Author Topic: MOTORBATT MB12U -AGM BATTERY -DIRECT FIT WITH PHOTOS  (Read 9778 times)

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wildbill

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on: February 16, 2013, 11:06:52 am
I decided it was time to buy a new battery for the C5. Hunting about the web i read several excellent reports on this AGM MB12U model.
if interested then read this lengthy and ion depth article"Texas Toast Battery Cook-Off"
anyway to sum it all up it's almost the same as the norm - a few mm shorter in height -same in other directions.

old v new.


top view.
positive and neg terminals on both sides. good i suppose if one wanted to add additional accessories





factory battery -was without a doubt a very tight fit. really a pain to remove and replace



not so with the Motorbatt AGM. there is now quite  a bit of room from the fuel line to the battery and the cover plate is easy to fit.


cover back on the bike



how does it work. so far pretty good. instructions said - no need to charge,so i gave it a quick hit of the electric starter and it purred away first belt.
turned it off and repeated the same again - no problem. turned the headlights and indicators on............kicked straight away again.
if you read the above tests - it will tell you how its bigger brother started a V10 car motor about 50 times in total.
hope this is interesting to all who read.


Tri750

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Reply #1 on: February 16, 2013, 12:53:24 pm
The Motobatt has proven to be incredibly reliable. We've sold them for 5 years. We got them in as an affordable option for the factory BMW batteries and have expanded what we carry for all our lines. They have a 2 year exchange warranty with no pro-rating. The only thing, is that you have the 10ah battery 160cca while the correct replacement battery is rated at 16.5ah and 190cca. Not saying you should freak out and change it, the MB12U has plenty of power and any AGM battery is a step up from the original flooded battery that came with it.
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'71 BMW R75/5 racer
'73 Kaw Z1 racer
'77 Tri 750 Bonneville
'99 BMW R1100RT


TWinOKC

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Reply #2 on: February 16, 2013, 03:26:46 pm
Thanks for posting wildbill.  Any AGM battery is a big improvement over the origional.
Also glad to see you installed the battery correctly (with the posts on the inside) there has been some discussion about which way the battery should be installed.  I think the owners manual shows (incorrectly) with posts on the outside.
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Craig McClure

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Reply #3 on: February 16, 2013, 06:46:26 pm
AGM Battery is the only type to use if you love your bike. It will never puke on your paint & chrome, or even cause corrosion. AGMs are stronger, last longer, & charge quicker. I ended up with a DEKA  agm(USA made) sold by Voltex. Also put one in my Miata.
Best Wishes, Craig McClure


Royalista

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Reply #4 on: February 16, 2013, 10:12:23 pm
+1
Excellent presentation. Good find.
As said by others: AGM is superior and one that is smaller than stock is definetely an improvement. It's awkwardly cramped in there.

Tri750: I checked with the chart and MB12U there is listed as 15A.
The one you recommend (16.5ah and 190cca) is a bit different in size. Length is no issue but width is +10mm and height +7mm. Furthermore the bottom spacer is 6mm shorter. Are you sure it will still fit with some room, however small, to spare? Otherwise this orange could still be a lemon.  ;)
moriunt omnes pauci vivunt


wildbill

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Reply #5 on: February 16, 2013, 10:38:41 pm
forgot to mention i didn't use the spacer at all. instead i sat the battery on a 3 or 4mm thick rubber. hopefully to help shock value etc.
during the past year etc i removed the standard battery a few time. hard to get out and even harder to get in.
prior to this move the last attempt had sparks flying when i hit the side of the gas tank.
this battery cost me $107 including delivery my way - probably a lot cheaper state side.
will let you know how it goes.




