MC battery at WALMART ?

[getsum]

Want to stop by today and pick one up--

WIll the ones they sell at WALMART work in my bike ?

or do I ned to go to the dealership and get ripped off ??

 

[Tarbash 27]

They work fine, my friend uses them in his bike.

 

[bonanzadave]

Want to stop by today and pick one up--

WIll the ones they sell at WALMART work in my bike ?

or do I ned to go to the dealership and get ripped off ??

Dont want to start bashing Wally World but some believe they are the ones ripping off your community. I cant believe the dealer could be that much more.

 

[wharrah]

sure, why not?

sure, why not?

Want to stop by today and pick one up--

WIll the ones they sell at WALMART work in my bike ?

or do I ned to go to the dealership and get ripped off ??

they work fine in both my GS and my Goldwing. They usually last between 2 and 3 years, usually 3. Its all I buy.

 

[andrewclaycomb]

I have one on my bike, and was warned by the previous owner that I should get another one because the quality was pretty bad on these. Somehow they are known to boil according to him.

 

[Bert Patterson]

I don't step inside a WalMart, but our local Farm & Fleet (FleetFarm some places) has a battery that works for me. It's about $25 an lasts a few years.

 

[Road_Clam]

Want to stop by today and pick one up--

WIll the ones they sell at WALMART work in my bike ?

or do I ned to go to the dealership and get ripped off ??

If you go to Wal-mary for a battery, you will get what you pay for. Those "Never-Start" Champion based batteries are total pieces of shizz. The tried and true Yuasa YB14 style battery is about $54, and worth every penny. I have the same Yuasa YB14 battery in my Polaris ATV (also same in my GS1100) and the battery is on it's 5 year of service........

 

[wharrah]

I don't step inside a WalMart, but our local Farm & Fleet (FleetFarm some places) has a battery that works for me. It's about $25 an lasts a few years.

I would LOVE to have either of those variants where I live. The CLOSEST Farm&Fleet we have from Cedar Rapids is 80 miles to the east, in Davenport.

I wish Walmart wasn't the way they are to their people and to the local economy, but, I have heard that most batteries (of all types, not just MC) along with Computer monitors and God knows what else in this world usually are found to be built by two or three companies on the planet and all resold with brand names... yes, Virginia, even SEARS DIEHARD INCLUDED. So, on an 'expendable' like this, I will buy cheap, take care of it and see how it goes.

I figure if I can REGULARLY get 3 years out of a battery on a bike, it doesn't owe me anything. I think most would agree that's reasonable.

Maybe I should go to my local Tractor Supply. They are on the EXTREME FAR SIDE OF TOWN, like 12 miles away... so I don't go there often. but, we're talking a motorcycle battery here. Even CAR batteries rarely last 5 years. 3 on a bike is good in my view.

Follow your conscience I guess.

 

[Jethro]

Got a BatteriesPlus location near you? They have Absorbed Glass Mat batteries (in other words the best you can possiblty buy) for $45. Sealed, higher resting voltage, stronger cranking power and last twice as long. It's almost foolish to buy anything else. Oh, and it's made buy Yuasa.

 

[Grandpa]

The battery in my 1100GK is a maintenance-free sealed unit. Got it from Motorcycle Batteries USA at http://www.motorcyclebatteriesusa.com/ . It's more money, but it's worth it to people like me, who ride a lot in all kinds of weather.

I replace the battery every two years, whether it needs to be replaced or not.

 

[bwringer]

When a warm day in December popped up, Al and I dutifully reported to our motorcycles for Brown County run.

Everything was fine on the ride to our meeting point, but the old battery finally gave up after I filled the tank.

I was planning to install an AGM battery from Batteries Plus in the GS, but early on a Sunday morning, my options were limited, and Wal*Mart was nearby...

After a bump start, $32, and some dangerous chemistry lab work in the parking lot, I was on the way with a fresh Wally World battery, which is still working fine a few months later. It was a great day of riding and worth every penny, too.

The Wally World battery will work fine for a year or two, just like 99% of the batteries out there. They're made by different suppliers depending on your region, but it's probably made by the same people who supply the farm stores and other department stores -- nobody ships batteries very far. In central Indiana, for example, almost all the batteries you find are made by Exide in their factory just down the road in Frankfort, and are actually pretty good quality. In other areas, quality can be a bit worse.

As far as old-fashioned liquid acid batteries, I have noticed that Yuasa brand batteries are higher quality and will last longer. If you're buying any other brand, you're probably getting the same thing you could get at the local Wally World.

