Which Battery do You Like?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 408
From: Middle Tennessee
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
I just recently went back to the HD battery after a Big Crank failed after just one year in service. To the best of my memory, I've always gotten at least 4-5 yrs from the HD brand.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,105
Likes: 13,052
From: Texas, USA
I'm not convinced that brand has much to do with how long a battery will last. Other factors have more influence including, but not limited to, how you maintain it and where you live.
I live in Texas and it is HOT. Heat is a battery killer. My batteries average about 3 years. I've checked my charging system and did not find a problem. My battery is on a tender whenever the bike is parked. I have the same load tester auto parts stores use and check the battery periodically. You can get one from Tractor Supply for $25. If need be I will charge the battery with an actual charger (not a tender).
Battery Load Tester
I am now using Batteries Plus Bulb's batteries simply because they have a two year warranty. They're as good as any other and aren't any more expensive.
I live in Texas and it is HOT. Heat is a battery killer. My batteries average about 3 years. I've checked my charging system and did not find a problem. My battery is on a tender whenever the bike is parked. I have the same load tester auto parts stores use and check the battery periodically. You can get one from Tractor Supply for $25. If need be I will charge the battery with an actual charger (not a tender).
Battery Load Tester
I am now using Batteries Plus Bulb's batteries simply because they have a two year warranty. They're as good as any other and aren't any more expensive.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 7,087
From: SoCal / AZ
I'm not convinced that brand has much to do with how long a battery will last. Other factors have more influence including, but not limited to, how you maintain it and where you live.
I live in Texas and it is HOT. Heat is a battery killer. My batteries average about 3 years. I've checked my charging system and did not find a problem. My battery is on a tender whenever the bike is parked. I have the same load tester auto parts stores use and check the battery periodically. You can get one from Tractor Supply for $25. If need be I will charge the battery with an actual charger (not a tender).
Battery Load Tester
I am now using Batteries Plus Bulb's batteries simply because they have a two year warranty. They're as good as any other and aren't any more expensive.
I live in Texas and it is HOT. Heat is a battery killer. My batteries average about 3 years. I've checked my charging system and did not find a problem. My battery is on a tender whenever the bike is parked. I have the same load tester auto parts stores use and check the battery periodically. You can get one from Tractor Supply for $25. If need be I will charge the battery with an actual charger (not a tender).
Battery Load Tester
I am now using Batteries Plus Bulb's batteries simply because they have a two year warranty. They're as good as any other and aren't any more expensive.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
I tend to agree RedNose.
I've been running Odyssey in my drag car for 18 years. I'm about a year into the third one. The first one is still in service on my camper. The second one died after 7 years, but I don't think it was the fault of the battery. Due to a short in the alternator, it discharged completely, and was dead, dead, dead for several weeks. I couldn't recover it.
Here in Central California, it gets hot. Even Texas hot. We frequently have days well over 110° and 30 day stretches of well over 100°.
There's several really good suggestions on the original question, and I look seriously at the experiences people have had. Based on that, the decision is nearly as difficult as it was when I asked!
I've been running Odyssey in my drag car for 18 years. I'm about a year into the third one. The first one is still in service on my camper. The second one died after 7 years, but I don't think it was the fault of the battery. Due to a short in the alternator, it discharged completely, and was dead, dead, dead for several weeks. I couldn't recover it.
Here in Central California, it gets hot. Even Texas hot. We frequently have days well over 110° and 30 day stretches of well over 100°.
There's several really good suggestions on the original question, and I look seriously at the experiences people have had. Based on that, the decision is nearly as difficult as it was when I asked!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Batteries are funny things.
Don't ride your bike very much (thinking you'll "save" it) and the battery doesn't last very long at all.
Ride the crap out of your bike (50,000+ miles) per year and the original battery lasts 7 years or better.
Use it or lose it, I guess....
Don't ride your bike very much (thinking you'll "save" it) and the battery doesn't last very long at all.
Ride the crap out of your bike (50,000+ miles) per year and the original battery lasts 7 years or better.
Use it or lose it, I guess....
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
I'd agree with that Norty.
But, I did a test on the charging system, and it puts out 14v at idle, and about 14.7 at cruise rpm. So that's good.
I did fill up with premium the other day, and it seems to start easier. So......
I'm gonna have the motor semi apart this winter doing top end work. Valve job, lifters, adjusto pushrods, etc. I think checking the starter for draw might be a good idear. As well as putting a good set of battery cables on too! Electronic ignitions are sensitive to voltage, and if the starter draws too much, there might not be enough juice left for the ignition to fire. I run into this on my drag car when the battery is low.
Compared to the motors some of you fellers run, this one should be easy to start. A bone stock 88 with less than 9-1 CR.
But, I did a test on the charging system, and it puts out 14v at idle, and about 14.7 at cruise rpm. So that's good.
I did fill up with premium the other day, and it seems to start easier. So......
I'm gonna have the motor semi apart this winter doing top end work. Valve job, lifters, adjusto pushrods, etc. I think checking the starter for draw might be a good idear. As well as putting a good set of battery cables on too! Electronic ignitions are sensitive to voltage, and if the starter draws too much, there might not be enough juice left for the ignition to fire. I run into this on my drag car when the battery is low.
Compared to the motors some of you fellers run, this one should be easy to start. A bone stock 88 with less than 9-1 CR.
Last edited by Mike Lawless; Oct 20, 2016 at 12:42 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 429
From: E-town, Alberta
Odyssey
Fantastic battery's. Have Optima in all my other toys and never had a problem with any of them (don't buy factory seconds at Walmart) but they don't make bike battery's so had to use Odyssey. Was only $20 more then a traditional one. For $20 more I'm surprised anyone goes for the cheap ones, your battery isn't the place to cheap out IMHO.