On Batteries - GenII in GenI

[BayBusa]

I have seen a lot of you post on problems with the battery and I must concur from my own experience that the battery in the hayabusa has been the worst performer of our batteries.

I have a Scorpio and a GiPro that 'drain' the battery - I added a switch to turn these off when parking in the garage. This solved my problems for a while, but even so, the GenI battery seems to be at it's end-of-life after two years: when the dealer noticed poor charging level's for my GenI battery, I decided for this solution:

Step 1: BatteryMinder Plus
Not affiliated (this is not meant as a product endorsement) - just that this gives the lowest cost option for desulphation and avoidance-of-overcharging option. Note that you need 12118 (AGM) and not 12117 (wet type) for 'constant plug in'.
(I am currently testing the desulphation on the GenI battery - see if it recovers)

Step 2: Upgrade the battery
This is a bit odd - as I could have just fitted a replacement battery, but see the attached pictures: I squeezed the GenII battery (YTX12-BS) in the GenI bay (YT12A-BS [OEM/Japan: FT12A-BS]). To make it fit properly, I should have dremeled out some of the seat-underside plastic, but it's less than 1/4" after you remove the 'bumper' - there seems to be enough give.

• [This is really a 'downgrade' - the YT12A-BS was selected as a 'weight saver' (1lbs) versus the YTX12-BS. E.g. the GSXR1000 went from the 12A to the X12 in '05. The Busa went from the X12 to the 12A in '08].

Specs:

Battery Type: YTX12-BS
Voltage: 12
Capacity (Amp. Hrs.): 10
Dimensions: 6" x 3.4375" x 5.125"
Weight: 7.5 lbs.
Metric Dimensions: 150mm x 87mm x 130mm
Metric Weight: 3.4 kg
Acid Volume: 0.6
Charging Current (Amps.): 1.2
C.C.A.: 180​

---

Battery Type: YT12A-BS
Voltage: 12
Capacity (Amp. Hrs.): 9.5
Dimensions: 6" x 3.4375" x 4.1875"
Weight: 6.3 lbs.
Metric Dimensions: 150mm x 87mm x 105mm
Metric Weight: 2.8 kg
Acid Volume: 0.5
Charging Current (Amps.): 1
C.C.A.: 175​

​

As to all the extra wires: I have connections to the battery for the tender plug in, the switch for Scorpio and GiPro and also a standard cigarette-lighter adaptor (to plug in accessories).

Some pics below: notice that the GenII battery after adding of the electrolytes (prior to charging) already shows a higher voltage (12.55V) than my GenI battery does after a short ride (12.36V).

 

[raydog]

Thanks for your research, those of us with Zumo's, detectors, electric clothing, etc. must keep up with this stuff! Raydog

 

[TruWrecks]

Get a battery Battery Tender and use it.

 

[craigntx]

never realized the 1k battery was lighter.
interesting info for when i lighten the bus even more

 

[AJAY]

Suffering bike fever here on the frozen East Coast today. Wanted to go play with the motorcycle, but all I could manage was to hook a charger up to the battery!

Step 1: BatteryMinder Plus
Not affiliated (this is not meant as a product endorsement) - just that this gives the lowest cost option for desulphation and avoidance-of-overcharging option. Note that you need 12118 (AGM) and not 12117 (wet type) for 'constant plug in'.
(I am currently testing the desulphation on the GenI battery - see if it recovers)

This is very good advice. The BatteryMinder is a terrific product that I have used to "rescue" quite a few batteries. Mine is the older 12117 model, but I've used it on plenty of sealed AGM batteries (in motorcycles and in my Miata), but I don't leave it hooked up continuously. Still, if you were to buy today, go for the 12118 as BayBusa recommends. Here's a link with good prices
BatteryMINDer Plus 12 VDC #12118 (AGM/OPTIMA) - 12118 - Battery - NavStore - Your Pro Marine Source - Detail
(note that I have never bought from this retailer.

 

[06BUSA]

If you want to upgrade for power, go with a YTZ12S (cca210, 8.1lbs, 11ah) or YTZ14S (cca230, 8.6lbs, 11.2ah). They are both only 5mm taller then the yt12a-bs. Which is still 20mm shorter then the ytx12-bs They weigh more, but that is why they pack more punch.

 

[bowwow]

I have my trickle charger wired directly to my battery with a easy to connect plug under the hump. All I have to do is plug it up when I get home.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

I use a Deltran Battery Jr. and have never had a problem with the battery in my 06. I also have batteries in my Hondas that are in their 6th year of service. Must be doing something right.

 

[ajblbv]

what brand battery do you guys recommend? I run a gen1 with no accessories on it at this point, and only I am likely to add would be HIDs (maybe), maybe LED angel eyes, and maybe an LED glow kit....

The one I just bought from my local battery warehouse is leaking after a month, which frustrates me, and though i will get it replaced, I was wondering if there was a better option I could order online. Thanks.

 

[alglag412]

yuasa