How long does a battery last?

[DanGSX]

All 3 if our gsx1400's
2 x K6's
1 x K5
All still running on thier original batteries .
I'm not sure how much longer they'll last but when they need replaced I'll be fitting the original yusa batteries again .

I have a K2. Think I'll trust what others have been saying and return the Motobatt and opt for a Yuasa YTX14H-BS - I think they fit.

[seth]

That sounds right
There are cheaper options but I'll be fitting what they came with .
If yours is a K2 I have between 3 and 4 years before replacing ours then

[DanGSX]

That sounds right
There are cheaper options but I'll be fitting what they came with .
If yours is a K2 I have between 3 and 4 years before replacing ours then

To be honest mate, I don't actually need to replace it. It's just that on cold mornings, it can cut out and only fire up on the 2nd attempt. NEVER does this on milder mornings, plus the fact I have no idea how old this battery is as it had previous owners - Might as well replace anyway, since we're going into Winter.

Multimeter readings were 14v idling, 12.4v resting - Probably can get away with it for longer.

[Andre]

@DanGSX Sounds like it needs to be recharged, maybe replaced depending on how it responds to recharging.

From the Service Manual:

Using multi circuit tester, measure the battery voltage. The tester
should indicate more than 12.5 – 12.6V (DC) as shown in the
Fig. If the battery voltage is lower than the specification, charge
the battery with a battery charger. (Refer to the recharging op-
eration)

• After recharging, wait for more than 30 minutes and check the
battery voltage with a multi circuit tester.
• If the battery voltage is less than the 12.5V, recharge the bat-
tery again.
• If battery voltage is still less than 12.5V, after recharging, re-
place the battery with a new one.
• When the motorcycle is not used for a long period, check the
battery every 1 month to prevent the battery discharge.

[BbigMmac]

Replaced my K2`s battery in 2016, frst owner said it was still the original. Last two years had to use the Optimate to keep it in shape. Changed it for a Yuasa again, no problems since.

[froudy]

Icy cold winters and not riding will kill any battery, even a Yuasa if not kept on an Optimate.

[BbigMmac]

Icy cold winters and not riding will kill any battery, even a Yuasa if not kept on an Optimate.

Don`t have could winters here but am guilty of not riding during the winter i am afraid. As soon as they start using salt one the roads here the bike goes into hibernation mode.

[Hooli]

My original Yuasa died in about 2012 at 80-90k so it'd had a good innings. Lived outside & used all year for most of that, it'd never seen a charger/optimate/etc.

I put another Yuasa in so that should last till about 2021?

[Mick_J]

They dont last very long if a Motobatt. I found that out.

Hi all,

I'm about to change my 14's battery, not sure how long the current one has been on. Sometimes takes two attempts to start on the colder mornings.

I ordered one of these Motobatts (MBTX12U) last night but have been reading about the unreliability of them (I know, bit late now). Perhaps I should return it when delivered and instead go for a Yuasa?

I've only ever used Yuasa, so I know how good they are, it's just that I thought with the Motobatt being AGM, it would be more suitable for me since the bike is outside all the time in the cold.

Motobatt quality control seems to be a bit hit and miss, (they are Chinese after all).  Some are brilliant and last a good time other just fail after a short life, you pays your money etc.  I always use yuasa and can recommend the YTX14H-bs high performance type, 240cca (fits all my bikes as well).

[GEORGE]

My K5 original battery lasted 13 years.
I replace it with a YUASSA YTX-B14.

[Tony Nitrous]

I've always done well with the original OEM YUASA batteries that came with the bike.

Less so with buying "aftermarket" Yuasa batteries.

Replacement Yuasa's can come from several different places around the world and some (for me) don't last like the factory fitted ones.



In a similar (reversed) way I had a new bike fitted with (Jap) Dunlop Qualifiers from the factory. Wasn't a fan, neither were some other owners. These were replaced with an almost identical tyre, same size, name, model etc etc, except reading the small print one was 3 ply, one was 4, and the aftermarket ones were made in the USA. A very different tyre that without being told, would look like a indentical replacement.


I'm not convinced replacement batteries are all as good as the originals.