GS-Riders International

German magazine TOURENFAHRER tested motorcycle batteries, edition Jan-2009.

1. Odyssey PC535

Type: AGM
Weight: 5.5 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 11.0 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 10.5 V
Cranking power: 460 A
remaining Voltage: 8.0 V
Starter turning time: 123 s
no. of possible starts (minimum): 25
NOTES: Good to very good results all around.
Price in Germany: Euro 169

2. Yuasa YTX14-BS

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.7 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 11.0 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 10.5 V
Cranking power: 395 A
remaining Voltage: 8.1 V
Starter turning time: 118 s
no. of possible starts (minimum): 24
Price in Germany: Euro 79

2. FB FTX14-BS

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.9 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 11.0 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 10.5 V
Cranking power: 390 A
remaining Voltage: 8.1 V
Starter turning time: 118 s
no. possible starts: 24
Price in Germany: Euro 85

2. Varta 512014010

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.6 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 11.2 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 10.4 V
Cranking power: 395 A
remaining Voltage: 8.1 V
Starter turning time: 118 s
no. of possible starts (minimum: 24
Price in Germany: Euro 125

3. BMW Original ETX14-BS (maker: Exide)

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.7 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 11.2 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 10.5 V
Cranking power: 425 A
remaining Voltage: 8.0 V
Starter turning time: 104 s
no. possible starts (minimum): 21
NOTES: Offers good or very good performance all around, only at constant load it reached just a good.
Price in Germany: Euro 125

4. Polo Hi-Q YTX14-BS

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.6 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 10.8 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 10.0 V
Cranking power: 340 A
remaining Voltage: 7.8 V
Starter turning time: 80 s
no. of possible starts: 16
NOTES: The by far cheapest battery does not too bad at all, especially considering the low price.
Price in Germany: Euro 48

5. Koyo YTX14-BS

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.6 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 10.8 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 9.9 V
Cranking power: 290 A
remaining Voltage: 7.8 V
Starter turning time: 78 s
no. of possible starts: 16
NOTES: Does not do well in the cold.
Price in Germany: Euro 83

6. License CTX14-BS

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.2 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 10.9 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 9.9 V
Cranking power: 360 A
remaining Voltage: 7.9 V
Starter turning time: 54 s
no. of possible starts: 11
NOTES: Offered a good cranking power, but performance is lacking under constant load.
Price in Germany: Euro 80

7. Delo CTX14-BS

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.3 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 10.8 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 9.9 V
Cranking power: 335 A
remaining Voltage: 7.9 V
Starter turning time: 42 s
no. of possible starts: 8
NOTES: Much too expensive for the performance
Price in Germany: Euro 108

8. Saito CTX14-BS

Type: AGM
Weight: 4.3 kg
Voltage under heavy load: 10.8 V
after 12 h storage at - 18 C: 9.7 V
Cranking power: 335 A
remaining Voltage: 7.7 V
Starter turning time: 38 s
no. of possible starts: 8
Price in Germany: Euro 57

Notes:
Battery Tester for 'heavy load' tests: DHC, DHC Model 50113, it simulates electical shortage
Cranking power (CA = Cranking Amperes at 26 degrees Celsius for 10 second) was measured with Eisemann PKL 6 at Bosch Germany.
All batteries have a vendor rated cold cranking power (CCA = Cold Cranking Amperes at - 18 degrees Celsius) of 200 A.
The PC535 CA 460 (10 seconds) was close to the manufacturer data CA 465.

Test motorcycle for starting tests: BMW R 1200 GS
All pictures by TOURENFAHRER.

My Yuasa YTX14-BS lasted 3.5 years. I think this not bad, considering that over the last 1.5 years I made only 5,000 km, and the battery sometimes was not charged for several weeks. At the moment the voltage drops at a rate of 0.3 V / week. When new it dropped at 0.2 V per month (battery connected to the motorcycle). So it's time for a replacement.

I decided for the same vendors YTX14H-BS. The H is an upgraded version with CCA 240. I am pretty sure I don't really need this extra 20 % CCA here in Singapore, but at about 7 Euro more over the regular battery ... I paid S$ 140 / Euro 81 / US$ 103. After filling the battery with the supplied acid pack I measured 12.65 V. I charged it for another 1.5 h with a charger rated at 4 Ah (ok, I know not the best). About 1 h after completion of charging I measured 12.9 V.

How old is yours?

My Yuasa YTX14H-BS is already going dead after 1 year only.

The battery was never longer than 3 weeks without riding or a recharge. As a charger I am using a CTEK XS 4003. After a full charge the voltage drops from 12.8 V to 12.5 V over night, which means it can not hold a charge. This is disappointing for a Yuasa upgrade battery Made in USA and bought at extra cost.

As mentioned I am using the Ctek XS 4003, a device on par with the Optimate 4.

I am not blaming Yuasa, even they can have the occasional faulty battery. It is more normal here for companies not honouring a warranty, and I admit batteries is a very subjective theme.