Varta YTX20L-4 12V 18Ah 270A is a motorcycle starter battery with standard JIS code (the one on your bike's original label). Ready to use, sealed and vibration-resistant. Fits any model that takes the same JIS reference — the code your mechanic recognises at a glance.

The Varta YTX20L-4 motorcycle battery (reference 518909027) is the 12 V, 18 Ah and 270 A cold cranking (EN) model from Varta's Powersports AGM Active (formerly Powersports AGM High Performance) range, designed for motorcycles, scooters, quads and personal watercraft. It replaces the original battery in motorcycles with the 175 × 87 × 154 mm format without any modifications: the same 18 Ah capacity and the same terminal layout (positive on the right).
According to our database, the Varta YTX20L-4 is fitted to more than 103 vehicles from brands such as Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi, Moto-Morini, Indian, Honda and Triumph Motorcycles, among others. It is a benchmark option when you need a battery for Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi or other models that use this same format. Added to that list are models from Yamaha, Kawasaki, Hercules, Buell, Laverda, Cagiva Motorcycles and Victory Motorcycles. Not sure whether it is the right one for your motorbike? Check in seconds by entering your registration number in our finder.
Its external dimensions are 175 × 87 × 154 mm. The positive terminal on the right determines which side the cables end up on: it is the detail that causes the most purchasing mistakes, so it is worth checking before ordering. It uses a B00 hold-down, the system that secures it to the vehicle's battery tray. For the replacement to be a direct fit, the space taken by your current battery must respect those three dimensions and the same terminal layout; otherwise adapters will be needed or the hold-down will change.
The Powersports AGM Active series is Varta's AGM motorcycle line that arrives activated and charged from the factory: it fits straight in, with no acid to add and no charging before use. It combines the robustness of AGM (resistance to vibration and to discharges) with the greatest possible ease of installation.
In the new portfolio it also consolidates the former high-performance versions (AGM High Performance), so it covers everything from general use to large-capacity, custom and trail bikes with high cranking demands.
On two wheels, vibration and extreme temperatures take a heavy toll on the battery. This range reinforces the internal plate mounting and seals the unit to withstand that use, delivering the instant burst of cranking power a motorbike or quad engine needs after weeks standing idle. This battery used to belong to Varta's Powersports AGM High Performance range; following the brand's commercial renaming (2025), it forms part of the new Powersports AGM Active series.
A good share of the vehicles on Europe's roads left the factory with a Varta fitted: the brand has spent decades supplying the assembly lines of the leading automotive groups. Fitting a Varta is, in practice, giving the vehicle back the battery its manufacturer intended.
Behind Varta is Clarios, one of the largest manufacturers of starter batteries in the world and a supplier to the assembly lines of numerous car brands. That German engineering heritage translates into reliable starting year after year.
More than 100 manufacturing parameters are checked on every Varta battery before it leaves the plant, a level of rigour that explains why so many workshops and manufacturers trust the brand as their first-choice replacement.
The Varta YTX20L-4 battery comes with a 6-month official warranty from the manufacturer.
If the bike goes unused for long spells, a trickle charger greatly extends the battery's life and prevents sulphation. Storing it somewhere dry and checking the terminals at the start of each season helps it start first time. Motorcycle batteries suffer in the cold and when left idle: in winter, a maintenance charger stops the battery from discharging completely. With this care, it will typically deliver well over several years of service.
Download the official technical sheet for this battery with all the manufacturer data.
Data sheet
Specific References
| Brand | Varta · see all batteries Varta |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer range | Powersports AGM Active (formerly Powersports AGM High Performance) |
| Manufacturer reference (MPN) | 518909027 |
| ETN code | 518909027A512 |
| EAN-13 barcode | 4016987169537 |
| Dimensions (length × width × height) | 175 × 87 × 154 mm (175x87x154) |
The Varta 518909027 fits 103 vehicles. Most searched below:
Guide to replace your motorcycle battery in 10-15 minutes. Motorcycle batteries are light (2-5 kg) and usually need an 8 mm wrench.
Park on a flat surface, switch off the engine and remove the key. Make sure all lights and electrical accessories are off. Wait 1-2 minutes before starting.
On motorcycles it is usually under the seat, in the rear cowl or behind a side panel. Check the manual — access varies a lot between models.
Use the 10 mm wrench to loosen the negative cable nut (black, marked −) and remove the cable from the post. Move it aside so it cannot touch any bodywork.
Repeat with the positive cable (red, marked +). Important: never let a terminal touch metal of the car while the other is still connected.
Loosen the hold-down clamp or the straps that secure it. Lift the battery carefully — typical weight 2-5 kg. Check the terminals are not corroded before fitting the new one.
Place the battery in the same orientation as the old one (positive terminal on the same side). Tighten the hold-down clamp firmly.
Connect the positive (+) terminal first, then the negative (−). Tighten the nuts with the wrench until each terminal does not move. Apply anti-spark grease if you have any.
Close the bonnet. Start the engine to confirm everything works. On cars with Start-Stop or a BMS, you may need to register the battery via OBD so the alternator applies the correct charging profile.
Yes. The YTX20L-4 from Varta uses AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology: a sealed lead-acid battery where the electrolyte is absorbed in a glass-fibre mat. It withstands more charge/discharge cycles than a conventional one, handles heat better and is the required technology for motorcycles with advanced Start-Stop and regenerative braking. Expected lifespan: 5-8 years under normal conditions.
