[herbeckg]

I am thinking of buying a new battery. Should I buy an AGM or a maintenace free battery? Both are $69.95 each.

 

[Buffalo]

OEM battery is an AGM.

 

[MJR]

OEM battery is an AGM.

I'm not sure the service manual says FTX14-BS and shows filling the electrolyte and I thought it was a maintenance free OE.

 

[Buffalo]

OEM battery is an AGM.

I'm not sure the service manual says FTX14-BS and shows filling the electrolyte and I thought it was a maintenance free OE.

Some AGM batteries are shipped without electrolyte. The current battery in my 650 came that way and it is an AGM.

 

[MJR]

Some AGM batteries are shipped without electrolyte. The current battery in my 650 came that way and it is an AGM.

Interesting I've never heard of a AGM battery that you had to fill but found this on Yuasa's web site. Interesting cause my the ones I use in the Jeep (Odyssey Battery) come ready to use out of the box and didn't think they would have such a thing but since motorcycles are stored for long periods in a warehouse before they are sold it makes sense. Thanks.

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/batteries.php#anchormf

 

[herbeckg]

AGM batteries differ from flooded lead acid batteries in that the electrolyte is held in the glass mats, as opposed to freely flooding the plates. Very thin glass fibers are woven into a mat to increase surface area enough to hold sufficient electrolyte on the cells for their lifetime. The fibers that compose the fine glass mat do not absorb nor are affected by the acidic electrolyte. These mats are wrung out 2–5% after being soaked in acids, prior to manufacture completion and sealing.

 

[MJR]

AGM batteries differ from flooded lead acid batteries in that the electrolyte is held in the glass mats, as opposed to freely flooding the plates. Very thin glass fibers are woven into a mat to increase surface area enough to hold sufficient electrolyte on the cells for their lifetime. The fibers that compose the fine glass mat do not absorb nor are affected by the acidic electrolyte. These mats are wrung out 2–5% after being soaked in acids, prior to manufacture completion and sealing.

But what Buffalo is saying is that even though acid is added when the bike is assembled at the dealer it's still a AGM and that the electrolyte soaks into the glass mat after being added at the dealer. See here.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Technology is an advanced battery design that eliminates water loss. Once it's filled with acid, you'll never need to fill it with water or check the acid level.

Long Life
Because of its lead calcium design, the AGM battery will hold its specific gravity more than three times longer than conventional lead antimony types. This means much longer periods between charges when the battery is used in a standby mode, like winter storage.

And to remain factory-fresh the AGM battery is shipped dry along with its own pack of high-gravity acid that's added at the time of installation.

Non-spillable
Once filled with acid from its special packs, the AGM battery is virtually maintenance free. All of the acid is absorbed in the special plates and separators, so there is no need to worry about acid leaks on the valuable vehicle parts and accessories.

 

[peelbrow]

I am thinking of buying a new battery. Should I buy an AGM or a maintenace free battery? Both are $69.95 each.

Get a Yuasa AGM battery and then forget it - they're the best. Oh yes! :thumbup:

 

[wilder days]

Got this for my scoot: jell filled, more power, never needs filling and lasts alot longer:
MotoBatt MBTX12U MBTX12U 1 $82.99
Subtotal $82.99
Shipping & Handling $0.00
Grand Total $82.99

 

[Buffalo]

The motobat is a good battery but I can't say it last longer. The second battery that went into my 650 was a Motobat and it lasted about the same as the OEM.

 

[wilder days]

Well, I bought mine for both the burgman and, a year ago for my intruder as I'd read about how they test them, and they hold a charge WAY longer then other batteries.
http://www.intruderalert.com/cafe/index ... cID=176271

Results looked great to me.
Next I'll be looking to see if they have a battery that will fit my lawn tractor.

 

[LeDude]

buy the same or equivalent battery, no point in trying to experiment with such an important piece of equipment.

I am a big fan of YUASA and they often last for 5-8 years.

I got a motobat battery the last time around to see how it does, and it has worked rather well thus far.

I especially liked the dual terminal configuration on it. Used one for the bike and the other for my aux-devices.

FYI - Burgman 650 Batteries ---- DIY - Battery Maintenance

 

[wilder days]

My original battery had a piece of tape on it with Kawasaki written on it !! Why would Suzuki put a battery in the scoot with that on it, unless the dealer changed out the battery for some reason. Mine is a 2009, and I just had to change out the battery because it had an internal short in it.

Question, on the cover that goes over the battery, what are those connectors for?

 

[Buffalo]

Those connectors are on the solenoid for the starter. The positive wire from the battery connects to one of them and the other goes down to the starter. The two small wires that hook to the back of the box those terminals are on connect to the starter button on the handlebars. When power comes from the starter button it energizes the solenoid and lets power flow from the positive side of the battery to the starter.

You will also find a smaller wires that merge into the cables leading from the battery. These are the power and ground wires for the bikes wiring harness. The lead to connectors that disappear into the wiring harness back toward the trunk. The two large cables only supply power to the starter motor. They run down under the battery box toward the engine.

 

[wilder days]

With the screws on the top, it looks like it is designed to be able to connect accessories to it.
I never have. I have my shark stereo unit connected directly to the battery

 

[Buffalo]

With the screws on the top, it looks like it is designed to be able to connect accessories to it.
I never have. I have my shark stereo unit connected directly to the battery

It would not have worked. Both terminals are positive and only one of them is hot all the time. The other is only hot while the starter button is being pushed.

 

[dacooks]

I took LeDude's advice and got a Motobatt for my 2005. 4 terminals is a big plus, along with a 2 year warranty. They still give a 20% discount to BurgmanUSA folks:
http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=60897
I just paid under $70 which included free shipping.