Superbike Batteries

[Varaman]

Hey folks, I am trying to get a replacement battery for my Varadero. The battery I need is YUASA YTX20A-BS. I have contacted Performance Racing and Ultimate Auto Impex in Mumbai and they do not stock this battery. Any tips on how /where I can get it? Will be grateful for any help.

[ald]

Hey Varaman

These people keep the battery http://www.bachoomotors.com/batteries.htm

[gthang]

Originally Posted by Varaman

Hey folks, I am trying to get a replacement battery for my Varadero. The battery I need is YUASA YTX20A-BS. I have contacted Performance Racing and Ultimate Auto Impex in Mumbai and they do not stock this battery. Any tips on how /where I can get it? Will be grateful for any help.

Hi there,

I was recently on the lookout for a battery (YTX12BS), and instead of ordering from planetdsg.com, or through my mechanic's contact in Bangalore, I decided to try something different.

I had been reading about Lithium Ion batteries and their advantages, and went ahead and ordered a Ballistic Evo 8 cell equivalent battery.

These are two of the several brands out there:

http://www.ballisticparts.com/
http://www.shoraipower.com/default.aspx

Shorai comes in OE size, whereas the Ballistic is smaller, so either you can use the space for something else, like a horn, or use the provided foam to fit. You can save about 3-4 kilos in weight with these.

They are safe for air shipment, so you can order it from ebay, or any store selling them. With shipping and taxes, comes to approx. Rs10k, which is what you would pay for a regular battery anyways.

Cheers

Ride Safe.

P.S. Just checked for your size,
http://www.shoraipower.com/s-456158-VTX1800-All.aspx
http://www.ballisticparts.com/produc...s/16cellHD.php

Looks like it is heavy duty and little more expensive than the YTX12. Still worth a try, I would imagine.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by ald

Hey Varaman, These people keep the battery http://www.bachoomotors.com/batteries.htm

My close friend recently bought a battery from Bachoo Motors for his ninja 250R and he had problems with it. As per my friend, Bachoo Motors gets these batteries via grey market imports and hence there is no warranty whatsoever that is offered with these batteries.

The brand new battery was dead and when it was left for charging it burst/leaked. My friend had to buy another piece from this shop for a discounted rate, the "old" battery was not compensated for.

Safest option is to go with what gthang has suggested in his post.

[Haroon]

Fully agree with gthang. I recently saw the Shorai Li battery in the US and was surprised to notice its weight. Probably weighs something similar to the weight of a normal desktop computer speaker...

Since you are looking at a 20amps battery, I think Yuasa may stock these batteries as they also have application in UPS systems (18, 19 & 20 amps). Infact when I was looking for a 19amp battery in Saudi for my old R1100RT bike, without much hope I went with my old battery to the Yuasa distributor and they checked the size & gave me an exact spec battery. Since this is not a regular use battery (19amps), out of curiosity I asked them what else application does it have and he told me they sell for UPS systems. So there is a chance it may be available. That battery lasted me more than 4 years with no problems. Just that I used to disconnect the battery whenever not using the bike for anything from 2-3 weeks to 2-3 months. When I returned I just plugged the charger for 5-6 hours and next day it started at first go.

You can ship GEL as well as Lithium batteries by plane so it can be ordered from US. In GEL one of the best is Odyssey, while the Shorai will save you a lot on the weight.

BTW, someone I know in bangalore brought a Odyssey battery for his bike in his 'checked-in' baggage from US.

[Varaman]

Mod Note : Please use the EDIT or MULTI-QUOTE buttons instead of typing one post after another on the SAME THREAD!

Ald, bachoo motors has YTX20L-BS and not YTX20A-BS... thanks anyway

gthang, thanks a million - this is pretty eye-opening information I will probably order the shorai or the ballistic one for my bike.

[gthang]

Originally Posted by Varaman

I will probably order the shorai or the ballistic one for my bike.

Hi there. Glad I could help. Have a read of this article below, it might help you decide which one to choose.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-battery.htm

Cheers

Ride Safe.

[gthang]

Hi all,

Since this thread has been converted to a generic Superbike Battery thread, thought I would put down 2 more paisa that's been jingling in my pocket

The thread started, I presume, because of Varaman's need for a YTX20A Battery. Most normal Superbikes use YTX12 and are relatively easy to get in India. Now, Varaman, could technically use a YTX20L that is available in India, but the difference is the Terminal Position. The A models have negative terminals on the RIGHT side.

