Klr 650 Battery

[kdxkawboy]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

The Deka AGM battery is pretty high tech, only half the price, works great, and is a direct bolt in.
http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0278.pdf
No brainer for me

Deka only offers a 1 year unlimited warraty (2nd year pro rated) while Odyssey offers a 2 year unlimited warranty on their product. Best I can tell on searching the web is that Odyssey has the better reputation for quality products. For my experience and pocket book I'd rather spend a bit more and get the Odyssey.

[tbirdsp]

I'm not dissing the Odyssey, but you can almost buy *2* Dekas for the same price ($67 vs $127). Not really "a bit more".

I'm at one year on the Deka now. Due to the crap winter we had the bike sat for 4 months. No battery tender. I did charge it for maybe 20 mins on a 1 amp trickle charge (before I even attempted a start). Fired up easily, once it cranked enough to open the vacuum petcock and fill the carb.

If you need the ultimate - get the Odyssey.

Deka is a reasonably priced alternative and way better than the stock battery or even the plain "maintenance free" sealed batteries.

[subybaja]

I got my Odyssey new on eBay for $85 shipped to AK. Not so bad.

I put an Odyssey in mine 3 years ago and have forgotten I have a battery.

This.

[Tidewater KLR]

I'm need to replace my 3.5 year old Yuasa AGM. I'm not sure why it is failing to hold a charge, but it is. I did the resistance and voltage checks to ensure the regulator is fine, then swapped out the battery with the Deka in my other bike and proved it's the battery just going flat.

So I thought I'd share the best Battery Deals I could find this morning:

Deka ETX15L: Best price (delivered) at: Battery Specialists $49.95 plus shipping. $60.37 delivered to me.

http://www.abatterystore.com/commerc...eywords=ETX15L

Also available from Tri-state Battery for 66.95 with free shipping: http://www.tristatebattery.com/produ...roducts_id=977

I ALMOST pulled the trigger on an Odessy PC545: Todays price $100, or $117 for the military spec Metal Jacketed version PC545MJ (plus shipping).

http://www.portablepower.com/odyssey_pc545-p-231.html

Of note: Murphs Kits sells the Motobatt MBTX14AU AGM battery for $67 delivered.

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=407

The Murphs battery looks interesting, it has 4 terminals, 2(+) and 2(-).

I chose the Deka as I have one already in my other bike and I like the terminals, and the way it fits in the bike.

Also: the Oddessy PC310 could be an option for us, I chose not to try it just yet, but this battery is much smaller and more importantly, 1/2 the weight at ony 5.5 lbs

[Iron Horse]

And AGM's can take a full discharge and not be damaged like wet cells or gel.

No leaky crap. Handle vibration MUCH better. Don't auto discharge nearly as fast.

[Kevinhooa]

Originally Posted by CA Stu

You've got other problems, I reckon.

I live in Riverside, it gets over 100 regularly all Summer long, I've ridden lots and lots of miles in the heat, I run a 14t sprocket, too, and every time my battery has needed replacing, it has been from sitting in my garage at home.



I'm sorry, but it's a total non-issue.

Rode to Baja a couple of times in the heat, Utah half a dozen times in the hotter heat, and a couple of times to Mammoth, once in the hottest heat of all hotness through Death Valley, never a battery problem.

Thanks
CA Stu

To each their own. I'm just not push starting mine in sugar sand in a part of this state with no hills. But I'm sure with maintenance and a careful eye the stock would work just fine. Honestly, I think the 2 years of sitting and no starts (previous owner) killed my stocker so I just upgraded what was already not working when I bought the new one.

[kdxkawboy]

Originally Posted by kdxkawboy

+2
The wife has an Odyssey in her KLR and I am completely impressed. No mater how long the bike has been sitting it always cranks over and it has been in her bike going on 6 years. When the current old tech battery dies in mine I will put an Odyssey in my bike as well.

To provide an update, it is two years later. Last time my wife's KLR was ridden was September last year. When we got back in I ran the engine with the petcock shut until the float bowl ran dry (we were taking a 5 week vacation in October) to winterize the bike. Today I put in fresh gas and that 8 year old Odyssey battery still had more than enough cranking power to spin the starter for the 30 seconds it took to refill the float bowl and start the engine. That's over 30 seconds of full cranking power on an 8 year old battery that has been sitting for 10 months, through a winter of below freezing temperatures.

That is why an Odyssey is worth the price.

My KLR had a new in Sept 2008 "flooded" battery. Back in June I had charged the battery and taken a few rides before we went on a 3 week vacation. That battery, not yet 4 years old was deader than a doornail when I returned.

Based on the experience with the wife's bike I got an Odyssey for my bike, from Happy Trails - Tim sells it as a kit with the longer battery cables that are plumbed for two accessory circuits, foam tape to wrap around the Odyssey to make a tight fit, a Battery Tender jumper cable complete with it's own fuse, and a laminar battery cover - for only a few bucks more than my local Battery+ was going to charge.

[pilot815]

Odyssey is the way to go without a doubt. The stock battery didn't last much past the first Winter. I bought a Deka. 1 year later it needed to be replaced. I paid the big bucks and got the odyssey with kit from HT. I am happy with it so far. I figure if I get the 10 years out of it like lots of people claim I will be happy.

[RevBill]

.. you know .. it's funny .. I use premium oil and cheap batteries ..

.. I get mine at Lowe's from the lawn and garden section .. yeah, I'm cheap .. I also get my 10% employee discount ..

[El Brad]

Mine has been in since July of 06, no issues, stays out in my cold garage all winter and has never
been on a battery tender. Don't have to extend battery cables just reroute them.

[Kawidad]

Holy dead threads Batman.....

Since this thread is so old, it needs to be updated with the latest battery technologies, Lith Ion.

Oh, yeah, never mind, I forgot it is only a KLR after all.

[RevBill]

.. lol .. very true ..

[DakarOrBust]

Hey guys,

Whats your opinion on Shorai batteries, anyone used one? im tweeking my 2012 KLR for a trip down to south america with lots of gadgets sucking power so basicly I want the best battery and I dont mind paying alittle more for it. from what some of my mechanic buddies have told me this is what all the guys with the 1200gs are using for all thier toys so it seems like a logical choice? thoughts?
Thanks!

[SkiBumBrian]

I have an LiFe battery and so far it was a great purchase. You save about 10 lbs., it can be mounted in any position and has more CCA. There is basically no storage though. If you are one with gadgets galore on your bike and run them without relying on the stator, it is not for you. They also are very particular on charging voltage. They state you cannot use a standard charger but properly installed and a healthy charging system it should give 10 years of trouble free service (as stated by their rep.)

[macdoc]

any Aussie riders on here?
My KLR battery went dry from no maintenance over a 9 month layaway in very high temps in a metal building. ( friends were supposed to ride it etc )

Even the fuel cooked out of the tank.
Bike started and ran fine once it had juice but needs a new battery - suspect it was the original from 2004 anyway.

Inclined to cheap since I only ride 3 months of the year but would prefer sealed.

Got any sources thanks.... 2004 KLR 650