[longhaul747]

Today I replaced the stock battery with a Maintenance Free battery from Yuasa. Its a YTX14AHL and its sized exactly the same as the stock battery so no additional modifications needed.

Nothing was wrong with my stock battery being brand new but I decided to change out the stock lead acid battery with a sealed AGM unit anyway. They hold a charge better and last much longer. You also don't have to worry about acid leaking out and damaging the area around the battery. The battery + and - connections also should stay corrosion free. Last but not least you don't have to keep them topped off with distilled water because they are completely sealed. Overall a much better deal and worth the $70. I did the same thing with my Concours and KLR650 when new. They both came with the old school lead acid serviceable batteries as well.

 

[2dogs]

I've got the same one ready for installation in the spring. Looks like a quality battery.
The stocker was leaking a bit and performing half-heartedly.

2dogs

 

[fog]

BTW Sealed, and Maintenance free, are good Ideas, but are still lead acid type batteries. Battery tech is lagging way behind the rest of the world even the newest Lithium Polymer types are old tech. I think Leonardo Da Vinchi used lead acid Batteries.

FOG

 

[2dogs]

Yes, I hear you Fog. I'll be pleasantly surprised if it lasts longer than the stock battery. Sometimes there isn't much new under the sun.

2dogs

 

[longhaul747]

In my experience the maintenance free batteries last twice as long as regular maintenance style batteries. The best I have done on a maintenance battery is about 4 years but I have had Maintenance free batteries last 6 to 8 years. This might be the exception rather then the rule but on average you will get much more life out of a maintenance free battery. Especially when you use a Battery Tender type charger.

I think the biggest headache with the old school batteries is they always seem to leak. As they charge they put out a gas that is likely corrosive. This is why the battery terminals eventually corrode. I have helped friends rebuild older motorcycles and the area around the battery box was just trashed even though the battery in it was full.

 

[knightslugger]

What i like about VRLA batteries is that the Self Discharge rate is dramatically less than that of conventional batteries. Makes for good indoor storage in the winter.

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/TechMan.pdf

Take a read on page 24.  It talks all about the VRLA batteries.  Good stuff!  Page 30 is where it speaks of the self discharge rate time vs. temperature.

 

[AntiAndy]

when i bought my bike used the battery was junk, I was going to buy a MF batt, but couldnt find one that day, got impatient and bought a regular battery.

funny thing is, after about 10 months of riding i just recently took out the battery to check the levels and top it off if need be, well, the levels were perfect...i didnt even crack the seal on the distilled water, still sittin in my garage.

 

[maverick9611]

In my experience the maintenance free batteries last twice as long as regular maintenance style batteries. The best I have done on a maintenance battery is about 4 years but I have had Maintenance free batteries last 6 to 8 years. This might be the exception rather then the rule but on average you will get much more life out of a maintenance free battery. Especially when you use a Battery Tender type charger.

I think the biggest headache with the old school batteries is they always seem to leak. As they charge they put out a gas that is likely corrosive. This is why the battery terminals eventually corrode. I have helped friends rebuild older motorcycles and the area around the battery box was just trashed even though the battery in it was full.

longhual rtv a penny to the positive terminal or very close(close enuff to share the moisture with the terminal)this will be your sacrificial anode your zinc penny will hate u for it!!!i coat the terminal with vaseline to boot

 

[Nick D]

Has anyone tried a gel battery? Does anyone know if one is made for the EX ? I know they make some that's close for John Deere lawn mowers , Gators and fourwheelers , and tractors. But I'm wondering if the make on specifically for our bikes.

Chopper Charles is sporting one, but it's not exactly in the stock location. You could use his as a reference, though.

I think Leonardo Da Vinchi used lead acid Batteries.

FOG

That sounds about right.

 

[knightslugger]

At the basics, yeah... the same. However the designs and efficiencies of VRLA type batteries are pretty shiznit. Def. an improvement on the conventional LA battery.

 

[Nick D]

I've got the best kind of battery in my KZ - guaranteed for life . All I've got to do is walk in with the old one and I walk out with a new one, good times.

 

[knightslugger]

That is a definite advantage of Gel vs. VRLA. However i've seen no performance data on Gel batteries. I'd lie to learn more about them.

 

[Mad Matt]

Gel's seem to have lower CCA's than other batteries. I've used a few on different things and another feature is that they do not handle deep discharge too well. I'd ususally end up switching out the gel for a dry powder sealed lead acid battery like an Odyssey (from Hawker Energy). They can be mounted in any position except upside down.

 

[Smoky]

the fumes comming out is hydrogen gas.