Battery recommendations?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by GigemVFR, Oct 10, 2016.

  1. GigemVFR

    GigemVFR New Member

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    Figuring it is almost time for a new battery. Did not find much when I searched here and the other pasture. I have been through two of the Yuasa and only lasted about 3 years each. Tired of spending that kind of money on them and not lasting longer. Those are getting extremely pricey nowadays and there has to be a bigger bang for the buck. So I keep reading good things about the Motobatt battery. Think the MBTX9U keeps coming up as the replacement for the VFR800. I have also thought about lithium but not convinced on those and not ready to bite the bullet just yet. So I am checking with Motobatt to see if local dealer or will have to order online. Anyone suggest best place to get online and any experience with this battery or know of another battery that they have had good luck with? I know a couple have with my research but info a little outdated. Wondering if quality is any better or worse. thx


    http://www.motobatt.com/MBTX9U?search=mbtx9u
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2016
  2. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    I think Yuasas are very good, if not the best. I pro-actively just replace them at about 3 years because I ride in the middle nowhere. Cheap insurance for me and just another opinion. :eagerness:
     
  3. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Motorbatt is the way to go, made in China but obviously under strict supervision
     
  4. baz263

    baz263 New Member

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    I have a Motobatt in the VFR now, after the original got cooked by the usual suspects! It's over 2 years old now. I also had one in my track bike, an RSV Mille for over three years. It is still going strong.

    Sent from my SGP512 using Tapatalk
     
  5. REEK

    REEK New Member

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    same here.

    I've had about 6 motobatts and a lifetime of Yuasas. I can't say one is better than the other. Although my most recent motobatt failed early - after about a year but that was 4 years ago. I remember there was talk of either ownership or production method change around that time with motobatt.

    I have a lithium battery in my 92 gsxr right now. It cross references but I can't say I'm impressed. I needed a small battery due to a custom rear shock I put on requiring a battery box mod. If the bike doesn't start up by about the 5th crank, the battery shows it. Otherwise, it hasn't given me any issues.

    I've had a few Walmart batteries I bought in a pinch, go over 3 years as well. keep it on a trickle charger if you don't ride often and I think most batteries will do well.
     
  6. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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  7. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    I've used Motobatt for the last 6 years, no issues with these at all. I like the second set of terminals, great for powering accessories through a relay.
     
  8. Outboard John

    Outboard John New Member

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    I've owned my 07 rwb for almost five years now. The po had installed a Shorai Lithium in the bike so I'm not sure of its true age. I have done a number of things to this battery that is not recommended and it just keeps on keeping on. I don't have the special charger for it, one day I came out ready to ride and found that I had left my under fairing leds on over night, battery down to 2.4 volts! Screw it, I want to ride. Out comes the 12 amp fast charger, 10 minutes later, vrrrooom:eagerness: In hind sight, maybe lucky with the revelation of the Samsung S7! Anyway, that was a couple of years ago and it's still going strong. Resting voltage is always 13.2 even after not being ridden for a month or more. I will purchase another one when this one gives up. Isn't it curious that most bike and watercraft batteries only come with a six month warranty? Some of the premium ones, one year, and most are pricey. Doesn't seem like much battery for the price.
     
  9. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Chrome battery, AGM - off ebay. Western Powersports, maybe the same company. Fully charged 13.03 out of the box.
     
  10. MrSleep

    MrSleep New Member

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    Might look at Mighty Max. Get it from Amazon for $31.00. Have had agm type in vfr for about two years and the gel type in my atv for about a year. No problems so far and certainly cheap enough.
     
  11. GigemVFR

    GigemVFR New Member

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    Well, battery croaked couple weeks ago and going to try one of these Motobatt MBTX9U batteries and installed today. Had to slightly modify the bracket hold down and the plastic cover that goes around seat keyhole and battery but very easy to do. Obviously, the bracket and cover are made to fit Yuasa batteries only. I was concerned with how fast this new battery would turn over the motor as it says 160 CCA and the Yuasa says 210 CCA. However, the MBTX9U is direct replacement for YTZ12S according to their website and others.

    So, initial impression is battery looks pretty solid and well constructed. I like the zinc plated posts/connections on battery instead of the solid lead like on the cheapos. The four posts should allow me to connect the battery tender lead quick connect on the two remaining open posts or for accessories. The battery turns over the motor very fast and absolutely no problem. Fit of battery is same fit as Yuasa. Came with all the screws and allen wrench and ready to go out of the box. Plug and play.

    Also, for those of us in the Midwest states like NM, TX, KS, MO, OK etc, Continental Batteries has just become distributor of these only two weeks ago. So instead of me having to order out of Virginia, I was able to drive 10 minutes over and just pick it up. New battery including disposal fee, taxes etc only $58. Warranty on these is for two years. Pretty good bang for the buck. Will report back after some time has passed and see if the battery holds up as expected.

    Locations:
    http://www.continentalbattery.com/distribution.html

    Battery info:
    http://www.motobatt.com/MBTX9U?search=mbtx9u
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2016
  12. MrSleep

    MrSleep New Member

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    Odd, I've never had to modify the battery bracket or cover and I've ran multiple of battery brands. Oh well, glad you got it sorted.
     
  13. GigemVFR

    GigemVFR New Member

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    Just had to bend bracket a little. There is cutout in top center side of Yuasa battery and Motobatt there is not. It is straight across. There is also indention in same place on cover and little tab that fits in cutout of battery. Just had to trim the tab off and maybe redo the indention a little on cover. At least this way on mine.
     
  14. bf519

    bf519 New Member

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    Happy with Moto Batt also
     
  15. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    Shorai all the way.

    My VFR had a Chinese battery when I bought it & started having issues after I took my bike to the Dragon in Nov 2013. I finally replaced it with a Shorai in 2014; not one problem since. My bike cranks up immediately every time even after extended weeks of sitting

    Sent from my C6740N using Tapatalk
     
  16. GigemVFR

    GigemVFR New Member

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    I'll probably go with a lithium battery one day when I get more wealthy. I have been looking at the different mfrs and researching. Think Shorai and Deltran/Battery Tender folks and couple others (cannot remember off top of head) are on the top of the list. I had heard a few downfalls about lithium and waiting to hear more but think that was pretty much hearsay.

    Just checked after 2 hour ride and new Motobatt was 13.1V at rest, 13.8V at idle and 13.9V at 4K RPM on factory Regulator/Rectifier. Think I had read on here somewhere that the OEM R/R will probably never go more than about 13.8 or 13.9 as that is the cap on it unless you go aftermarket. I am at 20K miles on the bike so little nervous about the R/R failing knowing the story on these bikes. Will install one of the Roadster cycle R/R one day before this one fails but happy with the readings right now with new battery installed.
     
  17. Lint

    Lint Member

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    I had one of these in my 05 before it became a victim of the person pouring oil on Mulholand. I can't find my receipt. Which battery from them did you use?
     
  18. Lint

    Lint Member

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    On the flip side of this, the Chinese battery that was in my 05 lasted over 4years before it died. Even with sitting over a month a time or two.
     
  19. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Can't fault em for that, three years here and bike/car batterys are wasted pretty much. Which chinese battery were you running out of curiosity
     
  20. rvmiller

    rvmiller New Member

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    [​IMG]

    Sent from my C6740N using Tapatalk
     
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