best battery?

[Jon-D]

Hey guys,

Looking for the best (and most economical) battery for my KTM. I saw a couple of posts on the subject, but I would like to know if anyone has experience using a stock battery vs. aftermarket? How about brand or type of battery? Also, does the cranking amps really make a difference? And lastly, where is a good place or site to purchase a battery?

[Dwight_Rudder]

First of all , NEVER buy a cheap battery. Use the OEM type Yuasa or go to a upgrade like the YTZ7s Yuasa. This battery has more cranking amps. I bought one to test in a Husaberg and then just put it in my new "PENTON" / KTM 525 EXC. It is a drop in fit. Actually 1 mm smaller in all dimentions but 7 oz heavier.

Cher'o,

Dwight ?

[ktmjunkie]

I second the YTZ7s Yuasa. I replaced my original 01 400exc battery with the YTZ7s, it has slightly more capacity (6AH vs. 5AH) but over double the CCA (130 vs. 60) that makes a difference on cold mornings. it only costs about $10 than the std battery.

[brn2rde]

look at batterystuff.com. they will have what you need and the owner is a rider as well.

[jeb]

I had great luck with a Champion brand battery in my 01 400EXC. Always worked great.

[Rodzilla]

look at batterystuff.com. they will have what you need and the owner is a rider as well.

Went to the site but could find no refence to the YTZ7s battery

Am I just not looking hard enough? ?

[Jon-D]

i called the number listed on the batterystuff web site. they are out of the YTZ7S untill July.

Jeb-what is the champion battery number? who did you order it through?

[jeb]

i called the number listed on the batterystuff web site. they are out of the YTZ7S untill July.

Jeb-what is the champion battery number? who did you order it through?

It's in this older thread here.

[NYCdrz]

I talked to the guy at Battery stuff yesterday - they have a 5-whatever battery that fits ktm rfs' with more cranking amps than stock but not as many as the yuasa for $39 - free shipping too.

Bought that one. think it's a westco brand.

[Dwight_Rudder]

Never heard of the brand. You get what you pay for.

Just because they say it works doesn't mean it will hold up.

I say stick with a brand you know that will hold up to the abuse.

Much cheaper in the long run.

Cher'o,

Dwight ?

[jeb]

I say stick with a brand you know that will hold up to the abuse.

That's what I did. I've been using Champion batteries for years with great luck. My first YUSA, the stocker in my 01 400E, only lasted a year. It lived on a Battery Tender, too.

[brn2rde]

Fyi, I talked to Andy at Batterystuff.com, and he told me that the battery he sells for the KTM RFS is the one that KTM reccomends as an upgrade to the original. It has more cranking amps and weighs about the same. The battery that you all recomend also has more cca, but weighs 7 ounces more and is dimensionally bigger(taller?) than stock. In a world where ounces count, why get the heavier battery? He also backs the products he sells.

Batterystuff is local to my area, so I talk to Andy on a regular basis. I even ride with him until I get tired of watching him pick up his DRZ ?

[Dwight_Rudder]

That's what I did. I've been using Champion batteries for years with great luck. My first YUSA, the stocker in my 01 400E, only lasted a year. It lived on a Battery Tender, too.

Who sells Champion batteries ? I never heard of that brand either. It it a local company ?

Dwight

[Jim520exc]

?

I just talked to Andy to order one myself (after reading this thread I figured it was time to replace my tired out stock battery), but he told me a different story than your post, brn2rde. I looked on their website and called with questions about weight. He said the WCX4LB he offers is the same as stock in size, weight, and CCA. However, he also offers the WCX5LB for about the same price which has a lot more CCA, but is also taller and heavier by almost a #. Since I spent a few hundred on a Ti pipe to save those #'s, I told him stock size and weight is just fine with me.

[jeb]

Who sells Champion batteries ? I never heard of that brand either. It it a local company ?

Exide. They're a huge company. Champion is one of their brands. I bought it a midwest chain of stores called Mills Fleet Farm but I'm sure they're available nationwide.

[NYCdrz]

Never heard of the brand. You get what you pay for.

Just because they say it works doesn't mean it will hold up.

I say stick with a brand you know that will hold up to the abuse.

Much cheaper in the long run.

Cher'o,

Dwight ?

True, but this guy was recommended by several members. Also, after talking to him for a while I trust his knowledge. Worth a shot, I think. I'll let you know.