Westco battery

[zeke]

Anyone hear any horror stories or had bad experiences with Westco batteries? Think it is about time to replace the battery in my 2004 RR. I think it might be the original one in there. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Buckster]

no, but alot of us have went with the Odyssey pc-680 as a replacement.
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680.htm

[zeke]

What are the dimensions of the stock battery? I have heard the Odyssey battery is smaller than the tray it mounts in. I am to lazy to yank the tank off to determine the size. Don't you need to buy some different connectors for the Odyssey? Looks like the Westco comes with the proper connector. Thanks for the input.

[DMM]

I have the Westco and it's been fine, although I get the impression that the Odyssey is better (i.e., more cold-cranking amps). The Westco fits as is and has the correct connectors. The Odyssey is a touch shorter, so you will need a small amount of rubber or wood to shim the battery in place with the bike's battery strap. You should be able to get the Odyssey with the appropriate connectors; however, some folks have purchased the battery without them and then had to get them separately. Just make sure that they are included if you go with the Odyssey.

[sunbeemer1]

I can't say enough good about westco. I bought a well abused '88 R100Gs to restore, in it was a not new westco battery. Let it sit OUTSIDE for a couple years before commencing restoration. Another year went by before reassembly was complete, at which time I hit the start button a short while on the charger. I kicked right away. Two years later the battery still gives a full jolt to the starter, and the battery has no been on the charger other than the one time. The battery is at least seven years old, maybe more.I have a friend who replaced a perfectly good Westco battery after seven years only because he was concerned that it had to faail soon because it was so old. I'm not so sure it would. I have an Odyssey in my R1150R for maybe three years. It is OK so far. My only complaint is that I had to make my own terminals out of copper tubing. Hope this helps.

[boxermania]

I'm not against the Westco or Odyssey as I have never used either. I have used the Yuasa brand on my bikes, both acid type (early on) and gel type and have enjoyed more than 5 years of service on all applications.

[Samiam]

I have a 2005 Roadster with the original battery. I bought it when it was eight month old and after about eight more months I purchased an approved charger for it. Except for when it is ridden by me (alas, not too often, owing to a variety of reasons) it stays on the charger.

I was on the verge of replacing it this Summer but since it cranks perfectly and causes no problems, I've hesitated. Does anyone know the average life of the original battery? The parts-guy at my local BMW dealership said he thought they were good for from "four to up to ten years." Does this sound right? And what are some signs that the thing needs replacing other than slow blinkers and slow cranking?