Westco Battery

[silvercapo]

Westco lists a 14AH, 250CCA battery for the CN on their website. Yuasa does not list an upgrade battery to fit the Capo. I like to replace my battery early, so am already shopping. The 12AH, 200CCA rating on the standard battery does not give much margin, IMO. The dimensions of higher capacity Yuasas would seem to rule them out, but the Westco dimensions are slightly different also. Has anybody here installed a Westco battery in their bike?

Thanks!

[rmandzij]

Jack,
When you say Yuasa does not carry an upgrade battery, what do you mean? They list the replacement for the CN, a YTX14-BS, which is a 12v 12ah 200cca battery. I too am in the market for a battery and would be interested in people's views on the Yuasa, Westco, etc.
Cheers,

[silvercapo]

Yuasa lists the replacement battery, but it is not an upgrade in capacity. Their next larger battery has different dimensions, and a different post configuration. A cursory examination of the battery bracket on our bike does not seem to leave much room for a larger battery. I would like more cranking power in my next battery, if possible, but I don't want to jury rig the tie down gear - I want it to be clean and OEM in appearance.

[pistonslap]

I have a westco battery in my Harley which is at least 4 years old. It still cranks everytime. I was replacing other batteries at least every year and a half. I'm sold on westco.

[rmandzij]

Jack,
My CN usually starts very quickly as long as the battery has been charged when sitting for prolonged periods. It starts just as quick even in the cold, 30's here in Chicago this past winter. Have not had a problem with starting her. I'm not sure how more C.C.A. would help or if even needed. Does more C.C.A. help as the battery gets older or when it holds less charge? I know that more C.C.A. will start the CN faster compared to a battery with less C.C.A. , but if it already starts flawlessly, where is the benefit if any?
Cheers,

[Stu_O]

The Westco is a very good battery, though it's a repackaged Panasonic UPS battery, not specifically designed for engine starting. There's another alternative made by East Penn Manufacturing in Lyon Station, Pa. The Brand name is DEKA. They've been in the business since the '40s but only got into the powersports market about two years ago and are now OEM for Harley. FYI, East Penn owns Westco.

You can find East Penn warehouses in major cities or buy on-line from various vendors (usually house branded). The Westco and The DEKA share one big advantage; both are filled, sealed, and initialized by the manufacturer. You take it out of the box and put it directly into the bike. Yuasa sealed batteries are good products, but only if they're properly prepared by the dealer or buyer before installation, which they usually aren't. They're shipped dry along with a special "six pack" of electrolyte.

Here's an on-line vendor selling house-branded DEKA batteries cheap.
http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=BIG-ETX14

Stu O

[silvercapo]

Roman, I have to admit that my thoughts have been running along the same line as yours. The standard battery is working fine for me also, but I also am aware of how dependent our EFI bikes are on a good power source - plus the added strain of cranking a large twin. Plus, I know that the battery was not properly initialized before my purchase - a new battery might be cheap insurance against getting stranded (never happens at a good place or a good time...)

I have always tried to upgrade to the highest capacity battery that is compatible with my vehicle - car or bike. There seems to be no room to move up with the Yuasa.

I was hoping that Stu would weigh in here. Thanks, Stu! He has posted the definitive post on the Westco battery. I need to be sure that the Westco battery will fit the existing bracket, and I will probably give this brand a try.