Three ways: 1) enter your number plate in the finder (DGT/DVLA/KBA auto-detect your model and engine); 2) check the "Compatible vehicles" tab on this page, where we list every vehicle verified by our technical team for the YTX20L-4; 3) if you cannot find your model, message us on WhatsApp with brand, model, engine and year — we reply during business hours (Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00 CET).
In most motorcycles it fits in 15-30 minutes with a 10 mm wrench; if the battery is under the seat or in the boot the time can double. See the step-by-step guide on this page. Quick summary: 1) switch off the engine and remove the key; 2) locate the original battery (engine bay, boot or under seat); 3) disconnect the negative (−) terminal first, then the positive (+); 4) loosen the hold-down clamp and remove the old battery; 5) fit the new one in the same orientation — match the polarity shown on the product sheet; 6) connect the positive (+) first, then the negative (−). On motorcycles with Start-Stop or BMS, register the battery via OBD so the alternator applies the correct charging profile.
The official manufacturer warranty for this bike battery is 6 months and covers manufacturing defects. On motorcycles, jet skis and quads, the standard warranty is shorter because long inactive periods accelerate natural sulfation. To extend its lifespan, use a maintenance charger if the bike is parked for more than 2 weeks.
In mainland Spain and Portugal it arrives in 24 h if you order before 17:00 and the battery is in stock — it leaves the same day and arrives the next business day. Afternoon or weekend orders ship the next business day. For Balearics, Canaries and other EU destinations, allow 2-5 days. Shipping cost is calculated in the cart based on destination and service (standard, express, cash on delivery). Tracking number is sent by email + SMS as soon as the parcel ships.
Yes. You have 14 days from delivery to return it. In mainland Spain and Portugal returns are FREE — we cover the return shipping cost via prepaid label. In other EU countries the return shipping cost is the customer's. It must arrive in its original packaging with no signs of installation. If it was defective, the warranty covers replacement even after the 14-day period.
The current price at baterias.com is €92.50 (VAT included; €76.45 excl. VAT), updated every 24 hours. The applicable VAT may vary with the destination country and is confirmed in the cart. Shipping cost is calculated in the cart based on destination and chosen service (standard, express, cash on delivery).
At baterias.com — authorised distributor with real stock, 24h delivery in mainland Spain and Portugal if you order before 17:00, and full manufacturer warranty. Shipping cost is calculated in the cart based on destination and chosen service (standard, express, cash on delivery). Secure payment by card, Bizum, PayPal or bank transfer. If you choose at-home installation, our technician will take the used battery and dispose of it through an authorised collection point.
Expected lifespan of the Varta YTX20L-4 is 5 to 8 years in mild-climate motorcycle use with Start-Stop. In cold regions it drops slightly due to cold-start stress; in very hot regions it also drops because of electrolyte evaporation. To extend its life: avoid deep discharges (headlights on with engine off), have the alternator checked yearly, and keep the battery clean and properly secured.
Dimensions (length × width × height) are 175×87×154 mm — also written as 175x87x154 mm — following the European DIN standard. Always measure the space in your motorcycle before buying: even one extra millimetre can prevent the hold-down clamp from closing. The height shown includes the terminals.
It weighs 5,9 kg. Most of the weight is lead. If you plan to fit it yourself, use gloves and a carrying strap (AGM batteries are slightly heavier than conventional due to the absorbent glass-mat fibre).
Nominal capacity 18 Ah[?cca: and [cold-cranking amps 270 A]] at 12 V. Ah measure the total energy available (autonomy); CCA (also written A in cold or EN under the European standard) measure the instantaneous power to crank the starter motor. A battery with more CCA starts better in winter; one with more Ah keeps accessories on for longer.
Three options to confirm: 1) enter your number plate in the finder (DGT/DVLA/KBA auto-detect your model and engine); 2) check the "Compatible vehicles" tab on this page, where we list every vehicle verified by our technical team; 3) if you cannot find your model, message us on WhatsApp with brand, model, engine and year — we reply during business hours (Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00 CET). The YTX20L-4 fits 103 verified vehicle versions in our database.
Directly interchangeable batteries (same dimensions, same polarity, same Ah and CCA) are the OEM equivalents from leading brands: Bosch, Tudor, Exide and, depending on the model, Banner or Yuasa. Exact equivalence depends on technology — an EFB cannot be replaced with a conventional battery in Start-Stop motorcycles. See the "Equivalents" section to view recommended options at the same performance level.
This battery and its equivalents from Bosch, Tudor or Exide are technically comparable: same dimensions, same voltage and same capacity. The differences are warranty (Varta and Bosch: 2 years; Tudor and Exide: 2 years on the equivalent line), manufacturing plant (Varta and Bosch share origin in the Clarios Group; Tudor and Exide belong to Exide Technologies) and price. For private use any of these brands will give 4-6 years of life. Compare them in the "Equivalents" section.
The average rating of the Varta YTX20L-4 on baterias.com is 4.76/5 from 35 verified customer reviews. The product rating, when available, is shown on the product page next to the stars. You can also check our public Trustpilot profile at shop level (4.5/5 from 11,327+ verified reviews). Most-praised points: reliable cold start, lifespan above 5 years and fast delivery; most common complaints mention BMS-equipped motorcycles that need OBD registration after fitting.
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