Battery for R100RT

[jimmyg]

I need a battery for my 1995 R100RT Classic, but not sure which one to get. The size is a little different than my R90s.

I would appreciate any recommendations. AGM would be my preference.

thanks,

jimmyg

[Ken in Oklahoma]

I need a battery for my 1995 R100RT Classic, but not sure which one to get. The size is a little different than my R90s. I would appreciate any recommendations. AGM would be my preference.

For what it's worth I don't worry a lot about my motorcycle battery being the 'right' size. I have often changed battery size to suit the bike, using a wood spacer or such. You do want to have the + and - terminals on the correct side of the battery if you prefer the stock setup. For myself I prefer not to ground the battery at the ground location where the speedometer cable inters the transmission. The reason is that the threads are less than optimum in total length and prone to stripping. I make my own cables and I prefer to ground the negative pole on the left hand side of the transmission. You will need a short spacer for the cable lug to but onto, but for most people (like me) that's not a big deal. The battery cable that connects to the positive post of the battery has always been long enough to reach either side.

I'm also not a fan of the AGM batteries, since they seem to die sooner than conventional lead acid batteries. That wouldn't be so bad, except that the AGM batteries of my experience seem to die for no reason at all. Lead/acid batteries usually give me a bit of a warning.

Ken

[Major Softie]

I need a battery for my 1995 R100RT Classic, but not sure which one to get. The size is a little different than my R90s. I would appreciate any recommendations. AGM would be my preference.

For what it's worth I don't worry a lot about my motorcycle battery being the 'right' size. I have often changed battery size to suit the bike, using a wood spacer or such. You do want to have the + and - terminals on the correct side of the battery if you prefer the stock setup. For myself I prefer not to ground the battery at the ground location where the speedometer cable inters the transmission. The reason is that the threads are less than optimum in total length and prone to stripping. I make my own cables and I prefer to ground the negative pole on the left hand side of the transmission. You will need a short spacer for the cable lug to but onto, but for most people (like me) that's not a big deal. The battery cable that connects to the positive post of the battery has always been long enough to reach either side.

I'm also not a fan of the AGM batteries, since they seem to die sooner than conventional lead acid batteries. That wouldn't be so bad, except that the AGM batteries of my experience seem to die for no reason at all. Lead/acid batteries usually give me a bit of a warning.

Ken

Odyssey PC680 is the common AGM for such use. It will leave lots of extra room in the battery box.

My first one in my Oilhead died in 3 years. The second one has lasted about 6 and still works perfectly.

There are cheaper AGM batteries, but I like the characteristics of the Odyssey.

Although they do tend to fail more suddenly, I have found that all the sealed batteries of any type seem to do that (not just AGM), and I find it worth the bother to not have that tube venting acid.

[SteveD]

Deka etx16l. Cheaper than the orange one, fits nicely. I just changed my last one out @ 7-8 years. Just because...it was still working.

[jimmyg]

Thanks everyone. I'm doing some maintenance on this bike and then it will be up for sale.

1995 R100RT Classic (22k original miles)

jimmyg

[Zombie Master]

Deka etx16l. Cheaper than the orange one, fits nicely. I just changed my last one out @ 7-8 years. Just because...it was still working.

+1

[Major Softie]

Thanks everyone. I'm doing some maintenance on this bike and then it will be up for sale.

1995 R100RT Classic (22k original miles)

jimmyg

Actually, if I were going to sell the bike, then I would never put an AGM in it. I'd find the absolutely cheapest battery I could find.

I've never seen a case yet of any person paying a dollar more for any vehicle because it had an expensive battery.

[SteveD]

Yep...look for a cheap Westco ...

[khittner1]

I've used Westco batteries for years and didn't realize I was being cheap. They've lasted 6-8 years and cost about $120. Not an Odyssey price, but not a $35 Tractor Supply special. Maybe I've been unwittingly marking myself as a cheapskate---OK, I've never bought a new oilhead, so, to the dealer community, I have been a cheapskate for a long time.

An expensive battery may not sell a bike, but if you put in a Tractor Supply lawn tractor battery, you've ID-ed yourself to me as a guy who cuts corners, and I'm not going to give much credence what you say you've done to keep the bike "ready to ride across the country right now". Cheap battery = Knock $1000 off the asking price to start.

[PAS]

I've used Westco batteries for years and didn't realize I was being cheap. They've lasted 6-8 years and cost about $120. Not an Odyssey price, but not a $35 Tractor Supply special. Maybe I've been unwittingly marking myself as a cheapskate---OK, I've never bought a new oilhead, so, to the dealer community, I have been a cheapskate for a long time.

An expensive battery may not sell a bike, but if you put in a Tractor Supply lawn tractor battery, you've ID-ed yourself to me as a guy who cuts corners, and I'm not going to give much credence what you say you've done to keep the bike "ready to ride across the country right now". Cheap battery = Knock $1000 off the asking price to start.

My thoughts also! Both of my bikes have Odysessy batteries. The 81 R100RT has 164K and is worth an Odyssey to me.
PAS
81 R100RT
03 R1150RT