Anyone who needs a new battery, or was considering one..

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I just bought my Yuasa YB10L-B2 for $40.91 shipped from www.motorcyclebatteriesusa.com (they're $41.74, but they give you a coupon code for 2% off at checkout). You need to add acid from an autoparts store, about $8, and then they'll charge it for you for free.

Anyway, I made this post because my order receipt email came with a coupon for 5% off my next purchase, it's MBUSA007 just enter it at checkout, figured I could help others out with it. I know 5% of $41.74 isn't much, but it's something..

[GeeP]

Wal-mart! 

Everstart ES-10

$29, including electrolyte.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Well, lah de f*ckin dah! I need my new battery right now anyway... Jump starter her this morning (She doesn't like the cold and won't start well), rode about .5 mile from my house, and she died at a stop light, wouldn't start. I just finished pushing her the .5 mile back to my house (up a hill... man, that SUCKED). I guess I'll go to wally world tonight and pick up one of those, and return my mcbusa one.. time to check their return policy!

[Egaeus]

Yeah, but you have to go to Wal-Mart and get a crappy battery that doesn't really fit.  I'd rather go to The Battery Source and get the right one for a few dollars more and not end up with a Wal-Mart NeverStart.

I let my bike sit for months and it started without a hitch.  How many NeverStarts can you say that about?

[gsJack]

You can get a battery at the Walmart or local auto parts place that fits perfectly, exact same dimensions as OEM battery.  I've bought a few GS compatable batteries at those places for about $30.

Just get a YB10L-A2 instead of the YB10L-B2 that comes in the GS.  Exact same battery except the drain tube is on the opposite side, just pull the drain hose up a bit and run it over to the left side.  These are Yuasa numbers, other systems vary a bit but you can figure them out.

The A2 batteries are much more common and available immediately and considerably cheaper.  Works for me.

[The Antibody]

Or you could just rotate the A2 and the drain plug will be in the right spot.

I'm such a thinker.

  -Anti 

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Well, like I said, if I can find a ride, I'm going to wally world tonight to pick one up, otherwise I have to wait on the other to get here.. I'd rather not wait. Wish I'd ordered it sooner. Got my new chain and fork seals, new forks should be here later today. Since I'm not at work like I should be (Still haven't found a ride in), maybe I'll spend today painting the lowers, and go get some new 15w oil for em, so I can put em in tomorrow.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Or you could just rotate the A2 and the drain plug will be in the right spot.

I'm such a thinker.

  -Anti 

Easier to stretch the drain hose than the terminal cables.

[RedShift]

That's what I was thinking...

...and "you get what you pay for..."

[GeeP]

I let my bike sit for months and it started without a hitch.  How many NeverStarts can you say that about?

*shrugs*

Wal-mart Everstart batteries are the only batteries I use.  My daily drivers have 190,000, 550,000, and 756,000 miles.  No issues at all with the cars.

I ride the GS all winter and use heated gear.  It starts fine at 0 F.  I've never had to push-start. 

Like GSjack says, you might have to relocate the drain hose.  My Wally world didn't stock the -B2.

As far as fit, it's a direct drop-in.

[bucks1605]

I just go with the better battery to avoid problems.

[sledge]

About 12 years ago I was involved in a project for this company. http://www.shieldbatteries.co.uk/index.html In the 2or3 weeks or so I spent in the factory I saw the exact same products branded with 5 or 6 different names and packed in coresponding boxes at the end of the lines........Go figure.

[GeeP]

Yep!  Contract manufacturing is what it's called.  In essence, a contract manufacturer makes a product.  That product is bought by other companies and re-branded as their own.  The contract manufacturer makes a standard markup.  Each brand marketer gets to set their own markup, resulting in the same product going for different prices depending on which label is on the box.  The difference in price is all about marketing.   

To see the scope of contract manufacturing look no further than the Menu Foods recall.