What to look for when buying a battery?

EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Karma :

They seem to range from £20 to £60 for my bike.
Most of them dont quote cold cranking amps. Also which design is the best, some are dry acid and others are different. Any particular brands?
Battery dimensions for mine must be up to (LxWxH)†: 135 x 80 x 160 (mm)

Thanks
____________________
To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

If you want an awesome battery that holds its charge and give you extra cold cranking amps then it has to be MotoBatt. I've got them on all of my bikes except the Street, but I'm going to replace the Street one with a MotoBatt as soon as I can afford it because the Street battery is well past its best.

I left the FZR with its MotoBatt battery over the winter and it fired up first time a couple of weeks ago. Fully charged.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

fatjames · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Karma :

I've got a MottoBat in my Virago, the start always seems nice and strong.
Got mine from Wemoto, you might find a cheaper one somewhere else.
Keep in mind, with these batteries, you don't need to buy acid or charge them first.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

If you decide to invest in a Gel type battery (probably the most expensive) then two things I know to note:

1. Make sure your Accumate/Optimate/whatever charger can handle gel types. Older ones can't and they're funny (as in can knacker) if wrong current amount used.

2. If a Gel battery is allowed to get flat then it's knackered. These cannot be recovered as might be the case from a lead/acid type.

Apart from that always top up with acid first and charge fully before use. Leave the top off. If you buy mail order/internet sometimes they're funny about sending acid out with battery. Others already come packaged with acid. So worth checking when ordering.

Do not use a car charger to charge the battery. Get a bike specific one or one with a bike option. Car chargers provide too many amps that can damage the cells in the battery.

After first charge check acid level and top up as needed. You can top up this time with any remaining acid. Subsequent to ups use distilled water.

Obviously if sealed battery then don't need to faff about with acid so just charge fully and use.

Voltage on a multimeter on newly charged battery should high 12v to 13v.

As to type if funds allow get a sealed. Less hassle. If you're feeling rich get a gel. Otherwise an old fashioned lead/acid one does the job.

Apology if above is preaching to the choir but might be useful for anyone who's not done it before.

Thumbs Up

____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy

mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

Dpends on how long you leave her stood collecting cobwebs.
Not sure what type the MotoBatt's are but if she's going to not get used for long periods then the Absorbed Glass Mat/Gel type batteries would definitely be worth the extra money, especially if you're not likely to implement a regular charge/discharge routine
____________________
Make mine a Corona.

EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Karma :

I just use a 500ma trickle charger, are these safe with gel batteries>?
____________________
To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Motobatt is Absorbed Glass Matt.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Karma :

supZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Karma :

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Yup - Motobatt "Quadflex" - excellent battery, best I've ever bought.
____________________
Space Is Deep

neatbik · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Karma :

Another vote for Motobatt here.
Do a search on here, there was a very informative thread.
Thumbs Up

EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Karma :

so just to confirm a motobatt will be fine with a trickle charger yes?
____________________
To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

LordShaftesbu... · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Karma :

I look for:

1. Is it the right size?
2. Does it say "Motobatt" on it?

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Karma :

went with the Motobatt, it was only £40 delivered, should be here mon/tues, bet my reg/rec and stator will thank me for it lol.
I was just getting concerned because when the bikes cold, you dont get much of a chance to start it before it kills the batt.
____________________
To shreds you say? Tss tss tss