Forum

[rooster]

My 2008 Electra battery fails to hold charge sufficient to use the starter over a period of 12 hrs. This is the second battery in 18 months. Can anyone suggest a good quality make and part number please, or is there a charging fault. Thanks

[Adrian]

Get a decent 14AH gel battery - our hosts sell these. I'm using a Motobatt version which effectively revived my electric start. I don't know which make of gel battery our hosts sell, but both the traditional lead acid batteries I used didn't last very long.

Regards,

Adrian

[Norm]

I have been using the Motorbatt batteries for the last 12 months, very good so far, had one fail quickly but was replaced no problems, Whatever you do do not waste money on Chinese batteries, they are junk

[PeteF]

Worth getting an Optimate charger or similar for winter if the bike is laid up.

[rooster]

Adrian, what is the part no of your motobatt. Thanks

[STU]

Rooster, my (ex-Enfield) dealer supplied and fitted me a gel battery. I don't know what make but it has a yellow case. About £40.
The first one cracked because of vibration so they modified the battery case and fitted a new one. It has been perfect ever since.
I am with Norm on the cheapo Chinese ones - in fact anything cheap from China is going to be low quality, including the CPI Bravo 125 scooter bought new by my brother this February, it is starting to fall apart despite being carefully ridden and stored!

[Dennis C]

To Check for a charging fault ensure the battery is fully charged and connect a voltmeter across the battery, start the engine and with a a few revs to ensure charging you should get a battery voltage of between 13.8v and 14.2 volts if much lower the battery is not getting a proper charge and if higher then it is being overcharged, overcharging will destroy your battery in very short order regardless of quality.

[Edward]

I'm using a West Coast AGM battery on my 2005 500 Classic ES. Brilliant,it will stand for months and still crank the bike more strongly than the original wet battery fully charged.

[Norm]

Rooster, the Motorbatt one I use is the MB9U I have used it in a K100BM, VFR750 and CB 750's and it spins them straight up. It fits easily in the E/S battery box. You also might be able to fit the MB10U which is slightly bigger but I haven't tried to fit one

[rooster]

Just like to say thanks to all for your replies. This is my first post since buying my 2008 Electra. It now resides next to my 54 GLS. Thanks again.