1980 XS Best battery for the price?

I've had pretty good luck so far with a couple Chrome brand sealed ones, reasonably priced and both are at least a couple years old now. There's only one down side to these sealed batteries that I've run across so far - they give no warning when they decide to crap out. They work fine, like brand new, right up to the minute they die. With the old lead acid type, you could tell they were getting old, they cranked slower. You had some warning that it was time to shop for a new one.

I've had 2 sealed batteries on other bikes die. They both quit while I was riding the bike. It started fine minutes earlier and then while riding down the road, the battery failed. When I came to a stop, I discovered this, the bike stalled. When the RPMs dropped down to idle and the alternator output dropped off, the bike died. Normally, a good battery would provide the needed voltage to keep the ignition going when the charging output is low. The crapped out sealed battery had no voltage to give, lol. In both cases, I was able to get the bike running with a jump and then nurse it home with the headlight turned off and by keeping the revs up so the ignition would run off the alternator produced voltage. I have since invested in a couple sets of motorcycle specific jumper cables and carry a set on every sealed battery equipped bike I have now.
I'm willing to bet all of your AGM batteries were Chinese..Crome is definitely Chinese...
I had been using Deka AGM batteries for 10 years previously in my XS1100's and never ever once had one fail on me..anywhere or at anytime...My not so scientific analysis tells me that the Chinese cheap batteries are more problematic than American made batteries..so based on my previous experiences with Deka...Made in PA.. I will go with a Deka for $90..and i wont be looking back...
 
Walmart has some really good agm ones at a good price.
I am budget challenged this month so i will prolly opt for the cheapo Wally world battery..but eventually i will upgrade to a Deka..no fun having a dead bike in the shed...
 
I agree with 5twins. AGM's do tend to crap out with out much warning.
I usually get mine off Ebay. They come with the acid installed. The Wally World batteries don't. Don't like messing with the acid if I don't have too.
Kinetik AP series Power Sport batteries are the ones I've had good luck with. Many sellers sll the same battery. I di have one bad one. Wouldn't take or hold a charge. Contacted seller and they sent me a new one. Didn't even have to return the old one. Run around $50.
Usually get 5 years out of one.
Leo
 
I am budget challenged this month so i will prolly opt for the cheapo Wally world battery..but eventually i will upgrade to a Deka..

I agree with 5twins. AGM's do tend to crap out with out much warning.
I usually get mine off Ebay. They come with the acid installed. The Wally World batteries don't.
Two Yuasa batteries are the only two I’ve bought for the duration of 4 XS’s over the years. Both served very powerfully and reliably. Both are gone now sold with bikes. Heii, one from years ago is still going strong I’m told recently.
I actually enjoy adding the acid from the upside down pop on container. It is certain then that all is fresh. Very likely to buy the next Yuasa soon, as soon as I get thru the frozen months for engine start up.
I would never try to save $20 by buying a cheap chinese battery..
Wally World... I would only go there for the amusing entertainment
:lmao:
 

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Two Yuasa batteries are the only two I’ve bought for the duration of 4 XS’s over the years. Both served very powerfully and reliably. Both are gone now sold with bikes. Heii, one from years ago is still going strong I’m told recently.
I actually enjoy adding the acid from the upside down pop on container. It is certain then that all is fresh. Very likely to buy the next Yuasa soon, as soon as I get thru the frozen months for engine start up.
I would never try to save $20 by buying a cheap chinese battery..
Wally World... I would only go there for the amusing entertainment
:lmao:
Note: Our Yuasa's are both made in the USA.
 
I am very absent minded and i suck at battery maintenence..plus the risk of lead acid spillover onto the frame..it isnt worth it IMO... As I said elsewhere I have had very good results with american maade Deka branded batteries...sealed. i have used them on various XS1100s for at least 6 years with out any issues at all and these are sealed AGM batteries...currently priced at $89.
I agree with 5twins. AGM's do tend to crap out with out much warning.
I usually get mine off Ebay. They come with the acid installed. The Wally World batteries don't. Don't like messing with the acid if I don't have too.
Kinetik AP series Power Sport batteries are the ones I've had good luck with. Many sellers sll the same battery. I di have one bad one. Wouldn't take or hold a charge. Contacted seller and they sent me a new one. Didn't even have to return the old one. Run around $50.
Usually get 5 years out of one.
Leo
Found what I think is the correct battery..must be 14 AH Model APTX 14AH # 42039..sealed AGM
 
This is what was on the bike...P.O. says this was a new battery,,but he bought it in Wisc...bike is in NC now so thers no way he can get his money back..Dunno where he bought it..Wally world i would assume...
20190927-161809-Copy.jpg
 
Nice, A reasonable choice that proved good to me twice. Just passing it on. Yes, there are many choices I understand .
Good Luck !
-R
 
Nice, A reasonable choice that proved good to me twice. Just passing it on. Yes, there are many choices I understand .
Good Luck !
-R
Confused... nomenclature says this is 14AH... description says its 12 AH..so which is it? Never mind..it is 14AH and BS is correct terminals...+ on right side.. They supply the battery acid i would have to add it...no biggie..just way far awy from the bike...LOL..I think we have a winner...:smoke:

https://www.amazon.com/Yuasa-YUAM62H4L-YTX14AHL-BS-Battery/dp/B0018F3MP6/ref=sr_1_6?crid=JX2UJPDVVIE7&keywords=yuasa+agm+battery&qid=1570075706&s=gateway&sprefix=Yuasa+AGM+,aps,144&sr=8-6
 
Confused... nomenclature says this is 14AH... description says its 12 AH..so which is it? Never mind..it is 14AH and BS is correct terminals...+ on right side.. They supply the battery acid i would have to add it...no biggie..just way far awy from the bike...LOL..I think we have a winner...:smoke:

https://www.amazon.com/Yuasa-YUAM62H4L-YTX14AHL-BS-Battery/dp/B0018F3MP6/ref=sr_1_6?crid=JX2UJPDVVIE7&keywords=yuasa+agm+battery&qid=1570075706&s=gateway&sprefix=Yuasa+AGM+,aps,144&sr=8-6
This battery is titled as 14AH but the picture shows a 12AH battery which one is it? Its supposed to be 14AH? I was ready to pull the trigger but this is not clear...
 
Hi Alex,
it's the on-bike vibration that kills the stock battery. Trying to keep 'em alive over a 6-month Canadian Prairie winter didn't work too good either.
What I ended up doing when I rode solo was to recycle the old (el cheapo)battery every Fall and buy a new one in the Spring.
Attaching the sidecar let me remove the stock battery and use a big ol' sidecar frame attached car battery instead.
All them hundreds of Cold Cranking Amps instead of the stocker's pathetic 14 start the XS650's engine in mebbe 1/2 a turn.
 
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