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[GregMan]

Looking for feedback on quality batteries riders have used in replacement of HD batteries.  I am tired of swapping my batteries out after 2 years despite keeping them on tenders and having a heated garage for my bikes.....  is it me.. am i the only one having this issue.... if you have had good luck with an alternative battery source, please let me know.... thanks and cheers!

Special thanks to everyone that commented and gave me some ideas for an alternative battery..... CHEERS and ride safe!!

[geezerglide]

I still stuck with HD and picked up the HD Lithium Battery as have Lithium Batteries in my BMWs and still had a OPTIMAX Lithium Charger. There are many Lithium batters that fir Harleys just make sure they to fit the battery posts and will fit into the battery compartment without any filler pieces. As they are a lot smaller and very much lighter, good thing and have a lot more CCA.

geezerglide

[Homer 661]

I've had good luck with these .... https://www.chapmoto.com/yuasa-gyz-series-battery-parent-358-1371

[SIKBIRD]

Looking for feedback on quality batteries riders have used in replacement of HD batteries.  I am tired of swapping my batteries out after 2 years despite keeping them on tenders and having a heated garage for my bikes.....  is it me.. am i the only one having this issue.... if you have had good luck with an alternative battery source, please let me know.... thanks and cheers!

I was out of town on my bike when the battery died at supper one night, luckily there was an advance auto just down the street from the restaurant so with no other options, I bought the battery from them...that was 4 years ago and that battery is still going strong but I do keep it on a tender most of the time.

[d3v1ld0g]

I live in Chicago. I bought a battery at O’Reilly’s in 2015. Keep it on the tender all winter. It started up fine this year. I was just gonna get a new one because of the age.

[J.D.]

I was told HD switched vendors maybe 6 or so years back and the new ones are failing faster.  I bought a Deka online which I was told is both a better quality battery than OE and is also less expensive.

[skratch]

from what i understand, deka is the mfg for hd oem.

[Fired00d]

from what i understand, deka is the mfg for hd oem.

That is my understanding also. I purchased a Deka back in 2015 that is still going strong - Deka ETX30L. Here is a thread I did back in "15 when I was gathering info - Deka (Big Crank ETX 30L) vs AGM Duracell Ultra - Longevity/Reliability like the OP I was fed up w/the lack of quality in H-D batteries. Even though Deka is the mfg for H-D batteries there is a big difference in quality.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[J.D.]

Interesting.  Source of my info was the local dealer 😂.

Maybe that's part of the lithium battery sales pitch.

[SDCVO]

I used to go through batteries every 2 years as well. Got a Antigravity LI battery 4 years ago and still going strong. No doubt crazy expensive but also turns over the bike like a Honda which I love

[iski]

That is my understanding also. I purchased a Deka back in 2015 that is still going strong - Deka ETX30L. Here is a thread I did back in "15 when I was gathering info - Deka (Big Crank ETX 30L) vs AGM Duracell Ultra - Longevity/Reliability like the OP I was fed up w/the lack of quality in H-D batteries. Even though Deka is the mfg for H-D batteries there is a big difference in quality.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

X2.

And - when the bike is parked the battery tender is hooked up. 

[fos41]

Replaced my weak O.E. H.D. battery with  Yuasa GYZ32HL 500 cca`s vs 420 CCA factory H.D. came on my on a C.V.O. nearly 3 years if use and battery tender regularly, still as strong and when installed.

[Twolanerider]

Replaced my weak O.E. H.D. battery with  Yuasa GYZ32HL 500 cca`s vs 420 CCA factory H.D. came on my on a C.V.O. nearly 3 years if use and battery tender regularly, still as strong and when installed.

I put that battery, actually two of those batteries, in my Road Glide and my Road King.  The one in the Road King wouldn't start the bike a couple months ago (March sometime).  It was just over 3.5 years old and had lived on a tender when not in use.  I'm not complaining about close to four years for a battery.  Out of caution when the one failed I put new batteries in both though.  Even if batteries are something more expensive than cheap to buy they are still cheap compared to road service or trying to push several hundred pounds of Road Glide.

When the Road King's battery crapped out I didn't want to wait that day so went to the local Battery Outfitters store.  Just got the biggest thing they had.  Something called a "MotoBatt" with yada yada yada.  It's bright yellow and oh so pretty.  It also has battery posts front and rear.  The extra post was actually convenient for some accessory wiring.  Hopefully I'll outlive the new batteries again rather than the other way around!  That's always the goal!

[Fired00d]

X2.

And - when the bike is parked the battery tender is hooked up.

X2 here also.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Twolanerider]

X2 here also.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Admit it.  You're still mad you can no longer get 37 years out of a battery like you did that first one.

[Fired00d]

Admit it.  You're still mad you can no longer get 37 years out of a battery like you did that first one.

May not get the length I did on the original OEM battery but I've gotten twice the time out of current one then I did out of the second OEM battery I purchased... for that I'm happy.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[iski]

May not get the length I did on the original OEM battery but I've gotten twice the time out of current one then I did out of the second OEM battery I purchased... for that I'm happy.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Wonder if anyone has ever color matched the outside of their battery to the color of their bike?  Twolane would know....   

