Hiya guys, I've been away for a while but have been back a bit lately under the radar to read up on the infamous 6th gen electrical issues as I recently discovered some crispy connections.
Based on this research I have since replaced both my Stator and Rectifier/Regulator with Rick's motorsports parts and have also checked the ganged ground plug on the LH side mentioned by Auspanol et al (which appears fine). And more than likely will be having a look at and/or regrounding the grounding straps associated therewith.
I was hoping to avoid the added bite of having to replace my battery too as the unit I have now was new as of 2 years ago; when of course I ignorantly just thougt my electrical problems were battery related. Unfortunately though as a result of my perhaps willful ignorance I fear my present battery has been cooked and will need to be replaced after all.
Herein lies my question; What battery should I get?
I've looked around here, but have been unable to locate any substantive posts/threads really addressing this topic. The original battery (a Japanese Yuasa YTZ12S MF) lasted from the day I picked it up at the dealer in '03 until Spring '11 and I am inclined to go this route again however it seems there is even more than one option here as well in that there are apparently Chinese vs Japanese made batteries (a difference in the lead quality I am told - Recycled vs New respectively) as well as a notion I came across somewhere here of perhaps using the next model size up (Yuasa YTZ14?) with specs for the bigger and amp hungrier ST1300. Or should I be looking cheaper? I really can't speak too badly about the Westco battery I got two years ago, as I assume it only met it's untimely demise while trying to fill in the gap of my compromised electrical system.
I've perused a page linked from here on Boulevardowners.com quaintly entitled Texas Toast which torture tested a number of batteries and even read another linked article on the Yuasa site which was extremely informative. I read a thread started by VFRBenny which led me to MotoBatt and I've also wandered into the discussion here regarding Lithium Ion batteries, which don't seem to be a very good fit for me considering my location here in the chilly Northeast.
But what I could really use from you folks is what I have come to rely on here the most over the years-- straightforward feedback from people in the same boat as me, mixed in with occasional hyperbole and unusually well researched opinion. (That's a compliment btw.)
I only run the fz1/st1300 AGM batteries, The yuasa is the best, but more expensive , presently running the scorpion Agm, but cheesy nuts and no nut retainers like the yuasa. But I use the yuasa nuts, the lack of nut retainers, sucks but doable.
So far the scorpion has done very well other wise, I think I paid about $80. The Yuasa is around $120 online, so quite a bit of savings, right now I would lean towards another scorpion, as Ive had no real performance issues.
BTW the FZ1/st1300 battery is the one the vfr should have came with. Factory sealed only, and you'll not have to worry about leakage or venting issues.
The days of the old heavy lead acid battery are number... smart money
is on the new light weight Lithium Iron battery like Shorai... not
only is it 5lbs lighter but doesn't require trickle charging and will
not sulfate... I also recommend Shorai's balance charger because it as
two modes one for storage and one for charging...
Thanks very much guys, I knew I could count on you. It seems the Lithium Ion are very popular, and I can see why considering the weight etc. but I've also noticed that proponents tend to be residents of warmer climates like BusyLittleShop, Rush2112 and VFR4Lee and the concern I had about the cold was echoed by VFR4Lee above and here by Mello Dude some time ago. Considering that we had a frost warning just last night here in NH with a forecasted 35F overnight and then up to 80F today I am a bit wary of this type for me.
Spud786, thank you also for your response, I am quite sure of the model that came in my bike originally being the Japanese Yuasa YTZ12S MF as it's currently sitting on my coffee table mocking me as I type. And while it lasted a good long stretch in the bike it of course was in a brand-spanking-new bike then and I suppose that is frankly the ideal situation for any battery. Conversely the Westco that replaced it lasted only two years (if that) but I am certain the charging system was most likely compromised by then so it's also hard to judge. The Scorpion brand you mentioned was also tested in the Texas Toast article I refer to earlier in this post and seemed adequate though compared to the MotoBatt brand also included there, it was found wanting. But then again that was 3 years ago and testing completely different battery model numbers than would eventually end up in my ride. Though as you say the price on the Scorpion is nice.
Which brings me to my next concern; I'm cheap! Or more political correctly; current economic factors compel me not to pay anymore than is absolutely necessary. While I'd love to say that money is no object; it is of course, esp. considering that I just payed out for the new Stator and R/R. So I'm thinking a pretty basic Lead/Acid variety would suit me and given the choices I am leaning towards this one considering the Texas Toast article and the two year (no hassle) warranty but the CCA's seem a bit on on the low side and I am curious as to anyone else's experience with this battery in the 6th gen. I should also mention that I have a Jastek Powerlet that I run a phone charger and a radar detector out of occasionally so perhaps more CCA's would be better.
And seeing how we're still into the beginning of riding season I thought this topic might appeal to others who are also just pulling their bikes out of mothballs this year only to discover croaked batteries so please let us all know what your experience has been and maybe we can get some sort of aggregate opinion.
With the st1300 agm's, your getting a afew more cca's and also reserve power, just a much better battery overall. I ran a Yuasa st1330 battery before this scorpion.
I mentioned the nuts on the scorpion, but other than smwapping to the yuasa nut and screws, the battery has been Perfect and stout, its about 2 years old. I got about 45,000 mile out of my last Yuasa fz1/st1300 agm battery, till i noticed it was beginning to weaken and get flakey. Im looking for the same milege and or time as the yuasa, is what really will determine whether or not I get another scorpion. But I cant complain performance wise, its been trouble free.
The Texas Toast link was provided by me and I still have a Motobatt in my 06 VFR. I live in NYC and have similar weather (though probably not as cold as NH but pretty close) and still have no complaints. The bike sits covered outdoors and runs a Scorpio alarm from 10:00 p.m. to about 6:30 a.m. every night and sometimes, like recently, goes a week or two or more without being started. But when I do she turns right over. So from my experience it is a solid battery that more than holds a charge during cold weather and infrequent start. Or as the review saying goes, Yes I would recommend to a friend.
The Yuasa is definitely fix-it-and-forget-it. It fires up the VFR crisply every time, even in 30F weather. If you want to save some money, you might want to try the Motocross brand... it's made by Yuasa and is supposedly identical to the Yuasa product. A Motocross YTZ12S is $105 vs. $167 for the Yuasa at Rocky Mountain Motorsports. The Yuasa might cost 3x as much as a cheap battery but it'll last at least three times as long and deliver excellent performance, too.
End of thread · 10 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 28 Oct 2015