Just starting to notice it getting a bit sluggish. Bike is a Jan2016 build, original battery still in it, 45,000km. Not a bad innings. Second set of OEM tyres now at 25,000km and looking pretty good still.

After 5-6 years I usually replace the battery
But our bikes were built 2014-15 so how can you have a Jan2016 build?

Japan is in a different time zone.

I read that they kept making them up until August 2016 - anyways mine def says 01/16 on the plate. It's the difference between "model year" and "build year" I guess.

you typically get three years "good" out of a motorcycle battery, since you are entering into the fourth year... yeah it's on borrowed time

With an original battery on a 2014, I've been shopping to replace it before my next out of state trip, and found you can get 2 business day delivery and pay a LOT less for the same batteries at WalMart. Look for a battery in format 20HL-BS 18 AH 310 CCA AGM (absorbed glass mat)
key dimensions are (H) 6.1" x (L) 6.89" (W) 3.43"

Here's one made in the USA (Chrome is made in Indianna and offers an 18 month warranty, ignore all the Harley stuff) $59.80 https://www.walmart.com/ip/YTX20HL-B...2004/196687637

The best advice I can give you is stick with Yuasa or Deka batteries. They are a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

I think I posted this info a few years ago, but I spoke with the owner of a well-run battery business in town about Yuasa batteries. I used to have a landscaping company before retirement and have bought many batteries of all types from him. He said that he was a big fan of Yuasa, but only as "originally installed factory equipment". He said that he used to represent their brand, but found that replacement Yuasas that he could get from his suppliers never had the same battery life as the "orig.-install" ones. He said he even asked a Yuasa representative at a "Battery Business Convention" about the issue, but never got a satisfactory answer. He won't carry them now. WWIW

I'm going to revive this thread since it didn't seem to really come to any conclusion.

I have the original battery in my 2014 Valkyrie based on the maintenance records that came with the bike. The bike seems to turn over very well. When the weather breaks I will take a look at the battery to try to verify that it is the original. The owner's manual specifies the Yuasa GZY20L.

Amazon has the GZY20HL which seems to be a direct replacement for the original spec battery. There is also the Antigravity ATX20-RS Lithium Motorsport Battery which looks promising but costs more than double the GYZ20HL battery. I'll post Amazon links below.

For next summer, I'm planning a cross-country trip from Washington to Wisconsin with my older brother (whose health is failing at age 74 as a direct result of two combat tours in Vietnam but that is another story). My brother's camping days are over but I will be riding from the west coast to Minnesota to hook up with him then on to Wisconsin. I would like to camp along the WA-MN section. What complicates this is I use a CPAP machine (I'm an old man too) and would need to charge the CPAP battery while on the road and the extra CCA of the lithium battery might come in handy. I'll also be charging my iPhone (used for navigation) and Apple watch while on the road.

Any thoughts on replacement batteries?

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B079VWGY...v_ov_lig_dp_it

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003RF5A...v_ov_lig_dp_it

If you're traveling that far, and rely on your battery not only for starting and normal operation but also for the critical importance of a CPAP, then there's no question - buy the best battery out there. I don't know what that is, but some quick research will guide you. A few extra bucks now is simply good insurance against issues on the road, particularly when your health is relying on it. On a bike, batteries and tires are two areas I never skimp on.


Richmonder