What battery to buy?

[Joe Nardy]

I need to replace the battery in my '83 GS1100ED. The type is YB14L-A2. I don't need the sensor type, I disconnected the sensor long ago. Are there options for newer gel-type batteries I could try? Also any experiences, good or bad, you've had with particular brands of batteries would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Grandpa]

I got a sealed battery about a year ago from Motorcycle Batteries USA. Price was about $65 including shipping. No electrolyte to check or add. So far so good. http://www.motorcyclebatteriesusa.com/index.asp

 

[DMPLATT]

Joe, I was shocked when I happened to go to my local Sears and they had a Die Hard for my Gs for only - like $27 tax included - out the door.
I know Earl runs a Sealed battery and that would be my next choice, but at Sears - I couldn't pass it up.

Oh, and money and timing was an issue for me at the time.

 

[first timer]

give these guys a call see if they have a gel for you. i think i paid 50 for my gel on my 1k

http://www.illinoisbattery.com/

i can pick it up for you if you can wait a couple weeks till next time i see you.

-ryan

 

[Boondocks]

I recently bought a Lynn Vick WP14L-2 Sealed AGM Battery at Chaparral Motorsports for $43.99. I added a Battery Tender Plus for $34.97, five Hiflofiltro Oil Filters @$3.99 each (filters come with 2 O-Rings), and a rear axle clip for 1.69 to bring the total to $100.60. Orders over $100 ship free.

The battery was shipped fully charged, and it works fine. One thing that I did notice is that the packaging listed the battery as 12 AH. The battery configuration chart that I used to order this battery shows a WP14L-2 as being 14AH with 190 CCA. It's a size match for the YB14L-A2. I'm through with flooded batteries, no matter the price. Not ever having to check the electrolyte, greater reliability and longer battery life is worth the extra price to me.

 

[bwringer]

I also keep meaning to get a sealed (AGM, Absorbed Glass Mat) battery, but somehow I always end up grabbing one locally.

I know several other folks here have had good luck with AGM batteries. I think it would be nice not to have to deal with a vent tube and the potential for the associated corrosion.

WestCo is a well respected brand:
http://westcobattery.com/battery_page.php?bid=14&vid=-1
$67.95 with free shipping

I've ordered other stuff from BatteryMart.com and been happy. Their Big Crank AGM battery is $50 plus $8 UPS shipping:
http://www.batterymart.com

Here's a sealed Yuasa for $64.95, with free shipping:
http://www.motorcyclebatteriesusa.com/battery-details.asp?battery=271

 

[earlfor]

Thats the same battery size I use in the 1150E. I put a sealed, maintenance free battery in the bike about 3 years ago and its still doing fine (holding around 12.9v). I'll never go back to the hassle of adding water and spills. No drain tube either. I think I paid about $65 for it. Go for it, you wont be sorry.

Earl

I need to replace the battery in my '83 GS1100ED. The type is YB14L-A2. I don't need the sensor type, I disconnected the sensor long ago. Are there options for newer gel-type batteries I could try? Also any experiences, good or bad, you've had with particular brands of batteries would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

I bought a new conventional battery for mine a few months ago $32.99 at wall Mart

 

[AOD]

Joe, maybe there's a separate post on it, but how do you remove the sensor thing? My light is on...always...

~Adam

 

[Planecrazy]

Joe, when you decide let me know. My battery (YB14L-A2) is completely dead, so maybe we'll order together and save some $$.

Regards,

 

[shortlid]

My Yusa has saved me from walking many times. I would stick with quality!!

 

[mlaalm]

Nice thread, getting ready to go with a Gel Battery in my 11fiddy

 

[Planecrazy]

So what are you thinking, Joe? ...and do you want to order together and try to save a few bucks?

See ya this weekend,

 

[Joe Nardy]

So what are you thinking, Joe? ...and do you want to order together and try to save a few bucks?

See ya this weekend,

After listening to opinions and gathering info I went with the $30 Interstate brand from Sam's Club. Gel types run $60-$65 and don't last twice as long as standard types. Since I run PODs it is very easy to check and fill my battery so maintenance isn't much of an issue. My bikes are garage kept and I charge the batteries before storage and again in spring. I just couldn't justify twice the cost.

Joe

 

[earlfor]

I removed the housing from the instrument cluster and removed the light bulb for the sensor.

Earl

Joe, maybe there's a separate post on it, but how do you remove the sensor thing? My light is on...always...

~Adam

 

[earlfor]

Charging rate and electrical system condition have much more to do with battery life than the type of battery. I've had the same sealed gel battery in the 1150 for about 3 1/2 years.

Earl

After listening to opinions and gathering info I went with the $30 Interstate brand from Sam's Club. Gel types run $60-$65 and don't last twice as long as standard types. Since I run PODs it is very easy to check and fill my battery so maintenance isn't much of an issue. My bikes are garage kept and I charge the batteries before storage and again in spring. I just couldn't justify twice the cost.

Joe

 

[Joe Nardy]

Joe, when you decide let me know. My battery (YB14L-A2) is completely dead, so maybe we'll order together and save some $$.

Regards,

Sorry, Steve. I didn't see this post until today. For what it's worth, Sam's Club had my battery in stock. Wal-Mart did too but it was a few bucks more and some no-name brand (Look closely and you'll see it is made by Exide).

Joe

 

[kalessin]

By the by, Sears Die-Hard motorcycle batteries are made by Yuasa. $34.99 for the YB14L-A2 for my GS1100GL, but everything seems to be more expensive around Boston.

 

[Planecrazy]

Bought my last battery from Sam's (mid summer last year), and will probably do it again ... however I just discovered that for some reason three of my six cells are low or dry, so I'll refill and see if the battery takes a charge. I see no reason why it shouldn't, but I definitely have to investigate why they lost fluid in the first place.

I forgot to unplug the fairing at the end of the season, so the phantom power for the radio killed it, but I thought the trickle charger would bring it back. I kind of doubt it would boil off the fluid, but who knows... I'll let you know what happens... By the way, I have no idea if the battery boiled off while I was riding or after I plugged in the trickle charger.

Update 3/28 ... I took another look (with a bright flashlight this time) and discovered that my battery DID have fluid in all three of the chambers that I originally thought had boiled off, so I'm back to having just a dead batter with no mystery to solve...

Regards,

 

[RobGS850L]

I'm with Earl. I've got 2 yrs. on my jelly filled battery and no probs.