2011 RT/SE5 Battery Recommendations?

[M109Dreamer]

Well it appears that the battery is finally starting to show that its on its last leg. If it stays off the tender for a few days it lags on cranking the motor. So have decided to start looking now for a new one since our riding season is just about to start.

Looking to see what everyone here has changed their OEM battery to and the comments and recommendations good or bad.

And a link if you have one to the one you would recommend would also be helpful.

Shane

 

[Bob Denman]

If you got 4 years out of the OEM; why not just "keep dancing, with the Girl that you brought to the Ball?" :dontknow: :thumbup:

 

[M109Dreamer]

If you got 4 years out of the OEM; why not just "keep dancing, with the Girl that you brought to the Ball?" :dontknow: [emoji106]

Based on the others I have bought for other 2 wheelers, I have been able to get just as good if not better batteries than the OEM without the OEM price tag.

 

[AeroPilot]

Based on the others I have bought for other 2 wheelers, I have been able to get just as good if not better batteries than the OEM without the OEM price tag.

Our 2011 RT got put together and took delivery in Nov 2011, so just 3 years of cranking - 60,000 miles plus but haven't pulled the battery to look for a "born" date. Just looking around for the options or if anyone has replaced a battery yet....

 

[DLewis]

Hmmm... seems like an epidemic!! Mine's also a little slow on the startup, and actually needed a jump today after stopping for gas. :banghead:
Was looking on the site for replacement battery also. And like all who need one, I have an '11 RT also. If I find something, I'll report back. (guess it was a good year for batteries, as we all got approx. 4 yrs worth)

 

[cougar]

I replaced mine with an Oddysey PC680.

 

[Chupaca]

I stick with "Yuasa", but shop for price... ebay, amazon, cheapcycleparts.com etc. :thumbup:

 

[macgyver 55]

Well it appears that the battery is finally starting to show that its on its last leg. If it stays off the tender for a few days it lags on cranking the motor. So have decided to start looking now for a new one since our riding season is just about to start.

Looking to see what everyone here has changed their OEM battery to and the comments and recommendations good or bad.

And a link if you have one to the one you would recommend would also be helpful.

Shane

I replaced my battery with a new battery from company on eBay - transcanada glass mat and works well, good to go.

 

[AbNormy]

Oddysey 680 lasted almost 5 years on my BMW R1200C and West Coast Battery even warrantied it after all that time once I sent the lid to them only had to pay freight. Highly recommend them.

 

[Bob Denman]

I stick with "Yuasa", but shop for price... ebay, amazon, cheapcycleparts.com etc. :thumbup:

:agree:
:2thumbs:

 

[M109Dreamer]

Thanks for all the responses. For the price I have found so far it looks like it would be best to stick with Yuasa.

I am also looking for a new battery as well in my M109. Had a OEM last 3 yrs, now have had a Odyssey last 4 yrs. For the price difference in price I think I will also stick with Yuasa as well.

Sucks having to shop for 2 at the same time.

 

[gypsy_100]

I stick with "Yuasa" but shop for price... ebay, amazon, cheapcycleparts.com etc. :thumbup:

Thanks for all the responses. For the price I have found so far it looks like it would be best to stick with Yuasa.

One word of caution. If you follow the Yuasa guidelines, they require you to only use the factory activated batteries - YTX24HL. Most on-line suppliers and many dealers stock the "bottle supplied" versions - YTX24HL-BS. They do this because there is no problem with shelf life as they are dry and not charged. They come dry with the acid in the separate containers. You then fill the battery, seal it up and do the initial charge. For most powersport applications Yuasa says the BS versions are fine. I just put one in my Suzuki V-Strom. But for the Spyder, they specifically state not to use it.

I queried Yuasa about this, and the reason is the laid-over position of the battery. Even though AGM batteries are touted as not leaking, Yuasa is concerned that initially less than 100% of the acid will be absorbed by the glass mat. Yuasa puts their factory-activated batteries through a specific and well controlled multiple charge and discharge cycle to insure the 100% of the acid is absorbed.

