So, we had atypical temps this morning in Palm Beach, 40's F. Though I ride my bike weekly and never have issues with starting, this cold morning the battery just didn't have the omph to turn over the engine fast enough and eventually couldn't at all. A quick boost from a connected external battery charger got it started up. Rode for a couple hours, stopped a few times, no problem starting. This signals to me the need for a new battery.
So besides the OEM type of replacement, YTX12-BS, there seem to be other options like Lithium ion and stuff. Any cost worthy benefits of other batteries outside of the Yuasa?
I figure batteries are usually good for 4 or so years...have read about others here getting more than that from their OEM batteries. Replaced mine around the 4+ mark as harder starting gave me a red flag it was time to replace. Ended up getting a replacement at Walmart. Worked out fine but didn't keep the bike long enough to get a true read on how long it would last.
I replaced mine with a cheapie walmart batt. I heard horror stories about them but Its been 4 years and no problem yet, . I ride from may to nov then I store it with a harbor freight $7.00 tender charger through the winter.
What brand does Walmart carry? If it's the same as most other batteries and just re-branded then that may suffice.
I don't have lots of extra powered accessories on my bike, just a single USB port and a couple of small tail lights on my hard bags. The Headlamp and brakelamp are LED and the rest will be LED soon enough. I don't task my electrical system hard.
Walmart brand is ever-start made by Johnson controls, which makes batteries for GM, Ford, Chrysler and Interstate. They make them for big boxes like Wally World and some parts stores.
They don't make anything to last anymore and they double the price. Gotta love free market society.. Lol
Not sure how adventurous you are but I converted my lead acid battery over to an alkaline by replacing the acid with an alum/RO water mix Dec 2015. I didn't like any of the big box batteries and was just in an experimenting mood. It is an AGM battery. I had the classic bad battery symptoms that you are having.
It's still works great and I don't have any issues with it starting.
It is acid in the battery so you have to mindful of that when handling it and it at your own risk.
Baking soda will neutralize the acid, I dumped mine in a plastic 5 gallon bucket then dumped in a box of baking soda.
Not sure how adventurous you are but I converted my lead acid battery over to an alkaline by replacing the acid with an alum/RO water mix Dec 2015. I didn't like any of the big box batteries and was just in an experimenting mood. It is an AGM battery. I had the classic bad battery symptoms that you are having.
It's still works great and I don't have any issues with it starting.
It is acid in the battery so you have to mindful of that when handling it and it at your own risk.
Baking soda will neutralize the acid, I dumped mine in a plastic 5 gallon bucket then dumped in a box of baking soda.
Back when I got it it was a PITA to secure to the reflector but the supplier/owner of the lamps says they are direct fit now. He is very helpful so the customer support is excellent. The bulb works fantastic too, bright and whiter color.
Looks like the ever start could be made by any one of the big 3, this is from Consumer Reports:
Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names. Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts.
I used to use diehard/duralast in my cars until I started having issues with them. Outsourcing does something to the quality of a product and usually not in a good way.
Johnson Controls makes Duracell as well sold by Sam's Club. Bought one of those for my wife Honda Odyssey a couple of years ago and it seems to be holding up well. It's just a crap shoot with most parts nowadays.
I hear that, I purchased a couple of the Marine Deep Cycle batteries from Walmart for my boat, and they were complete junk. I got rid of that boat, and then a couple of years later bought another boat, and it had just one battery for the trolling motor and the starting. A definite no no. It was a Bass/Crappie rig all Lowe with all the bells and whistles real nice remote control trolling motor, 2 live wells etc. I decided to try the Duracell batteries from Batteries + which have stores all around town. I also bought a solar trickle charger off Amazon which I would move from one to the other about once every two weeks. I had the boat for 3 years and the batteries were always at 14+ V. and very strong even after three years, they seemed just as strong as when new, so I was very pleased. I sold the boat, so nothing to go on past 3 years. I believe the make the Duracell for cycles also, but haven't checked.
I just bought one off Amazon called Chrome, it had well over 100 5 star reviews, it is a gel battery. It also has a "bells and whistles" little LCD readout on the top for battery condition and output. The LCD circuit starts the battery countdown from date automatically on the warranty when you hook it up. I can't tell you anything about it's quality, or longevity, as it is still in the package and will remain there for 2 more months until warm weather when I start to ride. It was only about $40. 180cca. 10ah. Not a high output battery at all, but if the bike starts normal should be all I need.
I used to have an older Vulcan and the whole line were juice hogs. Others started replacing with AGM and saw better performance and life. The OEM was enough trouble that I installed a voltometer to keep an eye on it. I replaced with an AGM and it definitely helped on that bike. When I need to replace on this one, I'll do the same.
My wife and my 1800 Goldwings came stock with Yuasa AGM batteries, all of which gave at least four years of service and a couple up to six years. None failed catastrophically and gave plenty of warning before they died, much like yours is doing now. IMHO they provided excellent service for the price. If the battery on my C50 fails for any reason then I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with a Yuasa.
Goldwings have a small drain on the battery while sitting, clock, radio settings and other keep alive type drains. I suppose since there are computers on the C50 as well as a clock there must be a constant drain there as well. If left untended and not started the Goldwing batteries would drain below the level to start the bike after a month to five weeks. No idea what it might be on the C50. A battery tender or one of its competitors hooked to the battery during long periods of inactivity is a must to prolong battery life and ensure it will start.
I'm considering the Yuasa seriously. I never really have issue with starting since my bike doesn't sit long enough without use but getting a battery tender is not a bad idea and with the money I save on the Yuasa I could buy the tender and still come out ahead.
My OEM battery just died this last spring during a charity ride. A friend worked at m/c accessory store and grabbed me Yuasa so I could finish the ride. He said they werevery good batteries and I trust him.
Oddyssey doesn't make a direct fit battery for the C50 so GMan customizes the Odyssey PC535 battery to fit the C50, thus the $40 mark up from the stock Odyssey PC535 price.
So is it worth the extra $80 (battery plus shipping $170 total) for the GMan battery or is the $80 14 Ah AGM battery a good enough compromise?
Well that is cheap enough! I take it you flushed out all the sulfuric acid with water and baking soda completely then added the new mix. I haven't read the whole procedure on the link yet.
I did, I followed the instructions, they are pretty straight forward. There are other YouTube vids that say you don't have to flush but I did.
I have a brand new battery from a '69 Volkswagen Beetle I had that I used probably twice that I'm going to try to convert. May not work though because it never got any buildup on the plates which is what makes the alum mix works or so I think that's what I read.
I replaced the battery today with the MotoBatt. WOW, huge difference. Bike starts up strong now. Since I've only had the bike for less than a year I was use to what seems like sluggish starting now. Very pleased with this batteries performance.
The battery I took out was a black sealed battery which said Suzuki on it. It couldn't be the original 10 yr old bettery, could it?
I put a napa battery in mine and did great. had it in for four years with no problems starting in the cold. and it gets cold here in n.y. around november and i still ride untill they spread salt! Been known to scrape frost off the seat to go home from work... lol night worker if you dont already i highly suggest a battery tender. ive gotten 6 years out of my sled battery.
My neighbor still has the original battery in his 2006 C50. A battery tender helps a lot.
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