Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Motorcycle Batteries, Who's running one?

[Bonaventure]

Lighter weight, longer charge retention, greatly reduced likelihood of leaking especially in angled installations (like the Stelvio...).  What's not to like?  Anyone running an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery? 

[pehayes]

Nothing but in a variety of Guzzi.  Even my old 6-volt Falcone.  I routinely get 8 to 10 years of life.  Right now I have AGM in EV, EV, SPII, Falcone, Subaru.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[ChuckH]

I have an AGM battery installed in my Beemer R-Bike.  Bought it at the local Batteries Plus Bulbs store last January.  Seems to do the job very well.  This battery came with a 24 month free replacement warranty.

[zebraranger]

Lighter weight, longer charge retention, greatly reduced likelihood of leaking especially in angled installations (like the Stelvio...).  What's not to like?  Anyone running an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery?

I've been using them for the last several years with no issues, good batteries.

[Chesterfield]

Go Lithium and don`t look back, it`s worth it just for size and 1/4 the weight.

[Triple Jim]

I run inexpensive AGM batteries in my Mille, my '72 H2, and my Ninja 250.  They seem to last at least as long as the old "flooded" batteries, and don't risk spilling acid.  Just watch out for high charge voltages, which can cause AGMs to vent and lose the little electrolyte they have.

[Bonaventure]

Go Lithium and don`t look back, it`s worth it just for size and 1/4 the weight.

Don;t Lithium batteries have a risk of catching on fire from internal shorts if they drop below a certain charge threshold?  I realize they have protective circuitry to prevent under charge condition form happening, but that Telsa car that caught fire and burned to a crisp made me wonder.  Or was that incident debunked? 

[waxi]

Is it really simple as that? AFAIK, AGM need higher voltage for charging but lower float voltage. Voltage regulator is not designed that way. Heat from our air-cooled engines can also shorten their life span.

From BatteryUniversity:

As with all gelled and sealed units, AGM batteries are sensitive to overcharging. A charge to 2.40V/cell (and higher) is fine; however, the float charge should be reduced to between 2.25 and 2.30V/cell (summer temperatures may require lower voltages). Automotive charging systems for flooded lead acid often have a fixed float voltage setting of 14.40V (2.40V/cell); a direct replacement with a sealed unit could overcharge the battery on a long drive.

AGM and other sealed batteries do not like heat and should be installed away from the engine compartment. Manufacturers recommend halting charge if the battery core reaches 49°C (120°F).

[Wayne Orwig]

Lighter weight, longer charge retention, greatly reduced likelihood of leaking especially in angled installations (like the Stelvio...).  What's not to like?  Anyone running an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery?

My Centauro, my EV and my Stelvio came from the factory with AGM. The factory EV AGM battery lasted 12 years. So the regulation is fine. What is not to like.

Not sure where you get the 'lighter weight' info though. My understanding is that the glass mat allows them to compress the lead more, thus get a bit more lead in them. So more weight if anything, I would think.

And unlike lithium, they work well in the cold.

[guzzisteve]

This is what I have in the EV, the last one was 14yrs old. Cost $110

http://www.sunxtender.com/solarbattery.php?id=1

This is what's in Cali 2 Sidehack, Chinese, cost similar to USA made

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sladc12=35j

This one is in the 67' V700, at 5yrs old I have to charge it if I don't ride the bike in 3mo

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/huskee-lawn-tractor-battery-gt-xhd

[tonyduc]

I have had two. One lasted at least 5 seasons, about the same as an acid battery. I kept it charged during off season. Second has been on bike 6 months. I prefer these to  both acid and Li batteries. Has better crank power than Li and no acid leaking, unlike Li battery you can use a regular battery tender.

[Turin]

Got one in my Quota and one tona RS. Seem to last about 5 to six years for me.

[pehayes]

I have only one knock on AGM and it isn't enough to stop me from using them.  'Regular' batteries gradually weaken and give you some time to diagnose issues and sort out a good replacement unit.  In my experience, AGM batteries have binary performance.  They work perfectly and then they don't at all.  There is no gradual decline.  I even had one failure that happened within minutes.  Rode to work. Fine.  Rode out to lunch.  Fine. Came out from the store I visited and nada.  Not a single electron to be had.  I've owned more than a dozen in 20 years and only had such a failure twice.  All the other benefits far outweigh this slight risk.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Murray]

I have only one knock on AGM and it isn't enough to stop me from using them.  'Regular' batteries gradually weaken and give you some time to diagnose issues and sort out a good replacement unit.  In my experience, AGM batteries have binary performance.  They work perfectly and then they don't at all.  There is no gradual decline.  I even had one failure that happened within minutes.  Rode to work. Fine.  Rode out to lunch.  Fine. Came out from the store I visited and nada.  Not a single electron to be had.  I've owned more than a dozen in 20 years and only had such a failure twice.  All the other benefits far outweigh this slight risk.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Its probably more about how electronic ignitions work rather than the battery, below a certain voltage they simply shut down where points will continue to give a crap weak spark which may be enough to get the motor started. Although its not enough to make me even consider running points just in case.

[Rough Edge racing]

I have only one knock on AGM and it isn't enough to stop me from using them.  'Regular' batteries gradually weaken and give you some time to diagnose issues and sort out a good replacement unit.  In my experience, AGM batteries have binary performance.  They work perfectly and then they don't at all.  There is no gradual decline.  I even had one failure that happened within minutes.  Rode to work. Fine.  Rode out to lunch.  Fine. Came out from the store I visited and nada.  Not a single electron to be had.  I've owned more than a dozen in 20 years and only had such a failure twice.  All the other benefits far outweigh this slight risk.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

 Exactly my experience... I used AGM on the race bikes, they have total loss electrical.....The battery would be fine and then nothing....I'm now using small lightweight Lithium-iron in the races bikes and my two street bikes...The bikes sit more than they are ridden....See how the batteries perform over the years.

