New Battery Price Shock

Hello again,

I'm trying to get the bike ready for spring and it's time for a new battery. It's
the original that came with the bike 7yrs ago so it doesn't owe anyone too much. I called local bike shop (not a Honda dealer) to get a price on a replacement YTZ-12S. He tells me to sit down $247.00 I was unable to reply for a moment. He told me he can get ahold of a cheaper version made by ? for around $100.
I called a second place that I normally order my car batteries from. For the exact Yusa replacement he still wants $135 plus tax which pushes it over 150.
Just wondering what others are paying for batteries. I know the sealed gel batteries are more expensive than conventional but I wasn't expecting this. Anyone in the Toronto area have a cheaper source.

Thanks for you help. Looking forward to meeting some of you in Niagra Falls in May.

 

WestCo Batteries

Hi Folks,
Westco makes agm batteries for motorcycles. I have replaced OEM batteries with Westco batteries in at least three bikes and I'll put one in my VFR when it's time.
They usually run about $80-90. Excellent batteries, and a lot less than Yuasa.
Cheers!

Craig :smile:

 

Unfortunately, that's about what I paid...

A cheap battery from Autozone, or even Wal-Mart, is fine for an older VFR...but the 6th Gen's battery is at least a half inch shorter in height than the 5th Gen's. I looked all over, but couldn't find the required 12-s at any of the 'knock-off' suppliers. That was over a year ago though...so good luck!

 

Canadians must do their math differently than I. The last battery I bought was a Yuasa for the Hawk GT & it was $67 at the local dealership. They even offered to fill it & charge it for me.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I have used Westco and a walmart battery - all have been better than the stinko Yusa battery.

 

I was noticing that batteries where a little bit more... is that because the terminals are switched around? I have two good batteries but the terminals are on the wrong side. I'm thinking about lenthening the wwires and just using them

 

If you think the price of batteries here in the north are shocking, wait until you start pricing out tires. Michelin Road 2 rear tire Catalogue price $325. Most places will cut a deal and only charge $300. :thumbsup:

I'm wondering about the batteries people are getting at Autozone,Walmart etc. Are they sealed gel type or are they conventional batteries.

 

I have a Walmart "evermaxx" battery and couldn't be happier. You have to fill it yourself but it's suppose to be maintenance free IIRC. It's the AGM(Absorbed Glass Matt) type. Around $50-60 USD IIRC.

As far as tires go. Buy online and have them installed locally or by yourself. Unless the local yocals charge an arm and a leg for mounting/balancing, then it may be cheaper to use the stealerships.

The Michelin Pilot Road 2CT tires are the most expensive(~$350 USD a set) sport touring tires I've looked into. The Dunlop Roadsmarts, Pirelli Diablo Strada, and Continental Road Attacks are all similarly priced($250-300 USD a set)

 

AGM batteries

The cheaper batteries are probably conventional types (lead-acid). The batteries from Westco are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. These are maintenance free and I have got up to 6 years out of them on bikes that are used regularly. Well worth the extra cost in my opinion. Some of the cheaper batteries don't handle vibration as well as the more expensive ones. Vibration is one of the main causes of battery failure in motorcycles, along with improper initial usage.

Cheers!

Craig :smile:

 

i paid like 70 for a sealed battery at Batteries Plus

 

+1 on a cheapo from a cheapo.
I bought mine from WalMart with no issues.

 

+2 on a cheapo from a cheapo...autozone had a 12v battery that works just fine.

 

go Westco they have the maint. free batterys no adding water. I think it's worth the money.

 

Thanks guys for all the great info.

I'll try the Walmart here in Canada and see if they carry what I need. Is there a specific part number or just YTZ-12s.
If they don't carry it, I guess its a road trip to Buffalo for me. Even with the gas
I'll come in way under $247.

Thanks again for taking the time to help a lowly newb.

 

I'd give you my part number but the little birds tell me that the 6th gen's battery is shorter than my 5th gen battery...or so they say. Sorry.

Glad we could help you out though.

P.S. Take your old battery in with you to make sure you have the right size or measure it. Where I live you'll also get charged like $9 USD for a battery core charge and disposal fee or something.

 

Sears sells Yuasa batteries; they are rebadged as a DieHard. Bought it a couple years ago, it was $50. Probably costs more now but not $200+

 

I just paid $120 for a rear PR 2ct. Derby Cycles - Motorcycle Accessories $155 w/ shipping, $279 for the set with shipping.

 

NICE! I haven't seen them that cheap anywhere. Thanks for the info. I still have a set of Pirelli's to run through before my next set but I'll keep this in mind.

 

I'm also in the same boat, mine just gave up one morning and died. I've been also shocked at the prices.
I found WestCo part#12V12A-BS and other brands with a part#of YTZ12S and XTAZ12S. WTF is the difference and should I care. The battery that was in my VFR was a #12V12A-BS. That's all I know about it. I can find that battery at WestCo for $82.95 free shippping. Or a BatteriesPlus brand XTAZ12S for 78bucks.
I'm leaning toward the WestCo brand even thought it has a different part# than the recomended YTZ12S. The Westco has a 10AH and I think see the YTZs have 11AH. Maybe I'll take a ride to my local Walmart and see what they have.