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Jun 28th, 2009, 08:28 PM
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#1 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Villa Park, IL
Posts: 22 Model: 2003 FXDX
| Battery Recommendation
Can anyone recommend a good replacement battery?
I am not happy with the HD batteries. Just bought a new one last year and I already need to re-charge it.
Thanks
Phil | 
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Jun 28th, 2009, 08:52 PM
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#2 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,419
| Re: Battery Recommendation
hd batteries are a good battery. when your not riding during the off months are you keeping a battery tender on it? are the connections good and clean? is your alternator charging as it should be? is the battery itself clean?? have you load tested the battery??
__________________ 
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA, WHILE WE ARE UNDER DISTRESS
"FLAGS AND HANDLEBARS SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE GROUND"
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."  We plan to meet next week to talk about planning a strategy session to discuss the next step towards forming a consensus to start the development of the rough draft for the implementation of our intention to develop a plan.  | |
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Jun 29th, 2009, 04:11 AM
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#3 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nova Scotia,Canada
Posts: 665 Model: '90 FLSTC '03 FLHPI
| Re: Battery Recommendation
Like chuck said, the HD batteries are very good, any battery will discharge over time just sitting, if you take it out of the bike DO NOT store it on concrete. If you didn't have a tender on it over the winter it may need a recharge and should serve you well for the season, I got 6 years out of the HD battery in my softail, this is the second season that bike hasn't been fired up,but I'm hoping to get around to it soon and I'll put the battery on the charger and see how she goes, would be nice if it will hold a charge but with its age and almost 2 years inactive,I'm not expecting it to. | |
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Jun 29th, 2009, 06:19 AM
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#4 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,090 Model: 09 Ultra Classic, 01 Heritage Springer Interests: Motorcycles, camping, fishing, old cars, flintlock muzzleloaders Occupation: Home Inspector
| Re: Battery Recommendation
Another thing to consider is do you have anything installed on the bike that is drawing small amounts of amps off, over time it will kill the battery.
__________________ 
His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.
The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function .... OUR job is to arrange the meeting."
One Nation, One Flag, Love It Or Leave It
Riding my Harley is like being on a journey that never seems to end | |
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Jun 29th, 2009, 07:26 AM
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#5 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,107
| Re: Battery Recommendation
East-Penn Deka makes HD batteries, at least they are US products
check out the locator on that page you can get the AGM battery from East Penn and save about 30% over HD's dealer prices,
I'd agree that if you lost the battery in 1 year then
1) Defective battery or broken plate
2) you have a drain
3) Put a battery tender on it (not a trickle charger)
HD's batteries outperform the others big time...
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Jun 30th, 2009, 06:15 AM
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#6 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 46 Model: 01 FLTR,04 FXSTB Interests: motorcycles...music Occupation: HD wrench
| Re: Battery Recommendation
The last post is right on the mony. I have had my batt for 5 years and it still comes back, batt tender is the way to go. the other thing to remember is that it takes from 5 to 10 min at highway speed to put the charge back after starting the bike so if you take a lot of short trips around town you might not be giving it the time it needs to charge back. letting it idle does not do it.
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Jun 30th, 2009, 08:02 AM
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#7 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC
Posts: 614 Model: Harley Davidson Interests: Music, Guitars, Art, Architecture, Design, Raptors, Females Occupation: Singer/songwriter/producer/music teacher
| Re: Battery Recommendation
My HD batteries have been bulletproof. I do use a battery tender in winter. Is that true, ten minutes on the highway should be enough to recharge? Seems like it would take a little longer to me. | |
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Jun 30th, 2009, 10:54 AM
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#8 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,211 Interests: Anything outdoors (climbing, backpacking, fishing, Mtn biking, riding) Occupation: Chemistry teacher
|  Re: Battery Recommendation
To charge properly, HD's need to run at 2500 rpm for about 5 miles to affect the battery. I bought a battery from Sam's. It is a gel pack where the anodes and cathodes are encased in a fibrous gel like material. I had to fill each cell with acid and put the covers on which made the battery maintanence free... I believe the gel actually keeps the anodes and cathodes from vibrating and increases the life of the battery. Had it on there since '05 (I think- maybe a year longer). I do ride year long, for the most part, and when it is down for an extended period, I hook up my trickle charger, but it is always fully charged. Been the best battery I've owned. HD batteries used to be lucky to last 2 years. '96 FLSTC might have something to do with the shorted life of those batt's.  | |
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Jun 30th, 2009, 06:17 PM
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#9 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,419
| Re: Battery Recommendation
the current line of batteries from the moco are also gel batteries....maint free. the 5 to 10 minute ride will only put back what the starter removed on a good startup. if you had to crank extra on it to get it started....it will take longer to recharge.....so, if ya crank your bike, tell the ol'lady that ya got to ride it for a few hours so you dont have to buy another battery.............{any excuse is a great excuse}!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA, WHILE WE ARE UNDER DISTRESS
"FLAGS AND HANDLEBARS SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE GROUND"
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen." We plan to meet next week to talk about planning a strategy session to discuss the next step towards forming a consensus to start the development of the rough draft for the implementation of our intention to develop a plan. | |
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Jun 30th, 2009, 09:04 PM
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#10 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 10
| Re: Battery Recommendation
Bought an Oddysey Battery for my Roadking...love it...lots of power...same company that makes the batteries for the U.S. Military tanks...9-12 years of life...comparable in price to HD battery...think they are made in Missouri... | |
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Jun 30th, 2009, 09:16 PM
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#11 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,090 Model: 09 Ultra Classic, 01 Heritage Springer Interests: Motorcycles, camping, fishing, old cars, flintlock muzzleloaders Occupation: Home Inspector
| Re: Battery Recommendation
Oddysey batteries ROCK!
__________________
His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.
The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function .... OUR job is to arrange the meeting."
One Nation, One Flag, Love It Or Leave It
Riding my Harley is like being on a journey that never seems to end | |
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Jul 1st, 2009, 03:25 AM
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#12 | | Rookie 10+ posts
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Villa Park, IL
Posts: 22 Model: 2003 FXDX
| Re: Battery Recommendation
Wow. I am glad I asked. Tons of great info THANKS! | |
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Jul 1st, 2009, 07:49 PM
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#13 | | Moderator Has posted 500+
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,419
| Re: Battery Recommendation
next time were gonna make you answer the question!!!!!!!!! 
__________________
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA, WHILE WE ARE UNDER DISTRESS
"FLAGS AND HANDLEBARS SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE GROUND"
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen." We plan to meet next week to talk about planning a strategy session to discuss the next step towards forming a consensus to start the development of the rough draft for the implementation of our intention to develop a plan. | |
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Jul 2nd, 2009, 12:20 PM
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#14 | | Has posted 500+
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 613 Model: 98 FLHRCI Interests: Riding and working on HD. Riding to Sturgis as often as I can. Occupation: Project Mangement
| Re: Battery Recommendation
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil K  Wow. I am glad I asked. Tons of great info THANKS! | Sounds like he's all charged up!
Sorry.... couldn't help it. | |
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