[rtbickel]

Getting ready to buy the 2nd replacement Odyssey for the 02 California.   It came with one in late 2001.  Not bad for 16 years.  But they dont appear to have one for the 1400, which also went clickety-click today when I went to start it.  Both started just fine last weekend. 

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I’m running an AGM battery in my 1976 Convert with the relatively weak stock charging system, works well so far. 

[willard]

Just got a Yuasa AGM for my breva and I am very happy so far. It starts up amazingly well, even in cold.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I�m running an AGM battery in my 1976 Convert with the relatively weak stock charging system, works well so far.

 :1: Big Crank (Deka) ETX30L in mine. Plenty of reserve power. Only change to the charging system was a solid-state voltage regulator.

The "maintenance-free" (sealed lead-acid?) AC-Delco 55-6 in my '69 Ambo will be 13 years old in May. The "Delco eye" is still green and it spins the old Bosch starter motor like there's no tomorrow. Never been on a charger or maintainer. Wish they still made them...

[Kiwi_Roy]

I think you should rephrase the question to

Who is not running an AGM?
I can't imagine anyone going with wet cells these days

I assume we are talking the battery that comes with 6 bottles of acid that you upend into the battery

Perhaps another question could be who commissions there own battery (adding the acid and giving it the initial charge)

[Arizona Wayne]

I think you should rephrase the question to

Who is not running an AGM?
I can't imagine anyone going with wet cells these days

I assume we are talking the battery that comes with 6 bottles of acid that you upend into the battery

Perhaps another question could be who commissions there own battery (adding the acid and giving it the initial charge)

I still run wet cell rider mower batteries in my CX & Convert. for 4-5 years because they cost less and hardly ever need to be charged.     Both bikes have Dyna ignition   All my other rigs have AGM batteries but so far I have not found them to last as long as previous wet cell batteries.    I recharge the AGMs as needed to keep them happy.

[swooshdave]

I think you should rephrase the question to

Who is not running an AGM?
I can't imagine anyone going with wet cells these days

In any battery thread there are always a bunch who apparently are running K-Mart lawn tractor batteries.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I still run wet cell rider mower batteries in my CX & Convert. for 4-5 years because they cost less and hardly ever need to be charged.     Both bikes have Dyna ignition   All my other rigs have AGM batteries but so far I have not found them to last as long as previous wet cell batteries.    I recharge the AGMs as needed to keep them happy.

You must be doing something wrong. <shrug> An AGM normally doesn't need to be charged, but when it does, it needs to be blasted with 10 amps or so (from memory) for an hour or so.. after it has been discharged. The owner's manual of your AGM will tell you all about it.
I don't let a garden tractor battery near my bikes. I've seen the effects of acid fumes and spills from the vents way too many times.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

You must be doing something wrong. <shrug> An AGM normally doesn't need to be charged, but when it does, it needs to be blasted with 10 amps or so (from memory) for an hour or so.. after it has been discharged. The owner's manual of your AGM will tell you all about it.
I don't let a garden tractor battery near my bikes. I've seen the effects of acid fumes and spills from the vents way too many times.

 :1:

[webmost]

Lighter weight, longer charge retention, greatly reduced likelihood of leaking especially in angled installations (like the Stelvio...).  What's not to like?  Anyone running an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery?

Me... all four bikes and all their predecessors since they invented the things.no probs. Main advantages no acid in a tip over.

[Arizona Wayne]

You must be doing something wrong. <shrug> An AGM normally doesn't need to be charged, but when it does, it needs to be blasted with 10 amps or so (from memory) for an hour or so.. after it has been discharged. The owner's manual of your AGM will tell you all about it.
I don't let a garden tractor battery near my bikes. I've seen the effects of acid fumes and spills from the vents way too many times.

We've been thru this before.  I live in a dry climate where rust is not an issue nor is really cold temps.  I have never had any acid issues from  wet cell batteries like you guys have.    As far  as charging  AGM batteries I don't wait 'til their flat.  I trickle charge them when they get down to say 12.4V. Clocks  on them is what drains them down.

If you want to kill your batteries fast, charge them with too many amps.  That warps the lead plates and then they short out.   My charger only goes up to 2 - 6 amps.  Except for my wet cell batteries, all the AGM batteries are too small to take any more than 2 amps at once.

[Bulldog9]

My GRiSO came with a YUASA AGM battery, and when it died last year, I replaced it with the same. I talked to the PO who said it was the original, so 9-10 years is pretty good. I think the Norge has one as well. I also run them in my cars, and have had great luck so far, particularly if the vehicle sits. I parked my Jeep in March, and went on a little trip to Afghanistan, got back a few weeks ago, hopped in, turned the key and started right up, not even weak.

[John Ulrich]

I've had an Odyssey in my Ambo since 2002....yes, 15 years!

[Bonaventure]

My GRiSO came with a YUASA AGM battery, and when it died last year, I replaced it with the same. I talked to the PO who said it was the original, so 9-10 years is pretty good. I think the Norge has one as well. I also run them in my cars, and have had great luck so far, particularly if the vehicle sits. I parked my Jeep in March, and went on a little trip to Afghanistan, got back a few weeks ago, hopped in, turned the key and started right up, not even weak.

So it's likely then that the factory battery in my Stelvio is probably AGM? 

[twhitaker]

Odysseus PC545 in all 3 of my bikes.