Replacement (lighter) battery
 

Seeing as how I was still riding around with the original battery in my 99 VTR, I thought it appropriate to do a preventive replacement, lest I end up potentially stranded somewhere as a result of it unexpectedly calling it a day. In looking through some other sites, notably the Speedzilla RC-51 section, I noticed that some replaced the original YTX12-BS (or YTZ-12) with a much lighter YTZ-7. In looking this over, I noticed the smaller battery has a substantially lower CCA rating so I didn't really want to run into issues as a result of that. Upon doing additional research, I noticed that the Suzuki TL's came with a YT12A-BS, a battery that has slightly less CCA, is slightly shorter (@ 1"), and more important, weighs just shy of 2 lbs less (6.3 vs 8.1). While I realize that in the grand scheme of things it is a negligible difference, a slight weight loss high up can't be bad for handling (the 12A-BS cost $50 less too, an added benefit). So, being the adventurous type, I picked one up (Yuasa brand) and installed it. Although I have only just put it in (went for a 30 mile ride to complete the charging process), the bike turns over perfectly well. Of course, I must add that my bike always fires up right away so I don't really anticipate any problems as a result of the switch.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share this with you folks in case anyone else was thinking of replacing the battery with something a bit lighter.

cheers

lighter is better...cca comes into play a lot with your climate too...if you ride through the winter & cold temps, I wouldn't skimp a bunch on cca's

Winter in this part of the world means snow, which in turn means no riding. My bike hibernates when the white stuff comes out. Besides, if this battery is strong enough for the TL`s (bikes with higher compression ratios AND EFI which also draws juice), it should surely suffice for the low compression carbureted VTR.

i don't think you'll have much of a problem

i went the other way
 

I put a CTX14-BS which has the same size as a 12 but a touch more wt. and CCA to get a little better cranking power.

I'll lose wt. from the gut to get better mass centralization...

or just get the sliders and lose the kick stand...

Well, I work out six days a week (plus bicycling, karate, hiking,...) so the personal weight loss option is already taken care of....

here we go again with that crap :eek:...where's Condor?

Did you mean the YTX14-BS not CTX? The YTX14 is rated at 12 AH versus 10 for the YTX12 and 200 CCA vs 180, plus its 16mm taller, respectively.

I have not found a Yuasa CTX but did in other brands, or specs for any CTX. Where did you find it along with specs and for how much?

i'm cheap and the EBC ctx14 is what i bought from motobatteries on the bay. i remember checking it very carefully for size b4 i bought it. it was a bit taller than stock but fit fine, cover closes, etc. it was about 39 shipped as i recall.

FTI
 

All of our specs are on our website.
We do not sell "CTX12-BS" and "CTX14-BS"

Alan Kohler
Product Specialist
Yuasa Battery Inc.
2901 Montrose Ave.
Laureldale, PA 19605
610-929-5781 ext. 118
610-929-1295 fax
www.yuasabatteries.com

yuasa is too much coin for me. it had a yuasa in it when i bought it. i was having to bump start it. it lasted for 4 years with probable suboptimal care. my bike only had 1650 miles on it when i bought it mid 2007 (2003 model). i bought a battery tender (schumacher) for winter. the ebc seemed fine and everything is made in china now anyway, so...

did i mention i'm cheap?

I installed a Yuasa YTX-14BS to replace the original YTX-12 about two years ago. This bike now turns over and catches so quickly it's startling. As mentioned it is slightly taller than the OE YTX-12 but a quick slice with a razor knife removed the PITA folding plastic cover. Sargent seat fits fine with no clearance issues. Honda seemed to be proponents of plastic covers over their batteries in the mid 90's while other manufacturers didn't go that route. IMO this was one of the best moves I've made on the SH.

my memory is not so good any more, i guess
 

-I dredged this up out of the email file----------------------------------------------------------------

Dear jackmanr
Congratulations! You committed to buy the following item:
================================================== ===============
Pay Now
https://payments.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?CheckoutProcessor&item=140
169883698&transactionid=124998829004&quantity=1&le vel=1&editAddress=0&newpurchas
eok=0&refererpage=7
================================================== ===============
Item Name: YTZ14S Sealed AGM Battery FOR Honda 750 1100 YTZ14-S
Quantity: 1
Sale price: $39.95
Subtotal: US $39.95
Shipping&handling:
Other (see description): US $14.00
Insurance: (not offered)
Sales Tax: (none)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Item and shipping details for item number: 140169883698
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Item URL:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140169883698
Sale date: Saturday, Oct 20, 2007 07:08:43 PDT
Payment details: [None specified]
Seller information: motobatteries (customerservice@motobatteries.com)
Jerry Watterson III
Jacksonville, FL 32204 United States
Contact seller: http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ReturnUserEmail&r
equested=motobatteries&iid=140169883698>

but anyway, it came labelled as a CTZ14S made by EBC. works fine so far

Whereas you usually get what you pay for, Yuasa had a rash of problems a while back. Yuasa's are not normally made in China though. My OE Yuasa is now 8+ years old, so I have no complaints. I've had a NIB Energizer waiting for 3.75 years for my OE to die, do I may just fill, charge & install it for yucks this season. Modern GRT (sealed) batteries are super and in conjunction with a Deltran type smart automatic battery charger, no one has any excuse for not having a good battery anymore.

To Add
 

My OEM, '02, finally is starting to go & with Indy trip to MotoGP upcoming + day trips in the middle of nowhere PA - do not want to test my AMA Motow (done that before - long waiting time + they usually do not send a Moto tow friendly company)

Thus - went to Cycle Gear over w/e - for kiddies dirtbike stuff mostly, & they wanted $195 for a Yuasa - WTF

Ah no thanks - Called my local moto guy - I think he said $130 or $150 not sure - still too much.

Now looking on line & find this + can pick up near work.

http://www.batteriesplus.com/pc-3372...20XTAZ12S.aspx

A bit smaller than stock - 5.9" x 3.4 x 4.3 & little lighter about 1/2 lb.

& only 5 less CCA's

with NJ tax $92.