Where do you buy your bike battery from?! which brand?!

[5:12]

hello peeps,

just wondering and hoping to get some info i guess. where do you guys buy your batteries from? type?! brand?! cost?!

do you just buy it from your mechanic's shop?! CT?! walmart?! etc etc.

how did your chosen battery fair up?!

(toronto/gta area).

thanks.


Regards,
5:12

[Gryphon]

Hi 5:12,
Every bike shop has popular batteries in stock, typically OEM quality (read: Yuasa).
These days there are alternatives, like Gel batteries.
Gels batteries don't leak or dry out, 100% maintenance-free, and will work fine installed sideways or even upside-down.
I've had very good luck with inexpensive (Chinese) GS Gel batteries, which cost only $59 - 69 bucks.
A third choice is high-tech 'racing' batteries which are physically very small and light weight (but not inexpensive).

OEM Yuasa batteries have the largest selection and you are pretty well guaranteed the exact fitment for your particular model, ranging from $69 to $169 bucks.
So:
If you have an unusual or obscure model, OEM might be the only way to go.
Check and see if there's a GS Gel in the book for your ride though - if there is, you're in luck.
Batteries are rated in Amp-hours ie. 10, 12, 14 etc.
Then apart from their capacity, different models will be the same battery however terminals will be on the top, or the side, or unique location specific to the bike model.
Some bikes take really unusual (therefore rare) batteries, you're never gonna find at CTC, y'know?

Then there are the SuperSports; for example R6 and R1.
They use super-premium Yuasa high-energy MF (maintenance-free) which are sealed like typical car battery.
Often base-model bikes can upgrade to a MF battery for a few more bucks...
But more often you'll find R6 and R1 owners in shock (HOW much you say that is!? Yikes) downgrading to the $69 with the six little filler screws on top, just like 1978, heheh.
As usual, quality costs more and (when many miles from home) a battery seems not a good place to cheap-out.
Whatever...

Batteries need to be load-tested; it's the only way to be sure they've "had it" and should be replaced.
Many new, expensive, even MF batteries fail load-test though, and their warranty is short.
This is why I'm into the Gels, they're great!
All bike shops have catalogues from Canadian distributors Motovan and Parts Canada, and GS Gel batteries are in there.
If you need to order, typically it takes ~72 hours or so (3 business days).
Regards

[mototrek]

If you can get a Crappy Tire battery to fit in your box, grab it $39.00 for trouble free rides. I have an odd size "T" battery for the Honda Tourer - they want $150.00 for a new one. I may take the bike in and have a body work guy RESHAPE my "T" battery box to fit the CRAPPY TIRE unit. Comon!! $39.00!!!

There's just no SHAME!

Oh, and when parked, my bike is always on the battery tender. Always! Ummm except when I'm outta town on a multi day ride somewhere.

[autodocjr]

Interstate batteries I found had one of the best warranties out there.

[Scuba Steve]

I have had great luck with the Moto-Batt from Royal Distributing, less than 1/3 the cost of CT and they work better.

[absolute]

Yusa from snowcity mine was 89 bucks after tax (with 10% discount cuz i bought a bike from them before)

[GateKeeper]

If you can get a Crappy Tire battery to fit in your box, grab it $39.00 for trouble free rides. I have an odd size "T" battery for the Honda Tourer - they want $150.00 for a new one. I may take the bike in and have a body work guy RESHAPE my "T" battery box to fit the CRAPPY TIRE unit. Comon!! $39.00!!!

There's just no SHAME!

Oh, and when parked, my bike is always on the battery tender. Always! Ummm except when I'm outta town on a multi day ride somewhere.

Which battery is this for 39 bucks ? do you have a model number, or do I just ask for their cheapest bike battery ?

Thanks

[Scuba Steve]

Do not get one from there the right one is only $30 from royal why mess around CT batteries are crap. You need the right one but batteries are cheap.

[GateKeeper]

30 bucks from royal ?

these things seem to be getting cheaper and cheaper

last time I looked for a battery for my bike it was closer to 100 bucks....would be nice to get one for 30

1983 Suzuki GS750E, if you can point me in the right direction.....it would be appreciated

[Scuba Steve]

Look up you bike in their online catalog and get the Dura batt it is much cheaper than the Yuasa and works fine. Or you can call the store. I have had no trouble with these and the CT ones (especially the AGM's) seem to only last a couple of months.

[Scuba Steve]

Yours is part # 33-336 B14L-A2 $44.99 in the catalog.

[GateKeeper]

Thanks.......

Too bad we didn't talk about this early on today, I drove right past them on my way to London....

[jeffjones]

I have had great luck with the Moto-Batt from Royal Distributing, less than 1/3 the cost of CT and they work better.

+1

Grabbed that exact battery last year and haven't had a complant yet.

[mmmnaked]

Shorai

It'll cost you $200 but it has more cranking power and its about 1/3 the size of a standard battery. Good stuff.

[GateKeeper]

the yuas is not cheap....

BATTERY YTX14AHL-BS YUASA 103.99

[m.breen]

Just called the dealer and they quoted me $180.00 plus tax for a sportster battery...wtf.

[mikbusa]

Yuasa from Pete's Superbike. My battery was dead, and I use my cars as little as possible, so online purchase worked for me.

[beverage]

I'm due for a new battery too. The original one is still in my '06 SV / 60,000 kms, but it seems to be getting a little tired. Been reading great reviews of the MotoBatt batteries on various forums. Anyone know if the MotoBatt batteries are available locally?

[Rob MacLennan]

Interstate batteries I found had one of the best warranties out there.

I buy both security/backup batteries and motorcycle batteries from Interstate. Never had to use their warranty. Around $110.00 for my current bike's battery.

[DoubleJ]

Glen at Flying Squirrel