Are there any good Motorcycle batteries?

[nickelmore]

Use to get four years out of a battery in my 01 ultra always bought genuine HD because I like the the terminals better. Now I just had a Deka give up with little warning. Exactly two years old. after i had to replace a Genuine HD (I guess is made by Deka) That I felt was also short lived.

Third Battery in Four years.

No uncommon draws, plugged into a good maintainer when not being ridden. Electrical system has been upgraded in the past and checked recently. (Battery also checked OK)

Because I was broke down I was close to a Napa that had one in stock so I was able to use my account and get one and back on the road.

....Just to find out it is made by Deka.

Just frustrated looking at changing a battery every 2 years.

 

[calif phil]

Deka has cheapened them up in the last few years I hear. I have been replacing batteries in '15 and 16 Harley's already. I replace them with Yuasa GYZ batteries More CCA and much improved terminals. They are sold under Yuasa and many private labels. GYZ 32 is the number you need for your Ultra.


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[R_einan]

I second yuasa, I changed my '05 softail with one in '09 and it was still solid when I sold it in '14. HD branded batteries seem to have gotten weaker recently, the one in my '15 is getting weak after only 2 years.

 

[jeffyhog]

Last battery I bought for my 01 Ultra was a Big Crank battery from Battery Mart. They are USA made and I think it was around $90 with free shipping. Been in the bike for about 4 years now.

 

[longez]

Yuasa in all my Triumphs

 

[Stadger]

Odyssey. Going on 8 years in my Shovelhead. Military grade.

 

[cookiemech]

Odyssey. Going on 8 years in my Shovelhead. Military grade.

Another vote for Odyssey. I have them in all my bikes (2 BMWs, 2 Harleys, Moto Guzzi).

Also, do not just leave the Battery Tender (or whatever brand you use) on the bike indefinitely. Even though these are "battery maintainers", they will eventually cook the battery if connected for a long time. Use them if you haven't run the bike for a while (say a month) and disconnect as soon as the green light comes on.

 

[steveo1o9]

Yuasa came stock in my Yamaha and that's what it prefers, so I stick with that. Pricey and I still only get 3-4 years out of it...

 

[Showkey]

Vibration and heat are the two hard to control problems.........which kill batteries. The HD have both in excessive amounts.

Battery maintainer ....brand ? The best automatically float charge ........some are better than others and some are junk.

 

[TheLurker]

?..Third Battery in Four years...

Do you have a permanently mounted volt meter? If not I recommend it.

I had a span where I was burning out batteries. I went over everything a couple times over a year then finally gave up after my second battery failure and brought it to a shop that also couldn't find anything.

Installed a digital voltmeter and found that my R/R was failing intermittently causing over-voltage to the battery (18+ V at random times and random durations with some gaps as long as several days). It tested fine every time when just putting the probe on and checking different rpm but once I was monitoring it constantly, the intermittent failure showed itself.

 

[tjdux]

Yuasa came stock in my Yamaha and that's what it prefers, so I stick with that. Pricey and I still only get 3-4 years out of it...

I wonder if thats whats in my 09 yamaha yz600. Its never been replaced yet.

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[tjdux]

Another vote for Odyssey. I have them in all my bikes (2 BMWs, 2 Harleys, Moto Guzzi).

Also, do not just leave the Battery Tender (or whatever brand you use) on the bike indefinitely. Even though these are "battery maintainers", they will eventually cook the battery if connected for a long time. Use them if you haven't run the bike for a while (say a month) and disconnect as soon as the green light comes on.

3rd vote for odyessy being solid. Have one in my atv which i use the winch often and its been going strong now for 2 years. It sits for weeks at a time without use sometimes and always cranks over great even dead of winter to plow snow.

Its got enough CCA to theoretically start my 1.8l mazda to boot.

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[Ipassgas]

I'm unimpressed with quality batteries. The heat and vibration are killers.

I've gone the opposite way. Cheapest battery Amazon has that day.
I figure 2 years at $25 is better than 4 years at $90. But it takes five minutes to change out, including putting the wrenches back.

 

[LonestarLando]

+ 1 for YUASA

 

[isb cornbinder]

My1999 Honda Valkyrie interstate came with Yuasa. The original lasted 15 years. I was given as EXIDE to try. The Exide was dead in less than a week. The battery in the Interstate is a YUASA now
I always use a Battery Tender.

 

[calif phil]

Yuasa makes two batteries for your Ultra, the standard YTX30L and the GYZ23HL The GYZ is much preferred. Most any motorcycle shop can order one through Drag Specialties or Bikers Choice. The Drag part number is 2113-0010

 

[Honda guy]

Yuasa battery with a Battery Tender brand, maintainer. As someone else already mentioned, install a volt meter to catch intermittent regulator issues.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yuasa

 

[blair683]

I get the ones that Rural King carries. They last 3 to 5 years in my 1981 Goldwing. They are also CHEAP (like me).

 

[chruler]

I changed the stock battery in my 2007 Dyna. That's right, 10 years and still going strong. The only reason I changed it was because the voltage regulators seem to go when the battery starts to get weak so, whay take the chance.
Maybe Dynas are easier on batteries because the engine is rubber mounted.

Just put some Auto Parts store premium sealed battery in it. $180 retail. Got it for $85 through a friend in the biz. Hope to get another 10 years out of it!

 

[red94chev]

I've had really good luck with the Deka I put in my race quad. Never had a problem with the Yuasas either but I can get the Dekas cheaper.