But AGM batteries are definitely the way to go for just a few extra bucks.

Either way, you still have to keep it on a computer-controlled automatic charger during periods of inactivity. They sell a decent one for $17 at Wally World.

 

[tkent02]

Batteries Plus Rocks!!!

Batteries Plus Rocks!!!

Got a BatteriesPlus location near you? They have Absorbed Glass Mat batteries (in other words the best you can possiblty buy) for $45. Sealed, higher resting voltage, stronger cranking power and last twice as long. It's almost foolish to buy anything else. Oh, and it's made buy Yuasa.

I have two of these, one sealed, one regular style. Works great, lasts a long time.
The sealed one was under $50, the regular battery was about $25.
A quality battery for far less money than WalMart's junk, without supporting the evil chain.

 

[Guest]

Interstate batteries (for bikes) are made by Yuasa.

 

[brand new bike zealot]

I've had a Wal-mart battery in my bike (energizer) for a year now and it still works fine. It's withstood some serious abuse from a disfunctional regulator, so I'm not sure how long I'll get out of it. I use my local motorcycle shop for all my other purchases, no internet buys except for used ebay. Ethically I don't see a problem buying something like a battery there. That's about as much time I can spend in the place anyway. It smells funny in there and is jammed full of fat people.

 

[jknappsax]

Jethro, thanks for the tip!

Jethro, thanks for the tip!

I've been planning to use an AGM next time I need to replace a battery. Something nice about no spilling acid , or spraying little droplets when charging. But, the regular Yuasas can't be beat! In researching AGMs for marine use, they do show all the advantages you mentioned, but need to be charged while stored by a charger that can use the right charge curves and levels to maximize AGM battery life. And I've read that when they fail, it is more sudden than with conventional lead-acid batteries; not a whole more sudden, but not as much warning. And I DO NOT buy from Wal-Mart! They treated their people well when Sam Walton was alive, and started out with Sam's philosophy to sell only American-made goods! Once he passed away, the corporate types started buying Chinese-made goods, then having special models of standard products made in China. Currently Wal-Mart is responsible for about 40% of China's export trade. Wal-Mart: Destroying America's Main Streets One At A Time!

 

[Scud]

Sears DieHard for me, it has lasted for three years already and as long as I keep it on my Battery Tender Plus year round I have had no problems whatsoever.

Scud

 

[Boondocks]

Want to stop by today and pick one up--

WIll the ones they sell at WALMART work in my bike ?

or do I ned to go to the dealership and get ripped off ??

The Champion flooded batteries (with filler caps) sold there are made by Exide, a respected world-wide battery manufacturer. Exide batteries have good quality and value. If properly maintained they will give good service. Their premium 14L-A2 motorcycle battery is rated at a very high 220 CCA (cold cranking amps - a measure of starting energy available) compared to the same size generic 12N14-3A battery, which delivers only 150 CCA. I would stay away from the lower grade 12N14-3A type batteries. I believe that Wal-Mart sells the Champion 14L-A2.

AGM (sealed) batteries are better, require no maintenance, but cost more.

 

[Guest]

I run with a Diehard. No problems a year into it.

 

[twistedwankel]

Why not.

Why not.

I had good luck with the Autocraft 14LA2 from Advance Auto parts for a couple years made in China of course. That's why I try to stay out of Walmart as it's the 5th largest country in the world tradewise.

Now in 7 months I got two bad ones in a row. One lasted 7 months and the second one didn't last 24 hours as when fully charged died first try. It's the only brand they carry so the suzuki dealer would be the other option. Probably a better battery? I would go with a maintenance free given the option to avoid having to replace water in hot weather of FL.

Got another one for free that is good so far. Only 90 day warrantee so that sucks.

Cost $35 and there is a $6 core charge if you don't give them the old one.

Now that I have a voltmeter I don't sweat the electrical system like I used to. Batteries are strange...some can last for years. I have a 1.5v charger to keep it up for long storage periods of a month or more.

 

[jknappsax]

Parts Unlimited

Parts Unlimited

I don't know who made the Parts Unlimited conventional battery I have in my GS 750, but the sticker that the shop I bought it from wrote and stuck on it lists 2003 as the May I installed it. I charge it once in a while, but the 750 has a kickstarter, so if it's been sitting a couple of weeks, I just kick it to start it, and let it charge while riding. I also did the Electrex r/r conversion before Electrosport took them over here in the US. I hardwired the three phases and the + and gnd connections directly to the battery posts, so maybe that helped.