oh, crap.

[Mike Frey]

Nahh, no howls of hate, or even disagreement. Lead Acid batteries are always a hit and miss type purchase, although the top manufacturers do tend to make them better and longer lasting. The name brands cost more, so they *should* last longer. On the bikes, I am a convert to AGM. With 6 bikes and 4 cars, I don't want to spend extra time maintaining the batteries. The bikes all have AGMs, the cars all have conventional Flooded Lead Acid (I refuse to pay double the price for Optimas) I certainly contributed to the early demise of the KLR's last battery when I forgot to check the acid level for a whole summer, and it rewarded me by cranking slower and slower as time went on. When I finally did check it, oops! Only half full. It was too late to save that battery, although it still worked. I have had batteries of both types last less than a year, and have had batteries of both types last a lot longer. One example, and by far a record for me, is the 2000 Chrysler Concorde - over Thanksgiving weekend, I replaced the original battery that was put into it when the car was built. Never had one last 11 years before! Mike

On 1/5/2012 8:17 AM, eddie mauri wrote: > > OK, I know that I will suffer howls of hate for saying this, but, I > have abandoned the "maintenance free" batteries and gone back to the > slosh type. I seem to get a better life out of the slosh's. The > biggest problem with the slosh's is keeping then hydrated while > running long an hard during the heat of the summer. > > Eddie > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >

[roncriswell@sbcglobal.net]

Well I spent $125 on the one I just bought (Interstate battery shop) and a $100 on the AGM that went bad after a year and a half. I have gotten much more in years with the maintenence type and quite a bit cheaper. With 3 bikes, I don't ride one as much as I used to. Maybe that it part of it. We will see how the new one does. My car maintenece free seem to last quiet a while. Criswell

On Jan 5, 2012, at 10:44 AM, Jeff Khoury wrote: > I've had no problems with my AGM either and It's 2+ years and 25,000+ miles into its life. > > I really hate slosh batteries, tending, checking and if you dump your bike on the trail, acid spilling all over your bike, weeping out the vent tube, etc. > > BUT: I almost never buy the cheapest available. I get them from a reputable company that deals in quality stuff, and I've never had a problem. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "markharf" > To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2012 8:35:49 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: batteries > > I've had just one AGM battery, but that's because it's never failed in four years/85k miles. I bought it because the OEM battery needed frequent tending in warm weather, without which it died. > > I suppose there are differences, some attributable to magic. > > Mark > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com , Ian Francisco wrote: > > > > I had two yellow four-pole AGM batteries fail in the KLR. One failed > > hundreds of miles from home. I bought a regular dependable "slosh" battery > > which is still doing its job. I don't know if it's the KLR vibrations or > > charging system or if they were just bad batteries but AGM did not last for > > me. > > -- > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud]

I have had slosh batteries last longer, and give me more miles. I have yet to get more than three seasons out of an AGM.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "markharf" wrote: > > I've had just one AGM battery, but that's because it's never failed in four years/85k miles. I bought it because the OEM battery needed frequent tending in warm weather, without which it died. > > I suppose there are differences, some attributable to magic. > > Mark > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ian Francisco wrote: > > > > I had two yellow four-pole AGM batteries fail in the KLR. One failed > > hundreds of miles from home. I bought a regular dependable "slosh" battery > > which is still doing its job. I don't know if it's the KLR vibrations or > > charging system or if they were just bad batteries but AGM did not last for > > me. > > -- > > >

[Bill Kinnison]

A buddy of mine just took his Optima Blue Tops in to Costco because they only lasted about a year & a half. Costco doesn't carry the Optima batteries any more because of all the failures their customer's had. Come to find out that most AGM type batteries shouldn't be charged with conventional chargers & alternators. If you do, then they typically fail early. Not sure if that's the case when talking bikes & stators though. I also own a Malibu ski boat with a stupid loud stereo & 2 deep cycle batteries. The guys who run AGMs don't have their batteries hooked up to the boat's alternator but use a separate charger instead. I guess a single charge will last longer & the batteries' life is a lot longer. - Bill -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Frey Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 9:34 AM To: List KLR Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: batteries .................. have conventional Flooded Lead Acid (I refuse to pay double the price for Optimas)

[jwflower53]

My agm battery sat in the bike, and the bike sat in a tent in the yard, for two years with no maintenance (I have an excuse, but you don't want to hear it). It cranked for about five seconds, then started up. 5000 miles later, mostly short trips, it's still working. From the variety of experience, it seems the battery's quality is more important than its type. I'll check the brand next time I'm in there. -JWF

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Blake El Explorador wrote: > > > > I've got to chime in here and say while the jury's out for me, I'm already wary of AGM - mine died on me after a couple of months for no discernible reason. > That said, Yuasa's support was stellar and a few days after contacting them I had my new battery. > > > > > > CC: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > To: eddiebmauri@... > From: roncriswell2@... > Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 08:51:51 -0600 > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: batteries > > > > > > > I am beginning to think you are right. Plus they are cheaper. > > Criswell > > Sent from my iPad > > On Jan 5, 2012, at 7:17 AM, eddie mauri wrote: > > > OK, I know that I will suffer howls of hate for saying this, but, I have abandoned the "maintenance free" batteries and gone back to the slosh type. I seem to get a better life out of the slosh's. The biggest problem with the slosh's is keeping then hydrated while running long an hard during the heat of the summer. > > > > Eddie > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Eckert, Christopher (Infrastructure Solut]

This is good info for the battery list I set up. Please let us know what brand it was and I will add it. This post might be of real interest to those who know they will leave their bikes alone for extended times.

