
4)  go with YUASA

Don't mind spending what it costs, but don't want to waste the bucks either.

What d' ya say???

[cross]

If you do decide on Lithium, do through research because a lot of them are junk.
I run YUASA AGM in all my bikes

[Jess from VA]

OE Yuasa, every time.

And not the one with a bit higher CCA either.  The standard CCA is more than adequate, and those will last longer than the higher CCA ones.  (Cold Cranking Amps)

On 24 x 7 x 365 Battery Tender Jrs (when not riding), my batteries last for 7-11 years.

No expert on the lithium ones, but don't they require some different kind of charger?  I already have a regular BIG adjustable amp one and a half dozen Battery Tender Jrs, and I don't want to have to buy one just for lithium batteries.  I also don't want something that might explode (more easily, or from incorrect charging, than a standard battery) mounted on my bike either.

I admit to being old and set in my ways and distrusting new fangled stuff, when I have mastered the care and maintenance of old fangled stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJX4BQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[F6Dave]

Walmart used to sell a pretty good battery for the Valkyrie, but when I looked for one last year they no longer carried that size.  I checked 3 stores and they all had dropped it.  So I paid a few more bucks and got a Yuasa online.

[six2go #152]

I've bought a couple from this place. No complaints.

www.batterymart.com/SFNT.html

[cross]

I usually type the battery model number in the google search followed by word  price to get cheapest price

[98valk]

LifePo4 batteries do not need a special charger.  u just have to use one that Does Not have a Desulfation mode and one which lowers amps/volts automatically once battery is charged aka smart charger.

I use a BikeMaster
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BikeMaster-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-DLFP-16-BS-DLFP-16-BS/122334888253?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

u want higher CCA which this one is, for when the temps are 40-50F, u have to have the headlight on for about 10 seconds to wake the battery up then turn off and then start.

comes with 3 yr warranty and saves 6 lbs over an AGM battery.

[Gideon]

I replaced my battery with a "Battery Plus" X2-14 sealed, maintenance free, high performance, gel-type. It has higher cranking amps than the stock YUSA battery.
This is my second one. I found it will last longer and cost less. 

[98valk]

I replaced my battery with a "Battery Plus" X2-14 sealed, maintenance free, high performance, gel-type. It has higher cranking amps than the stock YUSA battery.
This is my second one. I found it will last longer and cost less. 

it is an AGM per their site. I had to look that up since I've never seen a gel-type m/c battery. latest I've read is that AGM is better than gel anyway. It's a duracell but where is the copper top? 

https://www.batteriesplus.com/replacement/battery/x2/x214

[Dirty Dave]

I've relied on the AGM (absorbed glass mat)  for many years now. Deka is the brand I use.
Keep their charge for long periods.

No affiliation.

[Fazer]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I guess I'm leaning toward the OEM Yuasa YTX14-BS, cost about $75.

[MarkT]

OE Yuasa, every time.

And not the one with a bit higher CCA either.  The standard CCA is more than adequate, and those will last longer than the higher CCA ones.  (Cold Cranking Amps)

On 24 x 7 x 365 Battery Tender Jrs (when not riding), my batteries last for 7-11 years.

No expert on the lithium ones, but don't they require some different kind of charger?  I already have a regular BIG adjustable amp one and a half dozen Battery Tender Jrs, and I don't want to have to buy one just for lithium batteries.  I also don't want something that might explode (more easily, or from incorrect charging, than a standard battery) mounted on my bike either.

I admit to being old and set in my ways and distrusting new fangled stuff, when I have mastered the care and maintenance of old fangled stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJX4BQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

+1 agree with Jess absolutely.  Battery sized to the charging system is important and they will last longer.  Sized by qualified engineers.  I go through batteries a lot on Deerslayer which has a Compufire 1.3kW alternator and a large GW battery they recommend.  Not sized exactly so batteries don't last like they should.  When I first installed the CF w/o the correct battery I boiled the OEM one and it's replacement.

On the other bikes I buy Yuasa AGM std size CCA batteries w/o acid installed then store them on the shelf.  No shelf life limit until the acid goes in.  I bought one for Marty then decided that bike is a parts bike rather than a rider and not for sale, so I have a spare battery when I need one for George or Jade.  Once you put in the acid, charge it per the instructions.  IIRC that was 2 amps for 8 hrs. (I could be remembering the time wrong but it will be in the instructions.) I use a manual charger rather than automatic for that.

[Fazer]

Good to know Mark, thanks for the info.

[Valkski]

Yes, I bought a Delco for my 2006 Wing,It lasted 2.5 years. The previous Yuasa lasted 8.5 years.
  Rich K--- Valkski,Wingski,Runeski

[rockbobmel]

$62.50 here
https://www.amazon.com/YUASA-YTX14-BS-Maintenance-Free-Battery/dp/B000WJX4BQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513563550&sr=8-1&keywords=yuasa+ytx14bs

[kodiakfisher]

I searched and researched and this is what I decided on. I suspect the last one I didn't charge correctly as I used a trickle charger rather than a regular 2amp charger. With the regular Yuasa if it didn't read at least 12.8 volts I would get longer cranking to start.

With this new battery I let it run down to 12.4 and was shocked when it fired right up cold with no choke and 12.4 volts.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AC6XAEA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Doug E

[Hook#3287]

$62.50 here
https://www.amazon.com/YUASA-YTX14-BS-Maintenance-Free-Battery/dp/B000WJX4BQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513563550&sr=8-1&keywords=yuasa+ytx14bs

. That's what I did last battery I bought.  Adding the juice was easy and charging it no problem.

I like the idea of keeping one in inventory, ready to charge when needed

[baldo]

I just had to replace mine because of my cluelessness. I had too many wires attached to the posts  and got a longer screw to grab that nut. I wasn't paying attention and ended up bottoming it out and breaking the lugs.....DOH!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I just had to replace mine because of my cluelessness. I had too many wires attached to the posts  and got a longer screw to grab that nut. I wasn't paying attention and ended up bottoming it out and breaking the lugs.....DOH!

Bob, you need to get a fuse block. I have the Centech, but am thinking of upgrading to the Eastern Beaver.