For those who would rather have as close to an OEM battery as possible, instead of going the tractor battery route, I found an OEM battery, readily available. Yuasa wasn't/isn't the only OEM supplier of batteries to the Japanese manufacturers. GS (Ztong Yee) also supplied them as well. Their part # C60-N24L-A is available from Apex Battery for $50.14 + shipping. Go to: www.apexbattery.com to order. It DOES NOT come with acid, but that's not an issue, just run to your local Napa, and pick up a bottle. Definitely the way to go if you want it to look 'correct'. Just reckoned I would pass along the info.
1975 RE5M 1973 Honda XL175K0 1995 Honda CR250R 1975 Can Am TNT 250 1979 Yamaha XT500F
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on lunch....
...and here's an expensive one. This is the agm style and claim they will post to Australia for AUD$129. That battery is $220 in the bike shop I just went to!
Not sure if that's right- shipping should be more. I might give it a go! My last battery was more than that for a conventional lead acid and lasted only a year...on float charge...(not happy!)
Just for info I found a bit of a test on some AGM absorbed glass mat batteries, including the motobatt brand I ordered.
Pretty interesting result for the motobatt- abused and still performed very well. They even charged them and left them for 8 months, after which the motobatt was still above 12 volts and started a 1400 intruder no problems.
I have a MotoBatt in my RE5, and I can vouch for their efficacy.
In fact, I run AGM batteries in all my bikes and I'm very impressed by their ability to hold a charge seemingly forever, and crank like forty-bastards in all conditions - I will never buy another lead-acid battery.
As I have a GT and a Katana (which share the exact same battery), I fitted the equivalent MotoBatt to the RE (so all my batteries are the same in case one fails) - I secure it to the back of the tray with a large zip-tie.
Last year in Bathurst I was experiencing starter-clutch slippage (wrong gearbox oil and cold conditions), the battery got a pretty severe workout and never let me down - I simply couldn't flatten it no matter how hard I tried...
Do yourself a favour and spend the extra on a MotoBatt or equivalent AGM battery.
It is patently false economy to buy a series of cheap lead-acid batteries (with all their other inherent nasty idiosyncrasies) instead of one AGM.
Last Edit: Aug 21, 2012 17:07:55 GMT -5 by pmcburney
That's funny, I was just reading a battery thread from last year where you said you have a motobatt- I was going to ask you how you rate it- you beat me to it! Good to see its doing well. Hope my Dutch supplier comes through at that price.
Perth, Western Oz 1975 RE5M x 2 Some dirt bikes for fun! Wish list: Just about everything in Jay Leno's garage
I considered a gel, have one in my Suzuki Swift, an Optima, it's eight years old and going strong, but until my new bike is sorted, I'll hold off on the expensive bits, might need the cash for more important things, if it has issues with the proper or somesuch. Perhaps not, it sounded very good when it fired up in the vid, will just have to see when it arrives.
1975 RE5M 1973 Honda XL175K0 1995 Honda CR250R 1975 Can Am TNT 250 1979 Yamaha XT500F
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on lunch....
Moin, yesterday I mounted a 30Ah Motobatt battery (120€ here). It is 166 to 126 to 175mm and the 175 could be a problem. I had to take out the rubberplates bottomside. With the 1mm thick protection plastikbox from RR it was possible to mount the battery.
Interesting to hear that they fit (just). Mine ended up costing another $30 for shipping- he obviously didn't think anyone would get one sent down to Oz from Holland! He did give me a bit of a discount on the shipping so that was good- I still get it $30 cheaper than the next cheapest deal here in Australia. I'll also report on it when I get it.
Perth, Western Oz 1975 RE5M x 2 Some dirt bikes for fun! Wish list: Just about everything in Jay Leno's garage
Post by martingt750 on May 12, 2013 4:27:47 GMT -5
Hi al, I also bought a MOTOBATT. I´m very satisfied with that "yellow brick". Due to low compression of my rotary, the engine needs high revs to fire up. Motobatt does the job perfectly, also after several months of not using the bike, cheers Martin
Member of the Board, Registrar and GT 750 Specialist in the German Wasserbueffel Club -WBC- T, GT, RE, TS, RV, RG
Went to my local battery shop. Told them I needed a solid battery for my bike which would sometimes sit for 2 months without touching it.
They gave me this no name solid battery which has been amazing! (Cost about 120 AUD) but its maintenance free and stores charge for a extremely long time (deep cycle) and just cranks and cranks.
The chap at the store said this battery is a little hidden secret and comes from the USA. I would love to share what the brand is but don't know myself as it has no markings at all.
i use motobatt's in most of my bikes they happily sit for 6 mths without charging and fire the bikes straight up motobatt mbtx30u is its number about £60