Now, I can predict some Harley owners going to be in the same situation soon. Harley also uses reverse polarity terminal batteries. Hopefully the Stealers will have them in stock, and not too much a premium.

Now, I faced similiar situation with my HD, and what I learned is that it's not a big deal. All I did was get some new longer battery cables, and routed them around to fit a regular battery.

So, Varaman, if you are itching to ride, and dont want to wait for the Li battery, you could run down to DSG, get the YTX20L they have in stock, get some new battery cable, cut to new length, crimp on some terminal ends, and away you go. (Please double check battery dimensions in case I am wrong).

Cheers

Ride Safe.

[Varaman]

Originally Posted by gthang

..
I had been reading about Lithium Ion batteries and their advantages, and went ahead and ordered a Ballistic Evo 8 cell equivalent battery...

Originally Posted by Haroon

Fully agree with gthang. I recently saw the Shorai Li battery in the US and was surprised to notice its weight. ...

Originally Posted by gthang

Since this thread has been converted to a generic Superbike Battery thread, thought I would put down 2 more paisa that's been jingling in my pocket...

gthang, unfortunately the YTX20L is too large to fit in the battery compartment... else I would have opted for it... it is available at Ultimate Auto Impex for 11k. I am in no hurry for the replacement since the present battery is working fine for now; but it is getting on in age (Jan 2008 installed) and I expect it will conk out soon. Have been preserving and extending its life by disconnecting it when not in use for the rains and by using a trickle charger. It has served me well But now I think I will try out the Shorai option. Did you pay Customs duty when you imported your LFP battery?

[gthang]

Originally Posted by Varaman

Did you pay Customs duty when you imported your LFP battery?

Yes. I had to pay tax. I had some other items bringing total to ~$350 + $50 for shipping, and I was charged ~Rs5000. My 8 cell Ballistic was only $160, though. If I had ordered just that, probably would have come in without taxes.

But ordering online from the US has become so easy now, I even order my Underwear (An underwear that does wonders for motorcycle touring) online now. (Thanks Haroon).

Cheers

Ride Safe

[manson]

Varaman, I would have ideally suggested to check with motorbike batteries with Bachoo. Since you have already done that, look up MDS batter store on www.ebay.co.uk. Their prices are reasonable and shipping from UK should be considerably cheaper compared to the US.

[Varaman]

Originally Posted by manson

Varaman, I would have ideally suggested to check with motorbike batteries with Bachoo. Since you have already done that, look up MDS batter store on www.ebay.co.uk. Their prices are reasonable and shipping from UK should be considerably cheaper compared to the US.

Bachoo does not have this specific battery... they have YTX20L-BS, which is too large to fit into my battery case... thanks for the link, will check with them

Originally Posted by Varaman

Bachoo does not have this specific battery... they have YTX20L-BS, which is too large to fit into my battery case... thanks for the link, will check with them

Checked, they don't ship to India

[Varaman]

Originally Posted by gthang

Yes. I had to pay tax. I had some other items bringing total to ~$350 + $50 for shipping, and I was charged ~Rs5000. My 8 cell Ballistic was only $160, though. If I had ordered just that, probably would have come in without taxes.

But ordering online from the US has become so easy now, I even order my Underwear (An underwear that does wonders for motorcycle touring) online now. (Thanks Haroon).

Cheers

Ride Safe

Hey! Just wanted to say THANKS! My Shorai Lithium-Fe battery arrived on the 18th (had placed the online order on the 15th and asked for Fedex Priority service)... it is amazingly light and the finish is superlative.

[gthang]

Originally Posted by Varaman

Hey! Just wanted to say THANKS! My Shorai Lithium-Fe battery arrived on the 18th (had placed the online order on the 15th and asked for Fedex Priority service)... it is amazingly light and the finish is superlative.

Hey, you're welcome. Glad you liked the product.

Have you tried it on the bike yet? I have noticed considerably stronger cranking and quicker starts on the bike that I have the Li battery on.

Kind of waiting for the other bike batteries to die out to replace with Li.

Cheers

Ride Safe.

[Varaman]

Originally Posted by gthang

Hey, you're welcome. Glad you liked the product.

Have you tried it on the bike yet? I have noticed considerably stronger cranking and quicker starts on the bike that I have the Li battery on.

Kind of waiting for the other bike batteries to die out to replace with Li.

Cheers

Ride Safe.

Not yet fitted on the bike since the old battery is still cranking fine ...