Battery preferences

[PaulD]

Motobatt vs lead acid (Yuasa) for my 1100 Kat
Any opinions people?

[pop-up]

Taking your riding habits into consideration I'd go for solar.

[PaulD]

Taking your riding habits into consideration I'd go for solar.

Ouch that smarts

[pookie]

My Kawasaki Kr-1 has got through at least seven batteries since I bought it 29 years ago, but for the past six years it's had a Motobatt battery in it and hasn't missed a beat, only problem with a Katana is that the Motobatt is bright yellow and can show up when in the Kats' battery cradle, might be able to wrap it with black tape or something (yes, I do have ocd)

[fossie]

I get mine from Busters , or M&p in Wales . Cost about £24.95 incl post and packing, 14LA2 , don't change them that often at most 3 years or so , it depends on usage and optimate really .....but 24 quid versus 55ish....

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£24. When did you last by one?

[PaulD]

The reason I’m asking is I’ve heard the Motobatt is not so good if you don’t use your bike on a regular basis? My lead acid has just died because of this and as I’ve no power in my garage I have to remove it from the bike to charge it so an optimate is out of the question.

[fossie]

£24. When did you last by one?

The one you are using!

Add note
ITEM PRICE:
£25.98 From Busters 27 Feb 2018 CB14LA2 battery, so I was a quid out whoops!

If I need one quick I use Griffin batteries Oldham 0845 331 33 11, £31 delivered. He's a knowledgable geezer who deals in batteries for everything so should offer sound advice.

I to have heard that motobatt are not the bees knees they are cracked up to be if not in regular use.

[pop-up]

Busters are just shy of £40 now but includes acid pack. Battery back in dead kat now. Flat after 10 spins

[Uncle Bob]

I'd go Motobatt every time. I've had one in my 1100 for a fair few years (at least 5 maybe more) that doesn't get a lot of use I guess. Over the winter it gets about 1 week in 4 (maybe more like 2 in 8 if I forget!) on the Optimate as I have 1 Optimate and 4 bikes in the garage, so rotate it around each one (I add the Optimate extension plug to each bike to make it easy). The 1100 always cranks over very well come spring, no issues. Once they are taxed and used (from April-ish) I don't tend to use the Optimate again until October / November.

I mainly changed it because I hated taking parts off to get to it to top up the levels and also with the Motobatt no breather pipe to worry about. I quite like the yellow showing through. The Swiss 1100 already has some sort of sealed battery as well, but not sure what type yet, though it's black.

However the key I think is to keep them on the Optimate even for a week every month or 2, as my V-Strom has the modern sealed lead acid battery type on it and is still on it's OEM 2004 battery!

No power in garage? That's rough...