Can Yuasa YT12A-BS be topped up

[corrcullen]

Have a Yuasa YT12A-BS in my 2002 Busa, I have owned the bike over 2 years, but I dont know if the battery is the orignal one or been replaced before I bought the bike.
It seems to be struggling to start the bike the last few times I tried it.
Bear in mind that I only ride the bike at weekends, but as soon as I get off the bike, I take out the battery and put it on the Optimate charger until I get the green light and its fully charged.
So the battery gets treated very well.
I know this battery is a sealed lead acid type, but I see there are 2 caps on either side of it, and a long strip.
I wonder if any of these can be open to check to see if it needs to be topped up?
If not, what battery would you guys recommend please?

 

[kromdom]

have the battery load-tested at your local auto parts store. if is fails the test, then get a new one. hard to beat YUASA!

 

[corrcullen]

Ok I have removed the "Do not remove" strip, and I dont see any electrolyte inside, so I wonder if I top it up a little with distilled water, would it help?
Or would topping up with sulphuric acid be better?

 

[IG.]

I think if it's mainenance free you are not supposed to top it up with anything - they likely contain special gel.

If this is NOT a maintenance free, then feel free to add distilled water ONLY to the correct level (but don't overfill). Acid does not evaporate, only water does.

 

[jwest]

i would suggest a new battery...if you get somewhere and the battery says ok this is the day i quit you dont want to be stranded...a few bucks now save a big pain in the ass tomorrow..

 

[corrcullen]

OK think I will just go with a new battery so.
What battery would you guys recommend, Yuasa lead acid again, or some of the gel batterys?

 

[corrcullen]

OK have decided on the higher capacity Yuasa YTZ14S so gonna pick that up today.

 

[Merlot]

You can try pashnit Motopack battery i think.I have tried YTZ14s the life span is worst than stock.

 

[celticBandit]

Go for the Blackbird battery, Yuasa YTZ12S, it's a bit taller but fits and its a gel battery. That's what I have and it's lasted 2 years so far. Need to use a battery tender if you only ride at weekends though.
BTW, good to see another Irish man on here....welcome.

 

[MikeSomething]

OK think I will just go with a new battery so.
What battery would you guys recommend, Yuasa lead acid again, or some of the gel batterys?

Honda ATV Motorcycle and Scooter Battery Replacement - X2-12 Xtreme - Batteries Plus

 

[corrcullen]

Go for the Blackbird battery, Yuasa YTZ12S, it's a bit taller but fits and its a gel battery. That's what I have and it's lasted 2 years so far. Need to use a battery tender if you only ride at weekends though.
BTW, good to see another Irish man on here....welcome.

Cheers
Went for the YTZ14S, so should be a bit more powerful again, its not a gel I dont think, its a sealed lead acid type.
Got it in Dublin for 78 euro, its made by Euroglobe, the Yuasa was gonna cost 145 euro, so should be ok.

 

[spotrot]

All motorcycle and auto batteries are lead-acid. None are gel (but gel are also lead-acid).

The best motorcycle/auto batteries are AGM, which has the acid Absorbed in a Glass Mat and they have no removable caps to add water. They are more vibration resistant and they self-discharge at a lower rate -- both good things for a motorcycle that's not used daily. Plus AGM batteries are sealed -- unless overcharged.

Some flooded batteries also have no caps. Maintenance-free is used to describe both these flooded batteries and AGM batteries.

If your battery doesn’t slosh when you shake it, be happy -- it’s an AGM.