AGM Gel Battery

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 22, 2021 | 12:50 PM

Road Star

Thread Starter

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 6,673

Likes: 502

From: Orange County

AGM Gel Battery

Are these reliable batteries? Anyone have experience with these? I was told it’s an “activated” battery; and the other ones you need to active prior to installing. Does that sound right?

Jul 22, 2021 | 01:08 PM

RHPAW

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 21,736

Likes: 17,577

From: Driftless Area

On my second one...they last about 5-7 years.
No complaints.
Activated. You can't open them anyway.

Jul 22, 2021 | 01:34 PM

seniorsuperglideE8

Supporter

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 15,788

Likes: 5,625

From: along the shore of Mishigami

I'm thinking the batteries you have to "activate" are the old wet cell acid batteries where you have to add the acid to each cell prior to use and charge. Whereas the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) is already activated once the battery is manufactured, you don't have to monitor the liquid level in each cell. The AGM battery is the stock battery on the HD motor cycles. On experience, the AGM don't like high temps, if your live in an area with mild temps you shouldn't have a problem.

Jul 22, 2021 | 01:42 PM

TroubleHead Fred

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 3,814

Likes: 1,968

From: Lake of the Ozarks

I prefer the AGM to the old wet cells. I have been running them since they first became available, no complaints.

Jul 22, 2021 | 01:52 PM

KK0G

Road Captain

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 518

Likes: 593

From: Central Iowa

AGM stands for absorbed glass mat - the electrolyte is absorbed in a glass matt. AGM's are perfectly fine batteries with advantages and disadvantages over wet cells but the AGM's main advantage being there's no battery acid in a liquid form to potentially leak out.

Jul 22, 2021 | 02:56 PM

strych9

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 7,323

Likes: 11,762

From: Omaha,NE

AGM batteries are better; they are not as likely sulfate and therefore typically last longer.

Jul 22, 2021 | 03:20 PM

skratch

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

Likes: 4,440

From: anacoco, la

this is not a new thing. my 2002 sportster came stock from the factory with an agm battery.

an agm battery is a little more expensive than your typical wet cell battery, but it is a whole lot better for a motorcycle application. if you drop your bike, you don't have to worry about acid spilling out, it doesn't gas out the same as a wet cell and therefor you have less corrosion in the battery box area. less maintenance on your part too.

don't cheap out. go with an oem equivalent.