Need new battery, looking for suggestions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Need new battery, looking for suggestions
Hey everyone,
I am a very new SuperHawk owner and have recently discovered these forums. I love what I see and am planning on being relatively active here.
I have a question: my bike has been sitting for several weeks in the MA cold and the battery is completely dead. I talked to the previous owner and the battery is old and really should be replaced. I started browsing online and noticed batteries are a little more expensive than I imagined. I've found them anywhere between 60 and 150 bucks, and I'd like to hear from you guys what I should look into getting (quality, price, etc.)
Thanks!
I am a very new SuperHawk owner and have recently discovered these forums. I love what I see and am planning on being relatively active here.
I have a question: my bike has been sitting for several weeks in the MA cold and the battery is completely dead. I talked to the previous owner and the battery is old and really should be replaced. I started browsing online and noticed batteries are a little more expensive than I imagined. I've found them anywhere between 60 and 150 bucks, and I'd like to hear from you guys what I should look into getting (quality, price, etc.)
Thanks!
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
Welcome to the forums, theres a few people from MA here including me, what part are you from?
And to answer your question, if your on a budget, a standard lead acid battery will do its job but its heavy... otherwise an AGM may be a little better/more convenient being maintenance free but is just as heavy and sometimes twice as expensive... or you can save a lot of weight and get a lithium battery but they are very expensive...
And to answer your question, if your on a budget, a standard lead acid battery will do its job but its heavy... otherwise an AGM may be a little better/more convenient being maintenance free but is just as heavy and sometimes twice as expensive... or you can save a lot of weight and get a lithium battery but they are very expensive...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Welcome to the forums, theres a few people from MA here including me, what part are you from?
And to answer your question, if your on a budget, a standard lead acid battery will do its job but its heavy... otherwise an AGM may be a little better/more convenient being maintenance free but is just as heavy and sometimes twice as expensive... or you can save a lot of weight and get a lithium battery but they are very expensive...
And to answer your question, if your on a budget, a standard lead acid battery will do its job but its heavy... otherwise an AGM may be a little better/more convenient being maintenance free but is just as heavy and sometimes twice as expensive... or you can save a lot of weight and get a lithium battery but they are very expensive...
I just want something that works and is reliable. Ideally I'd love to get the most cost effective option assuming its reliable and won't damage the bike. That doesn't really move this discussion forward but I hope you see what I'm saying, haha. Can you give me a specific example of a AGM battery that'd work with the SuperHawk?
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
Holliston specifically, 20 minutes from the border at woonsocket...
AGM has the reliability and is reasonably priced, autozone stocks them for around $90 but they can be found cheaper on ebay and amazon the part numbers start differently for different manufacturers but usually end in 12-BS... a quick google search will give you options.
AGM has the reliability and is reasonably priced, autozone stocks them for around $90 but they can be found cheaper on ebay and amazon the part numbers start differently for different manufacturers but usually end in 12-BS... a quick google search will give you options.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3
Holliston specifically, 20 minutes from the border at woonsocket...
AGM has the reliability and is reasonably priced, autozone stocks them for around $90 but they can be found cheaper on ebay and amazon the part numbers start differently for different manufacturers but usually end in 12-BS... a quick google search will give you options.
AGM has the reliability and is reasonably priced, autozone stocks them for around $90 but they can be found cheaper on ebay and amazon the part numbers start differently for different manufacturers but usually end in 12-BS... a quick google search will give you options.
I've seen AGM batteries on eBay for literally $30... how is that possible? The price difference is so drastic it makes me think something has to be up. Does anyone else have experience buying batteries on eBay?
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
From: boston
yea... your pretty damn close to me
anyways, another member on here just bought a cheap AGM off ebay i believe but im not positive...
I just bought a 45 dollar wally world battery to get me by til i can collect the bits needed to build a lithium battery..
ive had wally world batteries last years so just get what you can afford, your big worry should be the R/R (regulator rectifier)... do some searches on here and youll know what im talking about
anyways, another member on here just bought a cheap AGM off ebay i believe but im not positive...
I just bought a 45 dollar wally world battery to get me by til i can collect the bits needed to build a lithium battery..
ive had wally world batteries last years so just get what you can afford, your big worry should be the R/R (regulator rectifier)... do some searches on here and youll know what im talking about
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 250
From: Seattle
I got an AGM (gel) battery on ebay, shipped out of California. No filling with acid, and no leaks if it gets cracked. It doesn't care if you turn it over, or even mount it upside down. I think it was right around $35 shipped. I'm running AGM batteries in 3 of my bikes now- no problems.
OK, here it is for $32 shipped.
Get the CCTs checked and replaced very soon so you don't lunch the motor, and replace the regulator as well. The R/R (regulator/rectifier) is a much easier fix at home in the garage when you can plan for it than having it happen on the road. It really only takes about half an hour, and on the difficulty scale, I'd call it one beer.
The SH regulator is ridiculously small and not even finned for heat dissipation. Tweety has a great thread on here with many examples of which ones work, and after checking his list, I went with a ZX10 model, 2005 or newer. I got two of them on ebay for $40 each (one for my VFR) - here's one a little cheaper. It will require minor wiring connector changes, but nothing difficult.
VTR1000 OEM Regulator-poorly designed and no cooling fins
ZX10 MOSFET regulator with cooling fins
OK, here it is for $32 shipped.
