| Author | Message | ||
     Captainkirk |
...to buy a new battery for my '99 M2 Cyclone. I've always bought the OEM Buell battery in the past, but wondering if there is a better battery out there with all the new developments to come down the road. Any recommendations from you guys? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
~ Autozone, Duralast/Super Star Platinum+ are rated well and I have had good experience with them over the years. ~ Surprisingly, Harley Davidson batteries are rated well. Go with: ~ Absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology type. ~ A top brand, their highest rated battery. Usually called gold, or better Platinum. They have a longer warranty, and really do last longer. ~ Cheap batteries do not last long on a motorcycle. ~ For a battery half the size and twice the cost, a Lithium-Ion Battery. I use these on my S3 & RS1200 to allow for better airflow of hot air off the engine. Really only viable in warmer climates as they need time, under load, to heat up and provide enough amps to start the motor. Instructions explain that. In freezing weather, ignition to start with high beam on for 60 seconds. May have to tap the starter, then wait for 30 seconds. | ||
| _buelligan_ |
I agree with 89rs1200, I have lithium ion in all my stuff. I live in Texas so I hardly ever have to worry about it being too cold to start but I will say that being an M2 with very little parasitic power draw on the battery you won't have to recharge or put it on a tender as much as an AGM. Also shaves off around 12 pounds. | ||
| Falloutnl |
At the risk of sounding like a luddite, I'm not buying li-ion again anytime soon. Annoying as all hell when cold and I'm still not sure it's not part of the reason why my Ulysses stranded me while on holiday in Germany last year. | ||
| Mstrfrz |
Same boat, here. In TX too, so thinking about Lithium. Anybody have more input? Lot's of mixed reviews about quality and longevity. How many amps does an X1 need? Thanks | ||
| 34nineteen |
I have a Antigravity lithium battery in my S1 and it works great. St Paul sells a lithium battery on their website that should be fine for a Buell. The only issue with some lithium batteries is that you may need a specific charger for the lithium battery. I would recommend spending a little extra and getting a battery that doesnt require a lithium specific charger in case you ever need to put it on a charger when away from home, or have it in a shop where the techs use an incorrect charger on the battery (and potentially ruin it). My S1 sits more than it gets ridden and the Lithium battery is always ready to go. If the bike is ridden regularly, an AGM battery is probably fine, though. I also agree with 89Rs1200, buelligan and Falloutnl. I live in AZ, so cold isnt an issue. If I lived in a cold climate, I probably would have stuck to AGM. (Message edited by 34nineteen on May 21, 2021) | ||
| Mstrfrz |
which model, specifically, of battery do you have? Was the choice made on amps or size? Or just the mfg recommendation for that bike? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
~ Falloutnl comment is why Lithium Ion is not for people in cold climates! Battery will work in the cold if allowed to heat up for up to a minute under load, possibly by the addition of a tap on the starter in 15 second intervals to assist in the warmup. ~ We use them to allow more air away from the engine, through the frame. Really helps on the RS1200 because it has so much bodywork. ~ How much amperage is needed? Ballistic EVO2 8 cell, (101-003), is smaller than recommended but works great on S3 & RS1200 stock motors. Same battery for 9 years now! Dimensions: 112MM (L) x 60MM (W) x 103MM (H) Positive Terminal Location: Left Weight: 825 grams (1.81 lb) Voltage (Charged): 13.6V Amperage: 15 Pbeq A/H Cold Cranking Amps: 275 CCA Operating Environment: -18°C (0°F) to 60°C (140°F) ~ FYI: Nearly all Lithium Ion batters require a Lithium Ion charger because they charge at a higher voltage and different rate than lead acid. (Message edited by 89rs1200 on May 21, 2021) | ||
| Captainkirk |
As for me, I'm positive the 2 year layoff (tranny issues) and the cold Chicago winters killed this battery early. Last one I had (Buell/Harley OEM) lasted almost 9 years. We have cold, and plenty of it for at least 4 months straight so I'm reluctant to invest in a Lithium for that reason. And I learned years ago that a cheap battery costs twice as much when you replace it every 1-2 years. Plus the fact that the battery is quite visible on the M2 and the Harley battery is blacked out with no retarded hi-viz colors or decals...a little thing, but important to me. In the past I've always purchased them under the Buell P/N but apparently Buell St. Paul doesn't list one. Is the Sportster AGM battery the same part as was used in the tubers? (Message edited by captainkirk on May 21, 2021) | ||
| Victory |
The Yuasas have been hit and miss for me. The latest one has been very good but living most of the time on and off a tender. Even after too much time off the battery tender the battery is holding a great charge. Maybe around 5 years old or more. Cold Midwest winters. If shops cant move batterys off the shelves quickly then they have no business letting them rot dead before the victim buys it. | ||
| Stonemaster |
DONT USE LITHIUM IF YOU LIVE IN COOL OR COLD WEATHER ask me how I know, JUST DONT DO IT | ||
| Captainkirk |
So...all's well that ends well. With a surprise ending! I sprung for the Harley OEM AGM battery, simply because I knew it was gonna fit with no mumbo-jumbo and secret incantations. Easy on, easy off. It now lights off the minute you touch the starter button. So after I got the new one in and dutifully punched the date code tag, I had to look and see exactly when I had installed the one I just removed. I knew it had been a few years. And as I mentioned in my OP, I knew the 2 seasons off due to the tranny issues didn't help longevity.So when I saw the date tag on the battery was punched MY 9 I was surprised that an OEM battery would only last a few years...May of 2019? Then it hit me. The bike had been down in May of '19. I would not have replaced the battery on a dead bike. So that meant...May of 2009! Yep; this battery had served me well for 12 friggin' years! Including the 2 year layoff! In that light, the $140.00 I spent seems like a hell of a deal, don't ya think? The "shakedown flight" with the new battery was flawless. I am one happy camper tonight! | ||
| 99cyclone |
I've been using Big Crank batteries in my Buells for a while now. USA made. Look very similar to the H-D batteries, but not black. I think I have one in my S1W, M2, and 1125R at the moment. All are 3+ years old and going strong. Highly recommended. https://www.batterymart.com/c-big-crank-batteries. html (Message edited by 99cyclone on June 10, 2021) |