>Posted by: "jwflower53" jwflower53@... jwflower53 >Sat Jan 7, 2012 4:59 pm (PST) > >My agm battery sat in the bike, and the bike sat in a tent in the yard, for two >years with no maintenance (I have an excuse, but you don't want to hear it). It >cranked for about five seconds, then started up. 5000 miles later, mostly short >trips, it's still working. >From the variety of experience, it seems the battery's quality is more important >than its type. I'll check the brand next time I'm in there. -JWF

************************************************************ This communication, including attachments, is for the exclusive use of addressee and may contain proprietary, confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, disclosure, dissemination or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this communication and destroy all copies. ************************************************************

[navyboy652002]

Hi, I have been following the topic/thread. My limited experience with motorcycle batteries have been the standard maintenance batteries in an old Suzuki and an AGM battery by Odyssey PC545 in my 2000 KLR650. Between the 2 the Odyssey has been great, way better the standard type. I have never had to do anything to it except charge it when I ran it down too far (a lot of starting due to carb issue). It now has just gone out. Not sure how old it is but it was in the bike when I bought it in late 2005 and it just died 2 months ago. During its life I was hard on it, it would sit over the winter with no attention and 2 times I had carb issues which resulted in me running the starter till the battery was dead many times. So I got at least 6 years of that use out of it. After reading what others have said here, I decided that what I got was pretty good so I am getting another one. I just wanted to put my experience out there in hopes it helps another. Not sure what Odyssey recommends for the KLR650 as they only show KLR650 93-96 and say PC310. But From what I can tell the PC545 fits in with little modification, it sits on its side in my bike with the positive terminal down. Which is what dual-star sells as their super battery? http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Brand/Kawasaki/KLR%20650%20Super%20Battery.htm You can check it out at their site, but can get the battery elsewhere.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Eckert, Christopher (Infrastructure Solutions Dept.)" wrote: > > This is good info for the battery list I set up. Please let us know what brand it was and I will add it. This post might be of real interest to those who know they will leave their bikes alone for extended times. > > >Posted by: "jwflower53" jwflower53@... jwflower53 > >Sat Jan 7, 2012 4:59 pm (PST) > > > >My agm battery sat in the bike, and the bike sat in a tent in the yard, for two > >years with no maintenance (I have an excuse, but you don't want to hear it). It > >cranked for about five seconds, then started up. 5000 miles later, mostly short > >trips, it's still working. > >From the variety of experience, it seems the battery's quality is more important > >than its type. I'll check the brand next time I'm in there. -JWF > > ************************************************************ > This communication, including attachments, is for the exclusive use of addressee and may contain proprietary, confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, disclosure, dissemination or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this communication and destroy all copies. > ************************************************************ >

[Skypilot]

added this one to the txt file on battery options & dicussions http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/8KMNT9YHEz9cpmIyx69f45Fi2iPOo_giaXoRcZtfZwWhCMF26z6GurSgG4zHduQaIskwoPi-xq52HxJbINbut_1pF5cHZvrj/battery_options.txt

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "navyboy652002" wrote: > > Hi, I have been following the topic/thread. My limited experience with motorcycle batteries have been the standard maintenance batteries in an old Suzuki and an AGM battery by Odyssey PC545 in my 2000 KLR650. Between the 2 the Odyssey has been great, way better the standard type. I have never had to do anything to it except charge it when I ran it down too far (a lot of starting due to carb issue). It now has just gone out. Not sure how old it is but it was in the bike when I bought it in late 2005 and it just died 2 months ago. During its life I was hard on it, it would sit over the winter with no attention and 2 times I had carb issues which resulted in me running the starter till the battery was dead many times. So I got at least 6 years of that use out of it. After reading what others have said here, I decided that what I got was pretty good so I am getting another one. I just wanted to put my experience out there in hopes it helps another. > Not sure what Odyssey recommends for the KLR650 as they only show KLR650 93-96 and say PC310. But From what I can tell the PC545 fits in with little modification, it sits on its side in my bike with the positive terminal down. Which is what dual-star sells as their super battery? http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Brand/Kawasaki/KLR%20650%20Super%20Battery.htm > You can check it out at their site, but can get the battery elsewhere. >

[mcapocci]

previous poster hit it right the 15 p. a/h eq mean an equivalent discharge rate of a 15 amp hour lead acid battery lead acid has a slower dischage rate for a given kwh capacity than LiFeP but heavier what you there is. lot to a battery to know one operating voltage lead acid is 2.1 v per cell two discharge rate. which is called in ofter as cold cranking amps this is the current that can be supplied at operating voltage for a short period of time three amp hour rating. this is a bad way to say energy density which should be kilowatt hours reason is as a battery discharges its operating. voltage drops lastly why not use lead acid if you take care of them. ie ride the bike and keep it (the battery clean and topped off) they last five years there is no inherent benifit to Li feP if you think you are being more earth friendly you are not Lithium smelting is messy as any lead is usually easily recycled

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "mcapocci" wrote: SNIP> > there is no inherent benifit to Li feP > if you think you are being more earth friendly you are not > Lithium smelting is messy as any > lead is usually easily recycled > Mike, thank you for your reasoned and practical answer. Many = some replace the lead-acid battery because 1.they leak (a little) while the bike is taking a dirt nap. NOTE: All KLRs like dirt naps; garage naps; gas station naps; plate glass window naps; rest stop naps; naps in front of pretty girls. (probably more that I can't remember) 2. The (sic) glass matt weighs less. cough. 3. The glass matt holds a charge through the winter better. cough. yawn. 4. The glass matt batt is 'cool'. 5. All studly adventure KiLeRista's use anything but a lead-acid battery. revmaaatin. who b all lead acid battery, all the time. At least 4+ years on each lead acid battery for