Battery Info
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 3,073
From: Brighton, MI
Battery Info
My 6 year old Drag Specialties (premium) battery is finally giving up the ghost. It owes me nothing. It might be older than 6 years old, it came on the bike when I purchased it used. I use a cheap Harbor Freight tender whenever it is parked at home, so I think that helped it live a long life. It's not dead, but it is getting tired, so time to replace even if I just consider the age.
It's also getting close to "battery season" for us northerners, so I thought I would post a link regarding who makes all the different brands of batteries out there. I ended up purchasing a replacement Deka from Amazon, but while I was searching, I come to find out there are only a few manufacturer's with MANY different company brand name stickers slapped on them.
For example my old Drag battery is really a Yuasa (yuasa is made in USA), and my new Deka is East Penn (made in USA). Last I heard Deka makes Harley batteries, no difference other than labels, no magic sauce, no super mojo, just the harley label adds another 40 bucks to the sticker. I don't trust "made in China" when it comes to a battery.
Anyways, this recently updated article/ link below might be helpful and save you a few bucks (thank you Bill Darden), and if your thinking of a new battery purchase, now is the time (before the rush). I am already seeing some companies with "back order" on the more popular sizes/brands.
Also, even a cheapo battery tender is better than nothing and will make your battery live longer. A simple pigtail installed makes connecting the tender easy whenever you park the bike. I have no association with the website, just found it while surfing.
http://www.jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm
It's also getting close to "battery season" for us northerners, so I thought I would post a link regarding who makes all the different brands of batteries out there. I ended up purchasing a replacement Deka from Amazon, but while I was searching, I come to find out there are only a few manufacturer's with MANY different company brand name stickers slapped on them.
For example my old Drag battery is really a Yuasa (yuasa is made in USA), and my new Deka is East Penn (made in USA). Last I heard Deka makes Harley batteries, no difference other than labels, no magic sauce, no super mojo, just the harley label adds another 40 bucks to the sticker. I don't trust "made in China" when it comes to a battery.
Anyways, this recently updated article/ link below might be helpful and save you a few bucks (thank you Bill Darden), and if your thinking of a new battery purchase, now is the time (before the rush). I am already seeing some companies with "back order" on the more popular sizes/brands.
Also, even a cheapo battery tender is better than nothing and will make your battery live longer. A simple pigtail installed makes connecting the tender easy whenever you park the bike. I have no association with the website, just found it while surfing.
http://www.jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm
Last edited by Yankee Dog; Jan 23, 2021 at 07:23 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
One thing for sure.....battery prices have gotten really high in the past few years and including tires.
Deka batteries are definitely good....same as Harley, but without the name.
But, then again.....I’ve used the cheap store China batteries and I’ve gotten decent life out of those as well.
I’d like to add....I had a battery tender connected to a battery for nearly six months. Came home and the battery was completely dead and acid found it’s way out. Since then....they get disconnected periodically and then reconnected.
Deka batteries are definitely good....same as Harley, but without the name.
But, then again.....I’ve used the cheap store China batteries and I’ve gotten decent life out of those as well.
I’d like to add....I had a battery tender connected to a battery for nearly six months. Came home and the battery was completely dead and acid found it’s way out. Since then....they get disconnected periodically and then reconnected.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,082
Likes: 2,159
From: Ohio
The Harley batteries are proven to last but priced themselves out of my market. Have had good luck with the USA made Big Crank and Mega Cranks from Batterymart, $99 on sale at times with free shipping. They are the best I've seen per dollar for turning over high compressioned engines, been looking at one for the Shovel project they stock as a specialty battery for a FLT
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 3,073
From: Brighton, MI
The Harley batteries are proven to last but priced themselves out of my market. Have had good luck with the USA made Big Crank and Mega Cranks from Batterymart, $99 on sale at times with free shipping. They are the best I've seen per dollar for turning over high compressioned engines, been looking at one for the Shovel project they stock as a specialty battery for a FLT
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 692
From: magnolia tx
To Brookfield Business Partners in which they have control of over half of the total battery market
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 13
From: Fort Wayne,IN
Believe there is a slight difference in battery post designs between Harley & Deka battery. Harley battery needs no spacers to post/terminal, Deka uses a brass spacer. Bought my last couple of batteries from link below. Used to be able to find at least a $5 coupon code. Looks like price has increased about $20 last couple of years. The 2 batteries I bought had a very fresh date code, 1 or 2 months old.
https://www.techbatterysolutions.com...tx20l-battery/
https://www.techbatterysolutions.com...tx20l-battery/
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 692
From: magnolia tx
I get all my batteries from Autozone for more than 20 plus years, I DONT like many of their products! but their Duralast batteries are good! They must have strict standards on their battery product, I get their sold cell batteries for the bikes and get years of use from them, their car and truck batteries is typical I get at least 7 years out of them
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,581
Likes: 57,136
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
The Harley batteries are proven to last but priced themselves out of my market. Have had good luck with the USA made Big Crank and Mega Cranks from Batterymart, $99 on sale at times with free shipping. They are the best I've seen per dollar for turning over high compressioned engines, been looking at one for the Shovel project they stock as a specialty battery for a FLT