Scorpion YTZ7S Battery Installed

[SpudRider]

After riding my bike for 24,500 miles, the stock, Yuasa, YB7-A battery finally failed in my Zong. The YB7-A was a good battery, but it was not really the correct size for my Zongshen 200GY-2 motorcycle. The YB7-A is a little too tall, and both the electrolyte overflow tube, and the terminals, are located in the wrong positions for the Zong battery box. Therefore, a Zong owner is required to rotate the YB7-A battery, and fabricate a longer, positive, battery cable.



Since the Zong employs the same airbox/battery holder as the Yamaha TW200 motorcycle, the Zong should come equipped with a smaller, Yuasa, YB7C-A battery.



Nevertheless, for almost two years, the YB7-A battery did a good job for me. However, once the stock battery started to fail, I decided to install a smaller, lighter, maintenance-free battery, the Yuasa YTZ7S.

Searching the internet for the best price, I discovered the Scorpion brand of batteries sold at BatteryStuff.com. The best price I found for a Yuasa/Motocross YTZ7S battery was $79.95; however, the Scorpion SYTZ7S battery was priced at $47.00, delivered!

http://www.batterystuff.com/batterie...le/sYTZ7S.html

Several riders on other forums had posted good reports concerning the Scorpion batteries, so I decided to give one a try. I ordered the Scorpion battery from BatteryStuff.com on a Monday, and it arrived two days later, on a Wednesday!

Spud

[SpudRider]

However, after it arrived, my new, Scorpion battery only showed a charge of 11.6 volts. :( After charging the Scorpion battery overnight on my trickle charger, it registered 12.75 volts on my multimeter. I installed the new, Scorpion battery, but it would not start my Zong. :( Therefore, I reinstalled my Yuasa YB7-A battery, and contacted BatteryStuff.com.

At this point, I was ready to exchange my Scorpion battery for a genuine, Yuasa/Motocross battery. :roll: However, the people at BatteryStuff.com assured me that Scorpion batteries are well made, so I agreed to accept another Scorpion SYTZ7S battery. Once again showing good customer service, BatteryStuff.com shipped my replacement battery that same day, on a Thursday, and my battery arrived the next Monday.

This time the Scorpion battery was fully charged, at 13.03 volts. I installed the new battery, and my Zong quickly started right up. I am now prepared to test the quality of this battery, and to see how long it lasts. Needless to say, I will report my findings to the members of these forums.

Spud

[SpudRider]

The stock, Yuasa, YB7-A battery provides 90 cca; the replacement, Scorpion, SYTZ7S battery provides 130 cca. The SYTZ7S battery is also much smaller, and lighter, than the stock, YB7-A battery.





Using my bathroom scale, I determined the YB7-A battery weighs approximately 6.25 pounds; the SYTZ7S battery weighs approximately 4.0 pounds. Therefore, I gained 40 cca, and my Zong lost another 2.25 pounds by switching to the SYTZ7S battery!

The Scorpion battery came with some styrofoam packing material, so I used a piece of it to firmly wedge the smaller battery into the Zong’s battery box.



If the motorcycle’s charging systems is good, any well-made, AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery should last about eight years. Therefore, I decided to save some money, and experiment with the Scorpion battery.

I am very pleased with the good customer service I received from BatteryStuff.com. My new Scorpion battery has a one-year, replacement warranty.

http://www.batterystuff.com/knowledg...&id=9&relid=11

Spud

[Cal25]

I like the gell type batteries for this type of use. They truly are maintenance free. Also, in an offroad aplication wher the bike can be dropped occaisionally, the gell wont spill and make a mess.
Not sure what any downsides to this type of battery would be except maybe the cost being a bit higher then conventional batteries.
Thanks for the review and keep us updated.

[katoranger]

Well the cost here was pretty good for any battery. I was surprised that the factory china battery in my lifan lasted for 3 years. I still have it.

Sounds like they shipped the one out of a 1000 that is defective.

Allen

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

Well the cost here was pretty good for any battery. I was surprised that the factory china battery in my lifan lasted for 3 years. I still have it.

Sounds like they shipped the one out of a 1000 that is defective.

Allen

Indeed, I got a great deal on this battery for a price of $47, delivered. The people at BatteryStuff seemed surprised that I got a bad Scorpion battery; they said they test their batteries before they ship them, but my bad battery just slipped past them.

I reason that all decent AGM batteries are manufactured with similar materials. Also, if the AGM battery is delivered in good condition, I figure one brand should last as long as another. :roll: Perhaps I am wrong in my assumptions, but I am willing to test my theory with the Scorpion battery. After all, I do own a Chinese motorcycle, and I am very happy I took a chance on my Zong! Therefore, I will take a similar chance on the Scorpion battery. The people at BatteryStuff delivered both batteries promptly, and they offer great customer service. I am also comforted by the one-year, replacement warranty offered on all their batteries.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Cal25

...Thanks for the review and keep us updated.

You're welcome, Cal. Indeed, I plan to keep everyone updated regarding both the performance, and the longevity of my Scorpion battery.

Spud

[SpudRider]

I have been riding with my Scorpion YTZ7S battery for several days, so I thought I would post a short-term update.

So far, the Scorpion battery is working very well! This little battery has a lot of cranking power, and it easily starts my Zong, whether the engine is cold, or hot. The smaller Scorpion battery also facilitates the installation of my Zong's saddle.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Here is the final update; the Scorpion YTZ7S battery has died! 8O :( After I rode with the Scorpion replacement battery for about 6 weeks, it failed completely, showing 0.0 volts on my voltmeter! :mad: I called BatteryStuff.com and exchanged my Scorpion battery for a Motocross/Yuasa YTZ7S battery.

Based upon my experience, I would not buy another Scorpion battery. :( However, I am very pleased with the customer service I have received from BatteryStuff.com.

Spud

[SpudRider]

I was reading about motorcycle batteries today, so I decided it was time to update this thread. I am pleased to report my Motocross/Yuasa YTZ7S battery performed very well for the rest of the riding season last year. I removed the battery from my Zong just before Christmas, and took it inside my home for the winter. My Motocross/Yuasa battery is still in very good condition, and it is holding its charge very well. I am pleased with this battery, and I can cheerfully recommend it to others.

Spud

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the update Spud. I'm not surprised to hear about how well the new battery performed for you. A Yuasa battery was the only one that would last in my Vespa when I was a kid; all the others just slowly died.