I had one but it didn't last too long. Yuasa are 50% off at the cyclegear I work at and they usually run the same sales at all of the stores, give them a call it can't hurt.

 

I manage an Advance Auto Parts and we sell the autocraft motorcycle batteries, and they've been great. I have very little trouble with them.
I've had very few returns or complaints from my customers. I'm going to put one in my wife's nighthawk this year. Their priced very well.

 

I run the MF Westco in my Miata and it has been a good battery, but i must say i have always had excellent service from the batteries with the funny name.

 

I have had a westco in my dual sport since 2003 and no issues whatsoever.

 

What's goin on fellas? I just went to CycleGear and wouldn't you know it, he put the wrong battery in the box and I didn't notice until I got home that they sold me a YTX14-BS battery instead of a YTX-12BS that is specified for the VTR. The only difference, besides 20 more CCA (200 vs 180) is that it sits up about 0.5 inches higher than the old battery, making it so the flap won't close. I'm guessing this battery would be an upgrade, but has anyone had experience with a battery like this? I can easily take the battery back to C.G. and get the right one, but maybe this is a blessing in disguise?

 

I installed the same battery you've got in my early '98. Took a razor knife to the pivoting cover and removed it. Spins over easier, starts quicker, and there's no clearance issues with my Sargent seat. I'd just leave it on your Battery Tender overnight before I rode it.

 

its a 14 amp hour instead of 12 amp hour

 

Believe it or not, I still have the OEM Yuasa in my 98 with 55,000+ miles. Maybe its that I keep it on a Battery Tender when it sits but I run a bunch of electronics (i.e., alarm, dual 55 watt driving lights, heated grips and vest, radar detector, rear running lights, neon auxiliary brake light and, of course, an LED volt meter). I did however heat sink paste and wire a finned heat sink/CPU fan combo to the V/R, and added an inlet cooling snorkel and holed the right side of the seat cowl for a NACA duct exhaust I fabed.

I have had an Energizer MF in the box (unfilled) for at least a couple years... don't want to say more and jinx the OEM (I covered its ears).

 

Dear Loco,

I saw your post of using YTX14-BS battery for your Honda Superhawk. How was your experience with it? I am in the similar boat. We don't have YTX12-BS battery available here in my city in India. But I can get YTX14-BS which are used by other bikes here. So before buying the same I need some inputs from you.

Regards.
Umesh

 

This is a 5 year old thread and the user LOCO has not been here since 2008. Your not going to get a response from him.

The YTX14-BD is 15mm taller, it will fit in the same space as the original battery mostly...just trim the cover.

Battery Family: Maintenance Free
Battery Type: YTX12-BS
Voltage: 12
Capacity: 10
Dimensions: 6" x 3.4375" x 5.125"
Weight: 7.5lbs.
Metric Dimensions: 150mm x 87mm x 130mm
MetricWeight: 3.4kg
Polarity:
Acid Volume: 0.6
Amps: 1.2
C.C.A.: 180

Battery Family: Maintenance Free
Battery Type: YTX14-BS
Voltage: 12
Capacity: 12
Dimensions: 6" x 3.4375" x 5.75"
Weight: 8.1lbs.
Metric Dimensions: 150mm x 87mm x 145mm
MetricWeight: 3.7kg
Polarity:
Acid Volume: 0.69
Amps: 1.4
C.C.A.: 200

 

Got a MF Westco in my Miata goning on 7 years now and still kicking. Batteries are batteries, they all are going to fail at some time or another. I buy the cheapest one i can find and maintain it by riding or good battery tender to get the most life.

 

Cheap battery's are hit and miss... You may get one constructed to the cheap minimum standards they have set, or you may get with that falls apart and internally fails. This will happen more often with lower quality manufactured products.. no surprise there.

Battery's that are marginal in CCA or AH for the application will fail more often when used in the far end of capability.

Battery's used in a high vibration environment (like a bike vs Car) will fail more often when they are cheaply built (cheap as in build, not $$)

Much of how well a lead acid battery will last is how it is placed into service and maintained... the rest is how it is used and how it was built.

 

I ran a westco in my 77BMW cafe, they always lasted a very long time but they are heavy. If they go dead they don't recharge well so I had to keep them on a trickle charger if I wasn't going to ride for a while.

 

Thank Marquez,

I am aware about the dimensions and not worried much about it. What I am concern of is the charging system? Will there be any impact on Charging system on bike due to high capacity battery? Also, will it get properly charged on the bike with the current charging system or do I need to change the same?

Would appreciate your and other battery experts advice for the same.

Regards,
Umesh

 

No issues with the charging system with this other battery, all other things being the same.

The VTR1000F has a known issue with the regulator/ rectifier and it's wiring. That issue should be addressed for either battery.