Tri750

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Reply #6 on: February 17, 2013, 02:53:11 pm
The spacer is not used for the Enfield application. The point of the Motobatt is with the use of thin spacers, it will fit more motorcycles. The quad term design allows you to spin the battery around to match your terminal position again, to fit more bikes. The Moto Batt we have used since the Calif. release is the direct cross over from the Enfield Exide part number to the MB. As it is a cross over, it's the same tight fit as the original. But you won't be pulling it for maintenance. We sell it for 100.00 including ups ground. Conus.
« Last Edit: February 17, 2013, 03:01:48 pm by Tri750 »
Current bikes:
'71 BMW R75/5 racer
'73 Kaw Z1 racer
'77 Tri 750 Bonneville
'99 BMW R1100RT


squire

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Reply #7 on: February 17, 2013, 07:44:00 pm
Tri750-is the 16.5 battery you're suggesting the same size as our original batteries, I have a C5? The original battery in mine is a tight squeeze as it is and I wouldn't want anything larger. I can't find a dealer near me and will likely pick one up from you.


Tri750

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Reply #8 on: February 18, 2013, 02:57:07 am
Yes, it's just as tight. Batteries, car,truck,motorcycle, etc.) have standard BCI sizes for uniformity. A US made Exide YB6LM will be the same dimensions of an overseas made YB6LM. Once you strap in a gel or AGM battery and put your battery tender lead on and the side cover, your done with it. Some folks will wrap black vynil tape around the battery to hide the bright yellow case color. (yes, I do that when I use them) I have the Motobatt's in 6 of my 7 bikes so far. They are good stuff!
Current bikes:
'71 BMW R75/5 racer
'73 Kaw Z1 racer
'77 Tri 750 Bonneville
'99 BMW R1100RT


JVS

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Reply #9 on: February 18, 2013, 03:00:28 am
Neat batt  :D
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squire

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Reply #10 on: February 18, 2013, 05:43:09 am
Yes, it's just as tight. Batteries, car,truck,motorcycle, etc.) have standard BCI sizes for uniformity. A US made Exide YB6LM will be the same dimensions of an overseas made YB6LM. Once you strap in a gel or AGM battery and put your battery tender lead on and the side cover, your done with it. Some folks will wrap black vynil tape around the battery to hide the bright yellow case color. (yes, I do that when I use them) I have the Motobatt's in 6 of my 7 bikes so far. They are good stuff!

Okay, thanks. I'm in Canada but my neighbour has a mailbox just over the border, I'll get the address and have you ship it there. I'll send you a private pm, Thanks.


Tri750

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Reply #11 on: February 18, 2013, 05:56:11 am
Best to call me at the shop Tuesday. 559-292-2269
For forum members I'll do 90.00 and ship UPS ground free. If you're within Cali, we can't avoid the sales tax.
Current bikes:
'71 BMW R75/5 racer
'73 Kaw Z1 racer
'77 Tri 750 Bonneville
'99 BMW R1100RT


gremlin

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Reply #12 on: February 18, 2013, 01:03:58 pm
I'm happy with this AGM battery in my B5 for $52 (free shipping).

and you won't have to wrap it with black tape !!!   ;D ;D ;D

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atzelaner

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Reply #13 on: February 18, 2013, 02:54:48 pm
Thanks for the info on the battery, I contacted MotoBatt and according to them the replacement for the OEM battery installed on the C5's is the Motobatt MBTX14AU 12V 16.5Ah Motorcycle Battery. It is a littler higher than the MB12U, but it should fit.
I will install the Motobatt in my bike because it seems that they are a much safer battery in case you drop it.


Tri750

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Reply #14 on: February 18, 2013, 08:43:11 pm
your 52.00 AGM weighs in at 10.2 lbs. the Motobatt weighs 11.
I guess if cost were the real factor you would get an agm on ebay. I think you can find one for 35.00 or so.
the extra pound? that's the lead plates your not getting with the 52.00 battery. to compare apples to apples, check out the Texas Battery Shootout article previously mentioned in this thread.
Current bikes:
'71 BMW R75/5 racer
'73 Kaw Z1 racer
'77 Tri 750 Bonneville
'99 BMW R1100RT