New Battery Recommendations

Hey gang,

I have an old Batteries Plus battery in the girl and I wanted something potentially with a high CCA, made in the USA and won't just drain to nothing after sitting for a month. Perhaps I ask too much, and if so, please tell me to move along. But any recommendations would be appreciated as it's a pain to jump the poor girl so early in the morn in the cold. We're both doing our best! Thanks!

I would buy OEM battery---ride everyday and this = no trouble for the 2-3 year life of battery. AND no electric sucking accessories. With no kick starter/fuel injection/ ability to bump start and bike is old fresh battery pays!

It's worth investing in one of those small battery keeping jump starters if you worry about batteries.
And good luck with finding anything like a battery made in the west these days...

OEM Yuasa batteries are the best. However other decent batteries can be had for half the price. I just keep mine connected to an Oxford Optimiser trickle charger through the winter months as if the Swing is left standing for a week or so between rides in my cold lean to, the battery will drain it’s charge as with most motorcycle batteries.

I am cheap... Yuasa generally cost over $100.00 USD. Nothing wrong with them but I have used and will continue to use:
https://www.batterysharks.com/Yuasa-YTZ12S-p/YTZ12S_M12-11-210-K.htm?gclid=CjwKCAjwxILdBRBqEiwAHL2R8xPha3cBRPxJ6DyOJ2fsUA-DYTbGZdipcSrpzJBGm3nQpcN-N6vsihoCnKEQAvD_BwE

Been using them for years with no problems and have new ones in both my Wing and my Forza. Living in the desert I generally replace them at 2-3 year intervals. Actually I could replace once a year and still be cheaper than OEM!

My Forza is in the frozen north atm but is on a Battery Tender and should be fine. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Historically the oem Yuasa batteries that came with bikes from Japan where the best quality, IOW JDM products, 5-10yrs life was not uncommon, nowdays not so much, US made Yuasa batteries IME are no better than top quality offerings from BBAP(Big Box Auto Parts) or batteries plus, etc. and easier to get+warranty as they are close by. IAC there's some parasitic battery drain on the SW600 from clock/odometer/etc.(as most newer vehicles) plus batteries will naturally loose charge over time, a trickle charger is the easiest solution IMO.


You can start/ridebike once a month, but running less than 10- 15minutes will do more harm than good to engine in general, BTW never jump start a scooter/bike from a running car, could damage charging system 


BTW lots of guys run a YTZ14(more capacity/amperage) on SW600 instead of spec YTZ12, no issues with fit, etc. 
 
 

Everyday riding is the solution to no battery trouble!!

I'm liking my Lithium Ion battery a lot, even when it has been setting around when I plug in the battery tender it shows steady green full charge in less than 15 min. All told I have 5 Lithium batteries I use and an still amazed at their life span.

I got a lithium battery for my Swing and It did not do well because of the constant parasitic draw, especially if you have an alarm system. My new Shorai battery would not last four days sitting idle. Will not start the bike. Clock, and trip meters will reset. Shorai tech confirmed that lithium batteries will not hold a charge for more than a few days depending on the amount of electrical requirements when the ignition is off.  He recommended their battery tender. My other gel batteries used to last two weeks without any problems. It will hold a charge for months if disconnected. After three years I ended up replacing that battery with a AGM type battery.

zrx212 wrote:

Historically the oem Yuasa batteries that came with bikes from Japan where the best quality, IOW JDM products, 5-10yrs life was not uncommon, nowdays not so much, US made Yuasa batteries IME are no better than top quality offerings from BBAP(Big Box Auto Parts) or batteries plus, etc. and easier to get+warranty as they are close by. IAC there's some parasitic battery drain on the SW600 from clock/odometer/etc.(as most newer vehicles) plus batteries will naturally loose charge over time, a trickle charger is the easiest solution IMO.


You can start/ridebike once a month, but running less than 10- 15minutes will do more harm than good to engine in general, BTW never jump start a scooter/bike from a running car, could damage charging system 


BTW lots of guys run a YTZ14(more capacity/amperage) on SW600 instead of spec YTZ12, no issues with fit, etc. 
 
 

YTZ14 is for the Honda ST1300 and has 20 or so more CCA and it does fit. Buy a fresh one and you should have no issues.

I upgrade our Silver Wing and Burgman 400 batteries to the YTZ14 size when they are due.  You'll see by the chart below on Page 6, the dimensions are identical between the YTZ12 and YTZ14.  Like Mech1twa says, 20 more CCA in the YTZ14 and only slightly heavier which you'll never feel.

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020_Application_Guide_File.pdf

My last battery only lasted 2 years. (cheep) Then I bought the TPE lithium LiFePO 4 300 cca. with smart battery management, what ever that is. I was amazed at how much lighter it was compaired to all my others and even though I ride almost every day, has not given any signs of getting tired going on 1 year. If it last 3 I will be very happy.

4 Years on mine so far, once a month I put the Battery Tender on it, float occurs fast.

The battery on the right is the first one I ordered off Ebay when I first got my SWing. The Lithium Ion on the left is what's been in my SWing after the first year when the cheapie on the right died. It only cost $25 so no big deal. The Lithium Ion has been working great for the last 5 years with no problems. During the winter I put it on the Deltran Battery Tender about once a month to keep it charged. A couple months ago I ordered a new one, not because the old one is going bad but just to be on the safe side. It's all charged up and ready to install. So now I'll be set for another 5-6 years...

I'll just bet you can't guess where the Golden Dragon battery came from. LOL

Good choices of batteries. Happy holidays