best battery for my '97 Firestorm?

[VTR 1000]

What do fellow 'Stormer's consider to be the best performance/value replacement battery for my Firestorm?

My '97 Firestorm is still on its original battery! but if its not parked-up on the optimate it will not hold a charge/start after a week now so I think its time to change it. Some tech such as a speedo-healer, odo re-call, alarm immobiliser etc etc has been fitted in recent years that probably hasn't helped, as I've not fitted a Lucas isolator switch yet (which I have on my other bikes).

I have heard good things about the Odyssey cells, but price is a consideration as is fitment (terminal type and what cells 'fit the space' best too).

thanks

[gilson]

My only advice is not to buy a really cheap one.... I don't think you can go far wrong with another Honda one....especially if it's lasted since 97!

[VTR 1000]

There is that - any new battery will probably outlast the bike now (although my VTR has only covered 11k miles from '97!), especially if I Optimate it from new, and isolate it in the winter. What do Honda batteries retail for does anyone know? as the Odyssey is surely a great cell but a bit on the pricey / OTT side (and may not even fit the frame very well).

[benny hedges]

standard battery is only 12ah and struggles a bit especially if you run heated grips and for cold starting in winter.
you can fit a much bigger, higher amperage battery if you remove the battery compartment lid.
have a look in the workshop for 'occasional fault / misfire' thread.... i put some links there for bigger batteries that will fit.

ie ytx20ch-bs which is an 18ah battery with the same dimensions as the original but 30mm taller.
or ytx18ch-bs which is the same again but 16ah, both a big difference in cranking power over the original.

as gilson said, dont scrimp on batteries... get a proper one and it will serve you well.
and avoid the gel type - dont believe the hype. i bought one and it was crap, wouldnt hold charge and didnt have half the power of the old one i took off.

[sirch345]

I'd recommend an OEM type battery too, which for my Firestorm is a Yuasa.

For a little more cranking power some owners fit a Varadero battery which is 15mm taller and requires removal of the battery box top, you may/may not wish to do this. The Varadero battery is 12amp hr, whereas the Firestorm battery is 10amp hr. (I think Benny slipped up there although I know it's a bit confusing with the battery code having a 12 in it).

Have a look on Ebay, plenty of good deals on there, but make sure you get the right one. The later Firestorms used a smaller battery.

Chris.

[cheekykev]

Get a standard Yuasa and keep it on an optimate, job done, in my opinion ther is no other battery as good as Yuasa for reliability and value for money, look round though the prices differ so much, i saw them for as much as £105 yet i picked one up last year for £42 delivered remember though you need to look after it, like any other part if you don't look after it properly then you shorten it's life span
JUst think how many new bikes are sold with a Yuasa on as standard, doesn't that tell you something

[gilson]

I tink I have a bosch on my track bike but I do keep it on an optimate for a coulpe od days before a day.

The other great thing I have added to my bike is some heavy duty Anderson connectors to which I connect a Clarke Battery booster.

It was a modifcation that I am proud of and got the idea from, I think Pariah from this site. The thing with these big pistons is that even with only a slight reduction in power they won't fire up. With the batter power pack connected it gives it that bit extra and bang, everytime whatever teh state of the battery.

This is even more important when running a total loss system too as the starting is where all the power is needed.

Not relavant to you really, although it's always good to ahv ea battery power pack in the garage for cold starting assistance...

[chi kung]

I put a Gel Battery on mine and have used it all over winter with no issues. my bike lives outside and does not get charged up at all. The std Battery really struggled to start the bike in winter, I definatly think the Gel one is better but you still need buy a decent one.

Adrian

[balls]

Well i have a 14ah batt in mine and for the last year I have been using the storm for work as a care assistant in the community , so I am starting the bike 15 to 20 times a day with only 2 to 5 mile runs in between .its never let me down even through this years cold weather .
I think it cost around £50 so not to bad ,I think a lot of starting problems are lack of use related I work 6 days a week and has to be the best starting bike I have had