 

[txvwnut]

I got seven years out of the original HD battery in my 05 Dyna and I'm still on the second battery. But I ride pretty much every day until the morning temps get below 40f degrees, dunno if that makes a difference or not. I've always preferred the original HD battery in a Harley. I've tried other brands but was never impressed, but maybe the other battery manufactures have changed their designs.

 

[Moosefire66]

One thing to remember when purchasing a battery is that the higher the CCA, while great when needed, they also discharge faster when in storage than a lower CCA battery. Something to think about

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[LS6 Tommy]

Yuasa for me, too. IIRC, they used to be Harley's OEM...

Tommy

 

[bcradio]

Just make sure whatever you get is AGM. I got the premium duralast AGM and it has been great so far.

 

[weegaz22]

Yuasa +1

 

[ticklechicken]

Like everyone else, I've had great luck with Yuasa. I used them for 20 years, but switched to Lithium batteries about 5 years ago. They are definitely worth the money.

 

[Git]

Yuasa

 

[ptgarcia]

Yuasa here, also. I've tried others but they just don't last.

 

[PhysicsDude]

Any one else here switch to a Li-ion battery? They're pricey ($140-$180 or so) but I love mine. Bike cranks faster, and the battery can sit for 6+ months without a tender. They're relatively new to the market, but if you don't abuse them, I think they'll probably last awhile, only had mine for a year, no issues yet. Park the bike and turn the key 3 months later and it starts no problem. They're worth the money to me to not worry about a tender. Smaller and lighter to boot, they only weigh like 2-3 lbs and leave enough spare room in the battery compartment for a power commander.

 

[Solmon N]

Poor luck with deka brand. Replaced 3 in a short amount of time.

 

[bwringer]

I've had at least two Yuasa AGM batteries fail early. Never had an issue with a Deka (which are sold under a zillion different brand names). But individual experiences aren't statistics -- both Yuasa and Deka make great batteries.

Another brand worth a good look is MotoBatt -- I've been very, very impressed with these.


I also agree that something else is probably going on -- you should install a good voltmeter and keep an eye on things that way. Also check the mounting for the battery box. I'm not familiar with your model, but if there are missing or dried out rubber spacers, or missing fasteners you could be transmitting a lot more vibration into the battery than normal. If there are foam strips to support the battery, maybe these need to be renewed if they're flattened out. I've also seen things like add-on accessories blocking off airflow, leading to high temps. Or maybe a missing heat shield.

Dirty or damaged wiring or terminals could also increase resistance. Check both ends of the battery wires for corrosion, etc.

Basically, something is making these batteries fail. Look for the cause.

 

[nickelmore]

Thanks guys for the input. I will run with this Napa this year and replace it with a Yussa next year and use the Napa one for the lawn mower or something.

I have a voltage meter on the bike as well as a newer regulator that was installed due to first two year old battery fail.

It is an AGM battery.

All cables are clean, sits on a rubber mat.

Due to the location I am sure it gets hot, but its by HD design.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Been going through the same issue with battery in ATV, not only mine but the Arctic Cat at the fire station.

Has anybody weighed some of the newer batteries vs the older ones to see if the lead content has been decreased ?

 

[mmb617]

Just make sure whatever you get is AGM. I got the premium duralast AGM and it has been great so far.

That was my first thought. When I bought my Sportster new in '88 it had a lead acid battery, and that one and subsequent ones usually lasted about 3 years. Finally about 10 years ago the replacement HD battery I bought was a AGM, first one I'd ever had. It lasted 7 years, so I'm sold on them. The one I'm running now I bought at NAPA as I was told it's the same battery HD sells but it's cheaper because it doesn't have the "high dollar" brand name on it.

 

[Showkey]

One thing to remember when purchasing a battery is that the higher the CCA, while great when needed, they also discharge faster when in storage than a lower CCA battery. Something to think about

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Throwing the BS flag on this theory...............

 

[CJM8515]

odyess or yuasa are all I would buy if I wanted a conventional battery. I run a shorai lithum battery in my race atv and its more powerful and much smaller and also resistant to abuse.

Always keep the battery on a tender when not in use as well.

 

[ptgarcia]

Any one else here switch to a Li-ion battery? They're pricey ($140-$180 or so) but I love mine. Bike cranks faster, and the battery can sit for 6+ months without a tender. They're relatively new to the market, but if you don't abuse them, I think they'll probably last awhile, only had mine for a year, no issues yet. Park the bike and turn the key 3 months later and it starts no problem. They're worth the money to me to not worry about a tender. Smaller and lighter to boot, they only weigh like 2-3 lbs and leave enough spare room in the battery compartment for a power commander.

For me, there isn't enough benefit to make me pull the trigger, yet. My Yuasa certainly weighs more, but I seem to get the same life out of them as people report they get with Shorai, EarthX, Ballistic, Antigravity, etc. The other thing that holds me back is most of the Li battery brands aren't clear on if they have on-board charge circuitry of some sort or a battery management system to properly charge the battery. I know some brands recommend (or did the last time I checked) putting a charger on their Li motorcycle batteries on occasion. When I'm clear they have worked this out I'll make the switch. It would be nice to drop 5lbs+ just by changing the battery.

 

[KLRCraig]

Maintained a fleet of Police motorcycles for 35 years the only battery that lasted was Odyssey, I tried every battery in the world. Plus they have a 3 year warranty and everything else is 90 days.

 

[Showkey]

Been going through the same issue with battery in ATV, not only mine but the Arctic Cat at the fire station.

Has anybody weighed some of the newer batteries vs the older ones to see if the lead content has been decreased ?

Yes.........look at the shipping weights on the same battery models...........some of the off shore stuff are alittle light by 10-20%. The other well known issue is bocus CCA ratings. They test at room temperature instead of cold testing at 0*.