Scorpion Battery YTZ14S

Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
3,357
Age
52
Location
Rindge, NH
Bike
2006 ST1300
I got very embarrassed during our ride last Sunday. With two Harleys in our group, my ST was the only bike with a mechanical issue. We stopped for ice cream and it wouldn't start. I got to push it across the street and down a hill in a parking lot to start it. If next week is as busy as this one, I'll be ordering a new battery. I've procrastinated long enough.

At least they warrantied your Scorpion. They gave me a list of tests to do, which I did, then they wanted me to do more. I told them I already load tested the battery and it failed, but they wanted me to do more testing. I told them to forget it...I really didn't want another Scorpion anyway.
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
3,357
Age
52
Location
Rindge, NH
Bike
2006 ST1300
There are no local suppliers. I did the tests several times- I had done them when I first put the battery in, but tested it again just before e-mailing them. Then then wanted me to test it AGAIN, so I did, and sent them the results. They weren't happy with that, and wanted me to do the same test AGAIN. That is when I gave up on them. I'm an auto technician and know how to test a battery. Scorpion just seemed to be dragging it out...and I had already had to do that because I couldn't be without my transportation while I shipped the battery back (what they originally required of me when I first contacted them).

So to recap, weeks after buying the battery I tested it, it failed, and Scorpion wanted the battery shipped back so they could test it. I couldn't do that at the time.

Test two came this past spring when I was able to park the bike. I tested the battery, e-mailed the results to Scorpion, so I could ship the battery back. Now they didn't want the battery; they asked me to test it AGAIN (two days after my last test).

Test three was in response to Scorpion's last repay, within a few days. I e-mailed them those results, and AGAIN, rather than replace or ship out a battery, they wanted ANOTHER test done...the same tests I had done 3 times already.
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2004
Messages
829
Location
Medina, Tennessee
Bike
2021 Tracer 9GT
STOC #
375
I have found that ST1300s are hard on batteries anyway and the best AGM replacement battery for them is the Power Sonic 230 CCA 12 AH from BatteryWeb.com, $92 delivered. Got my new one Monday. I charged it up completely, THEN did TWO load tests, which it passed,THEN put it in the ST1300 and turned the switch on, it started instantly, cold. Ran the bike for five seconds, THEN shut off the engine and burned the high beams for two minutes.
The machine started instantly. Try this with a Scorpion and you will get nothing but clicks.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
29
Location
SW Michigan
Scorpion Battery journal update: No issues. Bike parked for winter in November. We shall see what the spring 2014 brings.
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2004
Messages
829
Location
Medina, Tennessee
Bike
2021 Tracer 9GT
STOC #
375
Scorpion Battery journal update: No issues. Bike parked for winter in November. We shall see what the spring 2014 brings.
I have found that ST1300s are hard on batteries anyway and the engineers should have made room for a larger battery, like the one on a ST1100. The best AGM replacement battery for the ST1300 in my experience is the Power Sonic 230 CCA 12 AH from BatteryWeb.com, $92 delivered, can get them elsewhere.

Got my new PowerSonic, charged it up completely, THEN did TWO load tests, which it passed,THEN put it in the ST1300 and turned the switch on, it started instantly, cold. Ran the bike for five seconds, THEN shut off the engine and burned the high beams for two minutes.
The machine started instantly.

Try this with a Scorpion and you will get nothing but clicks.

Scorpion Battery YTZ14S works fine on a VFR and other bikes but absolutely sucks in a ST1300.
 
OP
OP
Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
29
Location
SW Michigan
Well crappers......the Scorpion finally bit the dust.

Installed 2/2010....won't hold to the load on 4/2014 and removed it for replacement.

Seems that it's about all I could ask for in this application.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
142
Location
Brookfield, WI
Bike
03 ST1300
My Scorpion lasted just 2 years and I religiously keep it on a battery tender. Look elsewhere for battery. This brand isn't worth it.

You get what you pay for.
 
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
83
Location
Heron Montana
Bike
2008 ST 1300
I got one year out of mine. Bought last fall and used it a little. It was on a tender in winter failed me two weeks ago after bike set a week. Failed again today after bike sat a week.
 
Joined
Oct 14, 2007
Messages
885
Age
59
Location
Halifax, PA
Bike
2006 ST1300
New Scorpion battery on March 1st 2010 at 14059 miles. On Battery Tender almost all the time. Rotated around between 2 bikes and lawn tractor.

Now this spring at 45k miles battery is still good. That's 5 years for $68 shipped.
 

Jerseyst

Official Crown Royal TeSTer
Joined
May 23, 2008
Messages
244
Age
54
Location
jersey
Bike
st 1300
STOC #
8179
Scorpion crapped out after almost a yr and I commute on bike everyday. Junk. Back to yuasa...
 
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
1,024
Location
Canton, GA
Bike
2006 ST1300
My Scorpion is at 4 years and counting. I do put it on a tender when I remember, and it sat for a year while I was away, on a timed tender. Starts and runs well! I'll buy another, If I don't decide to try Chrome Battery this time. (https://www.chromebattery.com/ytx14s-bs-high-performance-power-sports-battery.html). I know there are problems with the Chinese battery in terms of consistent quality, but it appears that USA manufacturers have it to a lesser degree as well ( for much higher prices). The Chrome battery offers an 18 month warranty. I put one in my Helix, and it is working well.
 