Get the CCTs checked and replaced very soon so you don't lunch the motor, and replace the regulator as well. The R/R (regulator/rectifier) is a much easier fix at home in the garage when you can plan for it than having it happen on the road. It really only takes about half an hour, and on the difficulty scale, I'd call it one beer.
The SH regulator is ridiculously small and not even finned for heat dissipation. Tweety has a great thread on here with many examples of which ones work, and after checking his list, I went with a ZX10 model, 2005 or newer. I got two of them on ebay for $40 each (one for my VFR) - here's one a little cheaper. It will require minor wiring connector changes, but nothing difficult.
VTR1000 OEM Regulator-poorly designed and no cooling fins
ZX10 MOSFET regulator with cooling fins
Last edited by FTL900; Mar 27, 2014 at 08:46 AM.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 740
From: Pa
I just ordered this yesterday (along with a new battery for my TLD Ruckus)
YTZ14S Battery | Scorpion 12 Volt Motorcycle Batteries
$69. > Free 2 day shipping - no tax and a very strong CCA.
I'll be installing it tomorrow.
YTZ14S Battery | Scorpion 12 Volt Motorcycle Batteries
$69. > Free 2 day shipping - no tax and a very strong CCA.
I'll be installing it tomorrow.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
FTL, NNJ, Thanks for the info. This to me is the best part of the forum. Finding good deals on stuff we all need.
One thing I learned from and old timer (I am becoming an old timer myself), is that you can absolutely shorten a batteries life by float/trickle charging TOO much.
I have a good float charger but now even in winter dont keep it hooked up 24/7. Do it overnight maybe 2-3 nights/ week TOPS.
Batteries are built with parameters in mind and being charged every 5 min is not one of them.
I totally disbelieved this until I tried it both ways and watched my battery life grow the 2nd way (too bad it took many years of experiments.)
Also be aware that batteries drain faster in summer due to heat. In addition, they are under more stress running a fan in summer. The drain in winter (if you ride it) is thick oil to push at starting.
Some nights of the bike sitting in 0*F for 9hrs I would have to bring it indoors for 20 min (the store I manage was closed) and it would start.
One thing I learned from and old timer (I am becoming an old timer myself), is that you can absolutely shorten a batteries life by float/trickle charging TOO much.
I have a good float charger but now even in winter dont keep it hooked up 24/7. Do it overnight maybe 2-3 nights/ week TOPS.
Batteries are built with parameters in mind and being charged every 5 min is not one of them.
I totally disbelieved this until I tried it both ways and watched my battery life grow the 2nd way (too bad it took many years of experiments.)
Also be aware that batteries drain faster in summer due to heat. In addition, they are under more stress running a fan in summer. The drain in winter (if you ride it) is thick oil to push at starting.
Some nights of the bike sitting in 0*F for 9hrs I would have to bring it indoors for 20 min (the store I manage was closed) and it would start.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 740
From: Pa
FTL, NNJ, Thanks for the info. This to me is the best part of the forum. Finding good deals on stuff we all need.
One thing I learned from and old timer (I am becoming an old timer myself), is that you can absolutely shorten a batteries life by float/trickle charging TOO much.
I have a good float charger but now even in winter dont keep it hooked up 24/7. Do it overnight maybe 2-3 nights/ week TOPS.
Batteries are built with parameters in mind and being charged every 5 min is not one of them.
I totally disbelieved this until I tried it both ways and watched my battery life grow the 2nd way (too bad it took many years of experiments.)
Also be aware that batteries drain faster in summer due to heat. In addition, they are under more stress running a fan in summer. The drain in winter (if you ride it) is thick oil to push at starting.
Some nights of the bike sitting in 0*F for 9hrs I would have to bring it indoors for 20 min (the store I manage was closed) and it would start.
One thing I learned from and old timer (I am becoming an old timer myself), is that you can absolutely shorten a batteries life by float/trickle charging TOO much.
I have a good float charger but now even in winter dont keep it hooked up 24/7. Do it overnight maybe 2-3 nights/ week TOPS.
Batteries are built with parameters in mind and being charged every 5 min is not one of them.
I totally disbelieved this until I tried it both ways and watched my battery life grow the 2nd way (too bad it took many years of experiments.)
Also be aware that batteries drain faster in summer due to heat. In addition, they are under more stress running a fan in summer. The drain in winter (if you ride it) is thick oil to push at starting.
Some nights of the bike sitting in 0*F for 9hrs I would have to bring it indoors for 20 min (the store I manage was closed) and it would start.
But my battery is 5 yrs old now, so for $70, I'm just going to change it. As I plan on doing a little mini tour ride down to DC to watch my buddies kid play in a rugby tournament in early April and I don't want to be with a battery that is on its last legs.
And No hiways going there - all backroads
Retired- but not tired!
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,481
From: Pittsburgh
I just ordered this yesterday (along with a new battery for my TLD Ruckus)
YTZ14S Battery | Scorpion 12 Volt Motorcycle Batteries
$69. > Free 2 day shipping - no tax and a very strong CCA.
I'll be installing it tomorrow.
YTZ14S Battery | Scorpion 12 Volt Motorcycle Batteries
$69. > Free 2 day shipping - no tax and a very strong CCA.
I'll be installing it tomorrow.
Anyone know of something better in the AGM category?
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