Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: SPR on May 10, 2020, 02:23:16 PM

Title: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SPR on May 10, 2020, 02:23:16 PM
Afternoon

Looking to replace the battery for a good reasonable priced one

I've been reading and it seems Motobatt aren't as good as they were ?

Dynavolt Gel is mentioned ... which model ?

Traditional Varta / Yuasa ?

Thoughts

Cheer

Simon
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SteveW on May 10, 2020, 03:59:11 PM
I’ve got a bog standard Yuasa on the 550, has been fine for 2 years and still going strong.

I have a Motobatt on my Fireblade, it’s good as long as you have it on a trickle charger. Once Motobatts go flat they seem to struggle to recover, have had to send two back for replacement under warranty.
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: bruxby-clive on May 10, 2020, 05:22:10 PM
Motobatt for me every time, they seem to survive long periods of inactivity with no problem.
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on May 10, 2020, 05:23:57 PM
Me too.

All my bikes have Motobatt batteries.


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Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: Green1 on May 10, 2020, 05:48:37 PM
I think there was a dodgy batch of Motobatt batteries a few years ago.
It hasn't put me off buying them there in all of my bikes and can go for months of inactivity.
I have had the same one in my 750 since 2012
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: mickwinf on May 10, 2020, 06:16:53 PM
I was impressed by the motobatt however mine has lost its ability to fully charge but has been stood for months.
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SPR on May 10, 2020, 07:53:23 PM
Thanks for the replies !!

Food for thought .... the one in it is a £21 powerline so not the best !!
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: deltarider on May 10, 2020, 07:58:10 PM
As far as Motobatt:
Personally I have experience. That color seems to withold me.
Make sure you connect the right terminals!
As far as the standard Yuasa lead acid battery:
No modifications needed.
No risk of error connecting terminals, ruining the rectifier.
Exactly the right dimensions, so no 'surprises'.
Can live up to 6 years (last year kick start only.
Can handle spikes in voltage no prob.
Original look. (Just too bad Yuasa abandoned the original 100% clear case)
Cheap.
Against: occasionally you have to add some distilled water.
When Yuasa has a maintenance free battery on offer, that is exactly the right dimensions and layout, I'll have that one in the future. Have not seen it yet.
Also had good experience with a cheapy: Saito, sold by Louis. https://www.louis-moto.co.uk/artikel/saito-standard-battery/10036450
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SPR on May 10, 2020, 08:20:30 PM
When Yuasa has a maintenance free battery on offer, that is exactly the right dimensions and layout, I'll have that one in the future. Have not seen it yet.
Also had good experience with a cheapy: Saito, sold by Louis. https://www.louis-moto.co.uk/artikel/saito-standard-battery/10036450

Is the Yuasa YTZ12S the maintenace free version ?

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/motorcycling/motorcycle-batteries/yuasa-ytz12s-high-performance-powersport-motorcycle-battery-199699.html
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SumpMagnet on May 10, 2020, 08:27:39 PM
I had a bad Motobatt....but not as bad as the supposedly 'high quality' battery that replaced it. The battery terminal fractured internally, and hte terminal got wobbly.

this caused the bike to randomly cut out when the terminal moved.

Since then...I have paid the extra and bought Yuasa.
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SPR on May 10, 2020, 08:31:09 PM
I had a bad Motobatt....but not as bad as the supposedly 'high quality' battery that replaced it. The battery terminal fractured internally, and hte terminal got wobbly.

this caused the bike to randomly cut out when the terminal moved.

Since then...I have paid the extra and bought Yuasa.

Do you buy the normal or maint free YTZ12S ... the nornal is less money that the Motobatt
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SPR on May 10, 2020, 08:46:06 PM
Just double checked and it would seem the YTZ12S isn't a direct upgrade and it also isn't the right size being too big length ways :)

So it seems either the Motobatt or Yuasa YB12A ...
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: SPR on May 10, 2020, 10:51:52 PM
I always buy Yuasa, trust them, rate them and never had a bad one yet.

Don't know if you know this but you can get a Trade Card from Halfords really easily. Even if your not in the trade there are ways round it. A Yuasa YB12A-A is just under £38 from Halfords with a trade card. If you haven't got a trade card PM me and I'll tell you the secret. Will cost around £5-10 to get one but you'll get that back very soon, I buy my oil, spray paints and any batteries and tools from Halfords now and I've more than made that back. Of course if you also have a car it will also help get the cost back.

Thanks

I've actually got one but always forget to use the bloody thing after getting tools ages ago  !!

Off to get one tomorrow :)

Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: adespin on May 11, 2020, 01:21:14 PM
I always buy Yuasa, trust them, rate them and never had a bad one yet.

Don't know if you know this but you can get a Trade Card from Halfords really easily. Even if your not in the trade there are ways round it. A Yuasa YB12A-A is just under £38 from Halfords with a trade card. If you haven't got a trade card PM me and I'll tell you the secret. Will cost around £5-10 to get one but you'll get that back very soon, I buy my oil, spray paints and any batteries and tools from Halfords now and I've more than made that back. Of course if you also have a car it will also help get the cost back.

Can you not tell us the secret here, or will you have to shoot us if you do? :)
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: OZZYSBIKES on May 13, 2020, 08:59:55 AM
Hi,

Has anyone fitted a Lithium battery to their SOHC bike  ? I have fitted lithium batteries to the NS400R and ZX6R track bike and I am very happy, my 550 has a modern regulator/rectifier fitted so should be OK on having a stable charge rate, unless anyone knows any reason why not ? I am a bit of a weight reduction obsessive with my bikes hence the lithium battery option.
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: Bryanj on May 13, 2020, 04:59:48 PM
May be modern reg rec but is it lithium compatible
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: paulbaker1954 on May 14, 2020, 09:22:28 AM
I fitted a Motobat MB12U and it’s been great. Went for maintenance free as I got fed up not being able to easily see the fluid level in my previous unit without taking it off the bike. The plastic case just too opaque 🙈🙈🙈
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: Lobo on May 14, 2020, 11:41:25 PM
Ozzy.... I’ve LiFes fitted to my 750K2; 400F (and ‘Guzzi 1200) since 2015 and can’t fault ‘em. They’re been truly maintenance free, irrespective of the bikes going winters unused... whatever.
Wrt Bryan’s valid comment, this brand has on-board electronics to cope with the 1970s SOHC OEM charging (which my 2 Hondas are)

Simon
Title: Re: CB550 replacement battery ... gel / agm / other
Post by: wolfheze on May 15, 2020, 03:02:04 PM
Motobatt AGM on mine. 3 years no problems yet. Very little use in that time though. Does hold a charge for an incredibly long time when stored off the bike.
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