Joined
Oct 14, 2007
Messages
885
Age
59
Location
Halifax, PA
Bike
2006 ST1300
Scorpion still good this year, 2 rides in. Thought I had a problem but my Battery Tender JR leads weren't connecting, had to crimp the barrel ends and enlarge the male ends.

Battery bought/installed March 2010 14k miles now almost March 2016 and 50500 miles. Must have got a good one.
 

Paul

Happy Saturday!
Site Supporter
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
707
Location
Hilo Hawaii
Bike
08 ST13 05 VStrom 1K
STOC #
7599
I just ordered a Scorpion for my bike. 59.00 and free shipping to Hawaii is hard to beat.
 

FL-STrider

Roughing it smoothly
Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
124
Age
63
Location
New Port Richey, Florida
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2004 ST1300
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5946
Just went over to www.batterystuff.com and they no longer offer the Scorpian in the YTZ14S size they're offering a "KINETIK" branded battery instead. These are made in China while the "Scorpian" was produced in Vietnam. I'm really bummed as I was getting 4 years of service from this battery. What is sort of odd is they're still offering other size Scorpian batteries.
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
9,263
Location
SF-Oakland CA
Bike
ST1300, 2010
What is sort of odd is they're still offering other size Scorpian batteries.
That does seem odd. Depending on how many models of bikes used that size battery it may not be. The 1100 used a bigger battery. If only the ST1300 and a few other bikes used that size maybe the manufacturer felt its production wasn't justified.
 

FL-STrider

Roughing it smoothly
Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
124
Age
63
Location
New Port Richey, Florida
Bike
2004 ST1300
STOC #
5946
Seems to fit a few models more than just the ST, however who knows how many are still out there....?

BMW HP2 Enduro (2006-2007)
BMW R1200GS Adventure (2009-2013)
Honda 1000cc RVT1000R RC51 (2000-2006)
Honda 1000cc VTR1000F Super Hawk (2001-2005)
Honda 1100cc CB1100 (2010-2013)
Honda 1100cc CBR1100XX (2001-2004)
Honda 1100cc VT1100C Shadow Spirit (1985-1997)
Honda 1100cc VT1100C, C3, T Shadow (Spirit, Aero, A.C.E. Tourer) (1998-2000)
Honda 1100cc VT1100C2 Shadow ACE (1995-1999)
Honda 1200cc VFR1200F (2010-2013)
Honda 1300cc CB1300 Super Four 2013
Honda 1300cc ST1300,A,P (2003-2013)
Honda 1300cc VT1300CS, CR, CXA FURY (2009-2013)
Honda 250cc NSS250 Reflex (2001-2009)
Honda 250cc PS250 Big Ruckus (2005-2006)
Honda 600cc FSC600 Silver Wing (2002-2013)
Honda 680cc DN-01 (2009-2013)
Honda 700cc NT700V (2010-2011)
Honda 700cc NT700V, NC700X (2012-2013)
Honda 700cc VT700C Shadow (1984-1985)
Honda 750cc VT750C Shadow 1983
Honda 750cc VT750C, C2, C2B, RS Shadow (2012-2013)
Honda 750cc VT750C, CA,C2 Shadow Spirit, Aero (2004-2009)
Honda 750cc VT750DC, A, B Shadow Spirit (2001-2007)
Honda 750cc VT750RS, C2B (2010-2011)
Honda 800cc VFR800, A Interceptor, ABS (2002-2013)
KTM 1090 RC8 (2003-2013)
KTM 950cc Superenduro 2009
KTM 990cc Super Duke (2003-2013)
KTM 990cc SuperMoto (2009-2013)
KTM 990cc Supermoto 2010
KTM 990cc Adventure (2003-2013)
Yamaha 1000cc FZS1000 FZ1 (2006-2013)
Yamaha 1300cc XJR1300 (EU) (2007-2013)
Yamaha 1700cc VMax (2009-2013)
Yamaha 950cc XVS95CT, Y, Vstar 950 (2009-2013)
 
OP
OP
Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
29
Location
SW Michigan
Been awhile since I checked or posted on the Scorpion battery life documentary.....Just had one crap out that was installed in Spring 2014. The one prior to that ran from 2010 - 2014.

So, it seems that "3 seasons" (as we are in Michigan here) is about all one can expect from the Scorpion battery.....

Now we look for a replacement.....
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
982
Location
wisconsin
Bike
GL1800 2015
Been awhile since I checked or posted on the Scorpion battery life documentary.....Just had one crap out that was installed in Spring 2014. The one prior to that ran from 2010 - 2014.

So, it seems that "3 seasons" (as we are in Michigan here) is about all one can expect from the Scorpion battery.....

Now we look for a replacement.....
BatterySharks! (I thinks it's the same scorpian...$30.! I think they went up a few bucks! lol ) made in Viet Nam ...mine is going on 3rd yr! ..(Prolly the last!) Didn't think it make it through April...had to jump a couple times...but ever since then fires right up...was $36 shipped when I bought it...how can you beat that?! never trickle charged it Winter...just run it itll it dies and replace!
https://www.batterysharks.com/Honda-1300CC-ST1300-A-P-2003-2005-p/st1300ap_m12-11.2-230-k.htm
 
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