With many options on the market, especially when it comes to inexpensive replacement batteries for motorcycles, you just never know how well they're going to perform or how long they'll last. Much of it is trial and error, reading of others' experiences, or hoping you get the "1 out of 10" that actually performs flawlessly. The alternative is to go buy a Yuasa battery and spend the bucks to do so.
In my trial and error searching over the years for replacement motorcycle batteries, and having owned a motorcycle dealership where we were a retailer for replacement motorcycle batteries I learned a couple of things.
1) Most newer motorcycle owners (and even some not-so-new riders) have the misconception that a motorcycle battery should last many years, just like a car battery.
2) Most motorcyclists don't replace their battery until it dies (and that's probably true for most car owners, too.)
3) Motorcyclists buying a replacement battery for the first time get really upset when the replacement Yuasa battery for their motorcycle costs twice as much as the new Interstate battery they just put in their car, and it's a quarter of the size.
Yuasa is the best and largest motorcycle battery manufacturer in the market, but their batteries command a premium price (often $200+ depending on your motorcycle's requirements) and some people just aren't willing to pay that much, especially when they know a motorcycle battery is only going to last about 2.5 - 3 years on average. So what other options are there that won't break the bank?
BikeMaster simply isn't a great battery in my opinion. It's longevity is definitely questionable, though it performs great for 6-12 months. What is great about BikeMaster is they provide a 2-Year Warranty on all of their batteries, no questions asked. The don't handle them directly, so you have to take it back to the dealer to get a warranty replacement, but if you're willing to go visit your local dealer every 6-12 months for a warranty replacement battery you can essentially never buy a new battery again, and the initial purchase price is 50-60% of a name brand battery. I have tried BikeMaster in a few different bikes over the years, and while they always stand behind their 2-Year warranty, I found that I was consistently swapping batteries every 6-12 months. I had one in a Honda CBR600F4i that made it 14 months.
I personally don't want the hassle of having to go into my local dealer and swapping out a battery in my motorcycle at least once per year. As well, in my experience motorcycle batteries always die at the most inopportune time requiring you to jump it off, or leaving you stranded 10 miles from nowhere.
XTreme AGM motorcycle batteries from Batteries Plus has proven to perform exceptionally well and have a lifespan similar to the more expensive brands like Yuasa and AC Delco, but at a fraction of the cost, typically around 50-60%, and they come with the same 1-Year Warranty as the big name brands. I have used XTreme in my Honda RC51 track bike, am on my second one in my KTM 690 Enduro R, and in an RC51 street bike I used to have. I had similar results with all of them and have been pleasantly surprised.
Why didn't I mention which one I'm using in my current 2015 BMW R1200GS? Because the original OEM battery is still doing exceptional after 5 years! I contribute some of this to my diligence in keeping the bike on a trickle charging when I'm not riding it, and I've done that since I bought it new. But, there's no question, it will die! And at the first sign of slow starting I will swap it out with an XTreme AGM battery. Why? Because replacement batteries simply don't last as long as the original OEM battery; I have no idea why. If I could get 5 years out of a replacement Yuasa instead of 3 years with an XTreme AGM I would buy Yuasa every time, but I never have had that kind of longevity out of a replacement...and I've tried!
As a bonus, through 5/31/20 Batteries Plus is offering a 20% discount on all motorcycle and ATV batteries with code: CDP13189 if you use our affiliate link in the paragraph above, buying online and pick up in store. As well, you can use code: CDP10011 any time and receive 10% off any purchase when you use our affiliate link, buy online and pick up in store.
What's more important to you? Longevity or never having to pay for a replacement battery again? Either way, these are the two best cost-conscious options I have years of experience with. They are both readily available at local motorcycle dealerships or Batteries Plus stores, respectively which is one of the reasons I've tried both multiple times.
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