14thumper

So far it fired right up, nice and easy. I’ll see how it does over time and update.

I wasn’t looking at any lead-in-acid style batteries. I realize there’s a couple styles of AGM (either the factory adds the acid or you do) but with AGM I don’t believe there’s any way for acid to drip because it’s absorbed into the glass mat and not susceptible to leaking. Well that’s my understanding anyway. I’ll keep an eye on it. The battery I got is made by SigmasTek.

I picked up a battery from batteryshark.com for $35 shipped. It’s on my 1A charger so I’ll give it a go tomorrow most likely. Big price difference between that and Yuasa. All my bikes are always on a charger so hopefully this will last a few years.

Good responses, thank you. I always plug the battery on a maintainer (I use the Yuasa 1A units) as I have x4 bikes, so they don’t all get ridden weekly. I purchased my VFR new in December 2016 but it’s a 2014 so I have no idea if battery sat. They assured me it was a new battery but I also rode it back to the Bay Area from LA right after purchase, no slow charge. For any new battery I purchase I absolutely do the slow charge before riding. I’m really tempted to try the Mighty Max. My main concerns are wasting the $35 on a battery that will die quickly and potential issues with the battery that are far worse than spending $100 more (such as leaking).

Looks like my OEM battery bit the dust. Strange, my tender says it’s ok (I can’t find my meter to verify) but I hit the crank button and everything just shuts off after a loud click and no more electricity. I did try to jump start the bike and it worked but it ran horribly and I think was misfiring so I turned it off after a few min. Anyway, the OEM battery is $140 but I see batteries like Mighty Max brand with similar CCA for about $35, much less. Has anyone tried those? If I need to go with Yuasa or OEM fine, but if these cheaper batteries work decent then I prefer to save a little $. Thanks

I received the OEM panniers today. I'm actually not impressed. They arrived with a few minor scratches (they are supposed to be new) and they don't appear to close properly no matter how careful I try to close them. Is the uneven closing standard for these? I never had this issue with my FJR or ST1300 in the past.

It’s exactly as the name implies, it’s a quick shifter. You can upshift with open throttle without using the clutch. As I stated it’s OEM which means it’s a Honda part, not universal. It’s designed for this bike and is very easy to install, plugs right in.

Why didn't you post this in the 8th gen section? Sorry, I'm just confused...

Honda OEM. Sure, maybe better filters exist but I sleep well at night with OEM filters on all my bikes and Mobil 1 synthetic motorcycle oil in the pan.

I'm fairly local to you so maybe I'll see in person someday. I don't think the OEM switch looks all that bad. Sure, probably better ways to mount it but I never really notice it while riding so I figure it's ok as-is. If I were to change anything it would be the funky way they setup the turn signals and how I keep honking the damn horn lol.

Oh sweet, thank you so much!!! Now I know that I only need to order x2 of the lock inner sets, saves me some $$.

Well, I may end up getting the OEM panniers anyway. Wish they were a tad bigger but I prefer the seamless integration. I'm a bit confused by the Honda website. Do I need to order both the key cylinder inner set PLUS the key body parts (x2 of each I assume)? According to Honda's website, it just states I need to order the key cylinder inner set. I don't see much clarification in the instructions although I might have missed it.

If you’re interested in the OEM quickshifter I have one that was removed after about 200 miles. Shoot me a PM if you’re interested it’s basically new, no damage. I’m in N. California.

Are there any other panniers out there that will fit the 8th gen without some huge bracket that will hold helmets? I'm guessing OEM is the only integrated one. It would still be nice to have but not sure it's worth the $ since the main purpose is to hold the helmets on 'date rides'.

Thanks for the reply... Seems like a bust, I mean they look huge on the bike but the main reason is for rides with the lady so she doesn't have to carry the helmet all over the place and if she buys something we can take it home (no helmet in the side bag on the ride back). Ugh, I really wanted these to work...