how to get a cheaper battery for GS500.

Chris24 · July 19, 2007, 07:14:07 PM

sup all. im a parts consultant for a suzuki dealer, and i just restored a gs500. as you all may know the OEM battery, a yuasa YB10L-B2, can run $80-$90+. yes...that is rediculous.

i read somewhere about a battery you can get from wal-mart that will work for about half the price, but it takes some modifying. i dont recommend that, i have a better alternative.

Parts Unlimited part number: RCB10L-B2. it should run about $35. i know at our dealer we warranty the yuasa batteries for 6 months, the parts unlimited one comes with a 1 year warranty! for half the price! the parts unlimted rep told me that this battery is actually made by yuasa under a private label. i know a little about the industry and how branding works, so i believe him. kind of crazy, but the warranty seals the deal for me. batteries often dont last a year in my neck of the woods, houston texas heat kills batteries fast.

if you are in the states, canada, and possibly elsewhere, your local dealer should get most of their aftermarket stuff from parts unlimited, just about every major dealer should be setup with them. most likely the dealer wont stock it, and they may even try to talk you out of buying it. they would rather sell you the yuasa they have in stock. if you insist, or just order by part number they will get it for you.

as for my personal experiance, like i said i just restored the GS i have. i got this battery for it, and when i compared it visually to the yuasa they were identical is size, shape, and weight. only difference was the PU battery was white with their logo on it. the battery is not shipped with acid in it, but neither is the yuasa, the dealer should be able to fill it for you. they should also be able to charge it, but i recommend you do this yourself. dealers like to "quickcharge" the battery which is ok, but not as good for the battery as a proper slow charge.

i charged and installed the battery, and its only a week or two old, but it is working fine. i actually got mine with an employee discount so i paid like $18 for it. sweeeet!

FYI, they have alot of other cheaper alternatives. there are a ton out there. im sure almost everyone here uses EBC or a similar pad over OEM, but to be honest thier prices are going up too, as that is what 95% of people are stocking and buying. i am also trying the Parts Unlimited brake pads (made by SB). at the moment my brakes are squishy, but i suspect my brake fluid is original, or at least a few years old, so i will make a new post on them after i do a brake system fluch and bleed.

i also got parts unlimited brake and clutch levers, for like $9 each (my price)
EMGO is also a really good brand if you want value. they make mirrors, levers, turn signals, etc.

imo the emgo stuff isnt always quite as good as the oem, but it works well enough, and is a fraction of the price.
i got the emgo mirrors, which look just like the OEMs for really cheap, like $6 each and are just as good.
i got all my cables from motion pro, through tucker rocky, (tr is similar to pu) like $10 each or less.

i guess my whole rant, is that i hate working for the stealership. my boss is such a cheap ass, he tried to talk me out of getting the parts unlimited battery, i honestly felt like he just wanted to make a little more money off my employee purchase, and he knows im poor. they dont give a crap about their employees...guess what they think about customers. i hate the stealership!

the whole point of my post i guess is to give some inside tips of what you can get if you know its out there. you dont have to pay alot, and you can new stuff instead of used for less money.

/rant

jake42 · July 19, 2007, 07:18:30 PM

When mine died last summer I called the local bike place. This guy does repairs, tire changes, salvages, etc. Told them the year and the make of my bike and they had one charged and ready for me when I got there for 29 bucks. I avoid the dealership at all costs.

Jake

CirclesCenter · July 19, 2007, 10:33:03 PM

I work for a Honda dealer and I can say it really simply.

Go
After
Market

Seriously.

Go down to batteries plus or whatever. Trust me, dealerships put it to you in unmentionable ways. Most parts are marked up to double cost. I feel a like I'm robbing these people.

Admiral Crunch · July 20, 2007, 05:48:29 AM

The main reason I bought the Wal-Mart battery is because it's maintenance-free.

Oklahoma_Mike · July 20, 2007, 05:58:15 AM

Quote from: Admiral Crunch on July 20, 2007, 05:48:29 AM
The main reason I bought the Wal-Mart battery is because it's maintenance-free.

What bat did you get?

Chuck · July 20, 2007, 06:48:07 AM

Do a board search for "walmart battery." It's been discussed a "number"

of times.

Admiral Crunch · July 20, 2007, 07:41:07 AM

Quote from: Oklahoma_Mike on July 20, 2007, 05:58:15 AM
Quote from: Admiral Crunch on July 20, 2007, 05:48:29 AM
The main reason I bought the Wal-Mart battery is because it's maintenance-free.

What bat did you get?

ES12BS

scottpA_GS · July 20, 2007, 08:08:36 AM

I have had my Interstate battery for 3 years

$34.99

GeeP · July 20, 2007, 08:14:52 AM

Alternatively, if you want an unsealed battery, use Wal Mart ES10L-A2. You'll have to relocate the breather tube to the opposite side of the bike. At some Wal Marts, the ES10L-A2 is the only battery that remotely fits the GS. Other Wal Marts will have a bigger selection. They also have a battery cross reference that lists the battery they suggest for the GS500. (It is the above battery, but with the breather on the opposite side. I think the "L" becomes an "R")

groff22 · July 20, 2007, 08:36:59 AM

I picked up a YUASA or whatever they are called for 25 bucks total ($20 for the battery, $5 for acid) from a small motorsports shop. Local Suzuki dealer wanted to charge me a bit over $80 for the same one!!!

JG

mytwin · July 21, 2007, 05:01:45 AM

Chuck, why dont you throw a link in there with your very polite message!

Chuck · July 21, 2007, 05:13:16 AM

Probably because the search form uses HTTP POST, so it won't make a link, and I didn't want to take the time to paste links to four pages of threads.

mytwin · July 21, 2007, 05:31:45 AM

I am going to work right now, I will reply later in the rant section...dont move.

The Antibody · July 21, 2007, 05:46:00 AM

I purchased my Yuasa online for less as well, but my original stock battery laster over 4 years. It was pretty sweet. '02 - '06

-Anti

Chuck · July 21, 2007, 01:40:56 PM

Quote from: mytwin on July 21, 2007, 05:31:45 AM
I am going to work right now, I will reply later in the rant section...dont move.

I wouldn't bother.

Nikolas · July 21, 2007, 01:45:57 PM

Quote from: GeeP on July 20, 2007, 08:14:52 AM
Alternatively, if you want an unsealed battery, use Wal Mart ES10L-A2. You'll have to relocate the breather tube to the opposite side of the bike. At some Wal Marts, the ES10L-A2 is the only battery that remotely fits the GS. Other Wal Marts will have a bigger selection. They also have a battery cross reference that lists the battery they suggest for the GS500. (It is the above battery, but with the breather on the opposite side. I think the "L" becomes an "R")

The A becomes B. I.E. Correct battery ES10L-B2, but ES10L-A2 is easier to find and works. I did actually find a B2 at cyclegear once for $30... just after I bought a A2 elsewere...

slowinthestraights · July 21, 2007, 05:27:57 PM

Quote from: Chuck on July 20, 2007, 06:48:07 AM
Do a board search for "walmart battery." It's been discussed a "number" of times.

And then go roast the shaZam! out of your clutch.

Chuck · July 21, 2007, 08:17:00 PM

I'm about to. Another track day on Monday. Wheeeeee.

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how to get a cheaper battery for GS500.