When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Only three manufacturers of power sports batteries in the USA. East Penn/Deka, Yuasa & Johnson Controls. East Penn makes the stock OEM Harley battery, Big Crank, Duracell gray case (black case made in China), O'Reilly, Napa, Throttle X-Rated, Walmart & most other common ones you hear about. Just re-labled. Cranking amps can vary though by model. JC makes Interstate Batteries. Yuasa & Deka supply to Drag Specialties. I use the Duracel Gray from Batteries Plus. It has a two year warranty. It's on it's 4th year right now with no issues.
Both are good batteries. But I have a preference for Yuasa, made in Pennsylvania. 500cca and they have those nifty finger pockets in the battery to aid in lifting them out and putting them in.
My battery lift straps have always worn thin and break when I try to lift out the tired old battery. The Yuasa finger hole lifts are worth the trouble to find one and install it.
My battery lift straps have always worn thin and break when I try to lift out the tired old battery. The Yuasa finger hole lifts are worth the trouble to find one and install it.
100% true, they always break. I try to remember to use several wraps of duct tape, but honestly always remember after it's already in the bike.
Those finger slots are really nice. They're of course on the front and rear of the battery.
Myself and the guys I ride have used Big Cranks for a number of years.
On my 3 bikes average life was 5 yrs+
Out of 8 have only had 1 puke early 2 yrs.
i only got 3 years out of the stock battery and currently 4.5 years in to my Deka replacement.
its not giving me any problems but i have some long distance rides mapped out for this year
and wont be able to tend the bike while on the road and defintiely dont want to pay dealer prices
for a replacement if it lets go on me while 600 miles from home..
i only got 3 years out of the stock battery and currently 4.5 years in to my Deka replacement.
..
I am surprised in the North east. Most of these guys complaining of 3 years are in hot areas. I expect 7 out of harley, worse was 5.
Going with a good name brand is probably all you need, people also talk about optiminum, spelling that right? Always been threads claiming at the time this one or that one is making them for harley. Which probably changes over the years. But harley probably also has specs. Not a buy harley guy, just had such good luck with their batteries.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
