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Battery Recommendation

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Phil K, Jun 28, 2009.

  1. Phil K

    Phil K New Member

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    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
    Phil K, Jun 28, 2009
    #1
  3. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    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??
    chucktx, Jun 28, 2009
    #2
  4. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    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.
    Lucifer, Jun 29, 2009
    #3
  5. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    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.
    FLHTbiker, Jun 29, 2009
    #4
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    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...
    hotroadking, Jun 29, 2009
    #5
  7. hddoc94565

    hddoc94565 New Member

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    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.
    hddoc94565, Jun 30, 2009
    #6
  8. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    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.
    HellBoy, Jun 30, 2009
    #7
  9. mwelych

    mwelych Active Member

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    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.:)
    mwelych, Jun 30, 2009
    #8
  10. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    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}!!!!!!!!!!
    chucktx, Jun 30, 2009
    #9
  11. bananawind

    bananawind New Member

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    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...
    bananawind, Jun 30, 2009
    #10
  12. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Oddysey batteries ROCK!
    FLHTbiker, Jun 30, 2009
    #11
  13. Phil K

    Phil K New Member

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    Wow. I am glad I asked. Tons of great info THANKS!
    Phil K, Jul 1, 2009
    #12
  14. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    next time were gonna make you answer the question!!!!!!!!!:roflmao:
    chucktx, Jul 1, 2009
    #13
  15. Tomflhrci98

    Tomflhrci98 Active Member

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    Sounds like he's all charged up!

    Sorry.... couldn't help it.
    Tomflhrci98, Jul 2, 2009
    #14

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