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The Buell XB12 family (XB12S Lightning, XB12R Firebolt, XB12X Ulysses) all take the same battery: a YTX14-BS, a 12V/12Ah sealed AGM unit rated around 200 CCA. That single spec means the same battery works across the whole XB12 lineup — the differences between the brands below come down to chemistry (AGM vs. gel vs. lithium), warranty length, and price rather than fitment.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuasa YTX14-BS (OEM-spec AGM) | $70-$100 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Mighty Max Battery YTX14-BS AGM | $30-$40 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Mighty Max Battery YTX14-BS Lithium | $70-$90 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Chrome Battery YTX14-BS iGel | $45-$60 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | PowerStar YTX14-BS AGM | $35-$45 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | ExpertPower YTX14-BS AGM | $30-$40 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | UPG/Kinetik APTX14 | $35-$45 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Yuasa YTX14-BS (OEM-spec AGM)
Yuasa is the OEM battery supplier this spec was built around, and it’s the reference point every aftermarket YTX14-BS is measured against.
- 12V 12Ah
- 200 CCA
- Sealed maintenance-free AGM
- OEM-spec reliability and the reference cell for the YTX14-BS standard
- Priced above most aftermarket AGM alternatives for the same spec
Mighty Max Battery YTX14-BS AGM
A budget-friendly sealed AGM replacement built to the same YTX14-BS spec, explicitly listed as compatible with the Buell XB12S, XB12R, and XB12X.
- 12V 12Ah
- 200 CCA
- Sealed AGM
- Lower price than OEM Yuasa for the same voltage/capacity/CCA spec
- Shorter track record for long-term durability than Yuasa OEM
Mighty Max Battery YTX14-BS Lithium
A lithium (LiFePO4) drop-in upgrade in the same YTX14-BS form factor, for riders who want a lighter battery with faster cranking.
- LiFePO4 chemistry
- YTX14-BS form factor
- Lighter than AGM equivalent
- Significant weight savings over lead-acid AGM in the same case size
- Higher upfront cost than any AGM option here; lithium motorcycle batteries can also underperform AGM in very cold weather without a warmer
Chrome Battery YTX14-BS iGel
A gel-cell YTX14-BS with a built-in LED display that shows charge status at a glance.
- Gel-cell chemistry
- LED charge-status display
- YTX14-BS spec
- Charge-status display is a genuinely useful feature none of the other options here include
- Gel cells are generally less tolerant of deep discharge than AGM
PowerStar YTX14-BS AGM
A mid-tier AGM replacement, also sold as a compatible cross-reference for the FTX14-BS spec.
- 12V 12Ah
- Sealed AGM
- FTX14-BS cross-compatible
- Reasonable middle ground between Mighty Max’s budget pricing and Yuasa’s OEM pricing
- Less brand recognition than Yuasa or Mighty Max
ExpertPower YTX14-BS AGM
A maintenance-free AGM battery sold under the ETX14-BS designation, explicitly rated for powersport applications including motorcycles.
- 12V 14Ah
- 220 CCA
- Sealed maintenance-free AGM
- Slightly higher rated Ah and CCA than the base YTX14-BS spec
- Marketed broadly across ATV/UTV/scooter use, so motorcycle-specific reviews are thinner than dedicated brands
UPG/Kinetik APTX14
Universal Power Group’s Kinetik-branded replacement, sold under the newer APTX14 part number that superseded their older UTX14-BS SKU.
- 12V
- YTX14-BS equivalent spec
- Sealed AGM
- Widely cross-referenced against the YTX14-BS standard by battery retailers
- Part-number change (UTX14-BS to APTX14) can cause confusion when searching older listings
Buying tips
- All Buell XB12 variants (Lightning, Firebolt, Ulysses) share the same YTX14-BS spec, so fitment isn’t the deciding factor — chemistry and budget are.
- AGM is the safe default; gel is a reasonable alternative; lithium is the lightest option but check your riding climate before committing, since cold-weather cranking is where lithium can lag AGM without a battery warmer.
- Always match polarity and terminal orientation to your stock battery tray before ordering — YTX14-BS is a standard case size, but always confirm against your bike’s original battery.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.