[Twolanerider]

Wonder if anyone has ever color matched the outside of their battery to the color of their bike?  Twolane would know....   

I had one in the red bike (the 05 SEEG) for a couple years.  Got to be a picture here somewhere.  I rattle canned that bitch.

[iski]

I had one in the red bike (the 05 SEEG) for a couple years.  Got to be a picture here somewhere.  I rattle canned that bitch.

Yes. No pic needed.  My faith in stealth chrome, etc. is restored.

[DarkEagle]

my original battery held up pretty good but when time to replace I read aftermarkets were better & cheaper.
not sure if there is one near where you live, but I ordered online for a 10% discount the high rated made in USA grey Duracell Ultra & picked up same day at the local Batteries Plus. I see they even offer a lighter & more durable Lithium now.
Here’s the link for my model to show options: https://www.batteriesplus.com/battery/motorcycle/harley=davidson/cvo-softail-springer-fxstsse3/1584cc/2009#finder-box-top

just remember to check the ground cables to the frame, careful not setting off the alarm under the seat below the gas tins I had to disconnect & clean off corrosion on the ground cables to frame, starts more easier with battery & ACR’s better grounded to frame after bike sitting too long w/o battery tender.

[Finster101]

I have actually had very good luck with Batteries Plus.  4 years plus on the Roadglide and 1 year on the Fatboy both still showing no signs of failure.

[CVO Couple]

Gotten 5 years out of each of 3 HD batteries, got 2 new Dekas have to wait and see on those.

[DarkEagle]

I have actually had very good luck with Batteries Plus.  4 years plus on the Roadglide and 1 year on the Fatboy both still showing no signs of failure.

I’ve had good luck with Batteries Plus also.

I don’t ride much & still need a battery tender, but my original HD battery lasted about 10 years and still running fine on the Duracell Ultra from Batteries Plus I replaced it with about 3 years ago.

[Twolanerider]

I’ve had good luck with Batteries Plus also.

I don’t ride much & still need a battery tender, but my original HD battery lasted about 10 years and still running fine on the Duracell Ultra from Batteries Plus I replaced it with about 3 years ago.

Trusting a battery anything close to 10 years would freak me out.  Unlike the batteries of (most of) our youth that would fade off in to the sunset and give some hint as they died these sealed AGM batteries tend to work fine than very quickly crap out.  So little effective warning.  That can suck when you're on the road or even away just away from the house. 

Service calls are expensive.  These bikes are TOO HEAVY to push around much.  Sitting in some random parking lot just sucks (unless you're a phone addicted thistle-whicker who plays Candy Crush for two hours waiting for road service to show up and give you a jump and never even notices the passage of time.)

The goal (for me) is not to see how many years a battery can be pushed to.  The goal (for me) is to hopefully use the battery long enough to be satisfied it's done a job but replace it before it bites me in the ass.  Because I don't play Candy Crush.

[DarkEagle]

Twolanerider, you make a good point & something I need to keep in mind more on maintenance.

...but then thinking of the experiences I’ve dealt with the local dealer & warranty issues not covered by HD, I been bit in the ass far too many times and I don’t play Candy Crush either.

Don’t get me wrong, the exhilaration I get riding my 2009 CVO Springer, I can’t imagine buying any other HD or other brand, still love my bike...

[CVOStreetglide]

Another consideration is the highly debatable value of the “Harley Kickstand Frisbee” that was included with new bikes and is sold over the HD Parts Counter.

It supposedly eliminated the kickstand to concrete dead ground effect which could/would drain batteries. I tried and couldn’t determine any measurable difference in voltage drop with and without the Frisbee.

I have a collection of these in my garage parts drawer and honestly I did get in the habit of sliding one under my stand when parking in my garage and hooking up the tender after a ride. 

Over the years and many bikes, my experience with Harley batteries been great I think primarily due to the Battery Tender and not the HD Frisbee.

Regards

Jerry

[Twolanerider]

It supposedly eliminated the kickstand to concrete dead ground effect which could/would drain batteries. I tried and couldn’t determine any measurable difference in voltage drop with and without the Frisbee.

What?  Had never heard that.  Someone was yanking your chain a bit.  The puck is for days on hot blacktop or soft ground when you might sink in.

[Finster101]

What?  Had never heard that.  Someone was yanking your chain a bit.  The puck is for days on hot blacktop or soft ground when you might sink in.

Roger that.  I usually accomplish the same thing with a beer can.

[iski]

The things I learn from reading this website...

[CVOStreetglide]

The things I learn from reading this website...

The logic is that all of the various grounds on the bike are grounded to the frame and when the kickstand is placed on concrete it draws the voltage down. 

I have seen someone try to charge a car battery after placing it directly on the concrete garage floor and find the battery was still dead as a doughnut after 12 or so hours. Then they place wood under the battery tolift it off of the concrete and it charged up in a few hours.

[mjb765]

Anybody buying the new LI batteries?? And then I need a new tender--right??

[Threephase]

Yes. The new lithium ion battery requires a different battery tender.