I, being conservative, had my dealer order a factory-activated battery which I then installed. I suspect that many, many replacement batteries are the BS version because of their ready availability, even when installed by dealers. Whether they ever have a problem, or whether Yuasa is being overly conservative, who knows? I decided I didn't want to find out the hard way. Just a word of caution. Do with it what you will.

 

[Bob Denman]

Interesting... I hadn't heard this before.
Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[M109Dreamer]

One word of caution. If you follow the Yuasa guidelines, they require you to only use the factory activated batteries - YTX24HL. Most on-line suppliers and many dealers stock the "bottle supplied" versions - YTX24HL-BS. They do this because there is no problem with shelf life as they are dry and not charged. They come dry with the acid in the separate containers. You then fill the battery, seal it up and do the initial charge. For most powersport applications Yuasa says the BS versions are fine. I just put one in my Suzuki V-Strom. But for the Spyder, they specifically state not to use it.

I queried Yuasa about this, and the reason is the laid-over position of the battery. Even though AGM batteries are touted as not leaking, Yuasa is concerned that initially less than 100% of the acid will be absorbed by the glass mat. Yuasa puts their factory-activated batteries through a specific and well controlled multiple charge and discharge cycle to insure the 100% of the acid is absorbed.

I, being conservative, had my dealer order a factory-activated battery which I then installed. I suspect that many, many replacement batteries are the BS version because of their ready availability, even when installed by dealers. Whether they ever have a problem, or whether Yuasa is being overly conservative, who knows? I decided I didn't want to find out the hard way. Just a word of caution. Do with it what you will.

Thanks for the info. I noticed the same thing on Yausa site. When you look up the battery for the Spyder it has a note by the battery about using only the "Factory Installed" batteries.

I also noticed when looking online there are a lot of folks trying to sell the "Bottle Supplied (BS)". I hope folks here will find this thread as to warn them not to get the (BS) version of the battery. I would hate to buy one of the (BS) batteries and find out it leaked down the side of the bike.

 

[billybovine]

Thanks for the info. I noticed the same thing on Yausa site. When you look up the battery for the Spyder it has a note by the battery about using only the "Factory Installed" batteries.

I also noticed when looking online there are a lot of folks trying to sell the "Bottle Supplied (BS)". I hope folks here will find this thread as to warn them not to get the (BS) version of the battery. I would hate to buy one of the (BS) batteries and find out it leaked down the side of the bike.

BRP used the BS batteries for the first several years of production. The problem was that the dealers were not following the prep instructions and not filling the batteries, I think it was 48 hrs, before installing. BRP then changed to the prefilled. k

 

[M109Dreamer]

BRP used the BS batteries for the first several years of production. The problem was that the dealers were not following the prep instructions and not filling the batteries, I think it was 48 hrs, before installing. BRP then changed to the prefilled.

Ooh, I could only imagine the dealers not following the directions, like them not following the maintenance procedures in the book when you bring it in for work.

 

[billybovine]

Ooh, I could only imagine the dealers not following the directions, like them not following the maintenance procedures in the book when you bring it in for work.

I think keeping the dealers inline is like herding cats!

 

[M109Dreamer]

I think keeping the dealers inline is like herding cats!

Yep, they really need a US division that can control dealers and also serve as a distribution hub for parts.

 

[billybovine]

Yep, they really need a US division that can control dealers and also serve as a distribution hub for parts.

I thought they did. I think the US headquarters and distribution warehouse is in wisconsin.

 

[M109Dreamer]

I thought they did. I think the US headquarters and distribution warehouse is in wisconsin.

Huh, if they do, I'm unaware about that. Well then, they have no excuse on parts being on backorder for months for customers. There is a point in the inventory when you reorder your stock once it gets below a certain number based on supply and demand. But it sounds like they have parts makers that only make them for a certain quantity which I am sure to keep the margins as low as possible. In the end, if there is a US distribution location it is far from a satisfactory performance as far as my experience goes. Waiting months for a part is just unacceptable in my eyes.