[mjb765]

Yes. The new lithium ion battery requires a different battery tender.

That's what I thought.....crap.....I have a nice 2 bike tender too 

[Bobs14Limited]

Another consideration is the highly debatable value of the “Harley Kickstand Frisbee” that was included with new bikes and is sold over the HD Parts Counter.

It supposedly eliminated the kickstand to concrete dead ground effect which could/would drain batteries. I tried and couldn’t determine any measurable difference in voltage drop with and without the Frisbee.

I have a collection of these in my garage parts drawer and honestly I did get in the habit of sliding one under my stand when parking in my garage and hooking up the tender after a ride. 

Over the years and many bikes, my experience with Harley batteries been great I think primarily due to the Battery Tender and not the HD Frisbee.

Regards

Jerry

I seem to remember that Harley used to include one of those jiffy stand frisbees with a CVO bike.
I never did get one.

[iski]

The logic is that all of the various grounds on the bike are grounded to the frame and when the kickstand is placed on concrete it draws the voltage down. 

I have seen someone try to charge a car battery after placing it directly on the concrete garage floor and find the battery was still dead as a doughnut after 12 or so hours. Then they place wood under the battery tolift it off of the concrete and it charged up in a few hours.

Makes sense to me, had not thought of the bike kickstand as ground contact.  BTW - I always use a frisbee when parking the bike in the garage. 

Long time back I worked at a full service gas station - early 1970s.  We never charged a car battery on concrete.  We never stored a battery on concrete - we put them on wood pallets if they were out of the box.  Same reasons you have listed.

[CVODON]

My last three bikes have never sat on the kickstand at home. Always in a Condor. Religiously use a Tender. Battery life has gotten shorter over the years. 05 Bike OE Battery lasted it's life with me, was still in bike when I sold it in 09. 09 Bike OE battery lasted 3.5 years, 15 Bike OE battery lasted 2.5 years, Replaced with Big Crank, it lasted exactly, to the month 3 years. Big Crank never slowed down, drug or had any problem, was fine on Sunday, Dead on Monday, total failure, but I bought another one. HD batteries at least gave some indication of pending failure.
Kickstand definitely had no effect on any of these.

[OBB]

My last three bikes have never sat on the kickstand at home. Always in a Condor. Religiously use a Tender. Battery life has gotten shorter over the years. 05 Bike OE Battery lasted it's life with me, was still in bike when I sold it in 09. 09 Bike OE battery lasted 3.5 years, 15 Bike OE battery lasted 2.5 years, Replaced with Big Crank, it lasted exactly, to the month 3 years. Big Crank never slowed down, drug or had any problem, was fine on Sunday, Dead on Monday, total failure, but I bought another one. HD batteries at least gave some indication of pending failure.
Kickstand definitely had no effect on any of these.

Agree with the kickstand theory. I just don't see how the plastic battery case can be a conductive surface to ground. Maybe years ago something was different but I doubt it. You'd have a ground potential for damn near everything with it in the bike.

Sent from my boring Droid phone.

[KGB]

Agree with the kickstand theory. I just don't see how the plastic battery case can be a conductive surface to ground. Maybe years ago something was different but I doubt it. You'd have a ground potential for damn near everything with it in the bike.

Sent from my boring Droid phone.

You are correct, back in the day you didnt want to store the battery on a cement floor because it would take on moisture, they had glass cells and wooden boxes, if the box warped the glass cells could break, modern day battery's should have no problem on a cement floor, some may say the temperature can cause the battery to discharge faster, may or may not, I never tested it.

[Twolanerider]

You are correct, back in the day you didnt want to store the battery on a cement floor because it would take on moisture, they had glass cells and wooden boxes, if the box warped the glass cells could break, modern day battery's should have no problem on a cement floor, some may say the temperature can cause the battery to discharge faster, may or may not, I never tested it.

Modern batteries are fine on concrete.  In fact it's a good storage for them. 

I grew up hearing the same thing though.  Started working at a gas station in 1971 when I had to carry a milk crate out to the gas island to reach across the car windshields (most of them).  Then it was preached (rightly) not to put a battery on concrete.  Takes a long time to unlearn the lessons of our youth.

[Fired00d]

Modern batteries are fine on concrete.  In fact it's a good storage for them. 

I grew up hearing the same thing though.  Started working at a gas station in 1971 when I had to carry a milk crate out to the gas island to reach across the car windshields (most of them).  Then it was preached (rightly) not to put a battery on concrete.  Takes a long time to unlearn the lessons of our youth.

Oh this was just to easy.... Ok... so what has changed since then... I did read you had taken the Fat Cat off your RG so you do not have to be concerned about standing on tip toes to avoid burning your leg? Just sayin'...

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[iski]

 

[Twolanerider]

Oh this was just to easy.... Ok... so what has changed since then... I did read you had taken the Fat Cat off your RG so you do not have to be concerned about standing on tip toes to avoid burning your leg? Just sayin'...

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

What really sucks is carrying that milk crate along every ride so I can get on and off....

[iski]

 

[Fired00d]

What really sucks is carrying that milk crate along every ride so I can get on and off....

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d