What Battery do you use in your Softail?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 392
Likes: 12
I'm using the HD battery. They last me about 6 years and I do keep it plug into a tender. When I did buy my last battery is cost $125 about $5 more than the comparable Interstate. I was already at the dealer and did not feel like driving across town to save $5.
Last edited by tmilo1000; Nov 9, 2015 at 05:19 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 910
From: Omaha
After reading JefferiesHD1's comment about NAPA, I decided to do some checking.
It appears that the ETX20L at NAPA is the same as the one at O'Reilly's, AutoZone, "Big Crank" or Harley, which are all the same DEKA batteries.
So go for the best warranty, price, and availability.
Looks like for me the winner is the NAPA ETX20L which has a 1 year warranty, currently on sale for $89.95 and with my military discount it will be $86.62 out the door and is in stock.
It appears that the ETX20L at NAPA is the same as the one at O'Reilly's, AutoZone, "Big Crank" or Harley, which are all the same DEKA batteries.
So go for the best warranty, price, and availability.
Looks like for me the winner is the NAPA ETX20L which has a 1 year warranty, currently on sale for $89.95 and with my military discount it will be $86.62 out the door and is in stock.
Last edited by Bluraven; Nov 11, 2015 at 09:28 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,104
Likes: 13,043
From: Texas, USA
After reading JefferiesHD1's comment about NAPA, I decided to do some checking.
It appears that the ETX20L at NAPA is the same as the one at O'Reilly's, AutoZone, "Big Crank" or Harley, which are all the same DEKA batteries.
So go for the best warranty, price, and availability.
Looks like for me the winner is the NAPA ETX20L which has a 1 year warranty, currently on sale for $89.95 and with my military discount it will be $86.62 out the door and is in stock.
It appears that the ETX20L at NAPA is the same as the one at O'Reilly's, AutoZone, "Big Crank" or Harley, which are all the same DEKA batteries.
So go for the best warranty, price, and availability.
Looks like for me the winner is the NAPA ETX20L which has a 1 year warranty, currently on sale for $89.95 and with my military discount it will be $86.62 out the door and is in stock.
As I posted, I purchased a new battery from Batteries plus for $125 but it has a 2 year warranty. So, if the Batteries plus battery dies in 13 months, I'll get a new, free battery. Therefore, I'd get 2 batteries for $125 (original + free replacement)
I'm sure the NAPA battery is fine, but it doesn't have the best warranty. I agree you saved 30% over the Batteries plus battery by paying $86. But, unless your battery dies in less than 1 year, you'll have to buy a second battery at $86.
Therefore, you'd get 2 batteries for $172 (original + replacement) which would end up costing you more.
For me the longer warranty was worth the additional cost. YMMV.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,944
Likes: 276
From: Central IL
Original battery lasted 7 years, replaced with a new Deka AGM from the local parts guy for $100. Use Battery Tender Jr all winter and during riding season use it when know won't be able to ride for several days.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
I got 5 1/2 years out of the stock battery before it started showing sings of getting weaker. I ordered the big crank from battery mart. It shipped from Winchester, VA and I received it in Oregon in 6 day later. Whoever you buy from be sure and charge it on a regular charger before installing it. At 4 amps mine took 4 1/2 hrs to fully charge.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 910
From: Omaha
As many have eluded too getting 3 or more years out of a battery is typical however that's not to say there aren't the exceptions where-as a battery has died that's less than 3 years old.
My feeling is that online warranties are great unless the item being warranted is a ride-stopper item such as a battery.
Let's face it if the item is a ride-stopper does it matter that it has even a lifetime warranty. Because we all know this stuff breaks at the worst time.
For example; it's a sunny Saturday morning, 78 degrees and you're planning on riding an annual poker run.
You get on your bike and the battery is dead.
Does it matter that the battery is only 9 months old and due to good customer service you can get a replacement under warranty sent overnight?
Not to me, I'll off to the nearest place that I can get a battery and the cost of that battery is really of no consequence.
So to answer the OP's question;
I'm with those who think purchasing locally is the way to go at least as far as a battery is concerned.
Deka manufacturer seems to be highly regarded and it's product is sold by a number of local businesses like Autozone, NAPA and Harley.
So my recommendation is to buy a battery locally whether NAPA, Batteries Plus or even Walmart and get a battery tender with it as well if you don't already have one.
My next battery will be a Deka and I'll buy it locally from whomever is offering the lowest price along with at least a 1 year warranty.
My feeling is that online warranties are great unless the item being warranted is a ride-stopper item such as a battery.
Let's face it if the item is a ride-stopper does it matter that it has even a lifetime warranty. Because we all know this stuff breaks at the worst time.
For example; it's a sunny Saturday morning, 78 degrees and you're planning on riding an annual poker run.
You get on your bike and the battery is dead.
Does it matter that the battery is only 9 months old and due to good customer service you can get a replacement under warranty sent overnight?
Not to me, I'll off to the nearest place that I can get a battery and the cost of that battery is really of no consequence.
So to answer the OP's question;
I'm with those who think purchasing locally is the way to go at least as far as a battery is concerned.
Deka manufacturer seems to be highly regarded and it's product is sold by a number of local businesses like Autozone, NAPA and Harley.
So my recommendation is to buy a battery locally whether NAPA, Batteries Plus or even Walmart and get a battery tender with it as well if you don't already have one.
My next battery will be a Deka and I'll buy it locally from whomever is offering the lowest price along with at least a 1 year warranty.
Last edited by Bluraven; Nov 13, 2015 at 08:27 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
So to answer the OP's question;
I'm with those who think purchasing locally is the way to go at least as far as a battery is concerned.
Deka manufacturer seems to be highly regarded and it's product is sold by a number of local businesses like Autozone, NAPA and Harley.
Bestbatterytips.com
Tim, weve had to make this a 6 part Q & A under our Mailbag Mondays questions. Well make this one part 2 on Duralast batteries. Duralast batteries are a line of batteries sold by Autozone, which by the way is on every street corner it seems anymore. Autozone is one of the biggest auto parts store chains in the country, known for their great customer service and exceptional products. They can thank Johnson Controls for their dependable Duralast batteries. Duralast is Autozones private label made by Johnson Controls. Autozone offers a diverse selection of Duralast batteries, ranging from small to large. They even offer the Optima Gel Batteries in Auto and Marine, by the way which Johnson Controls also owns.
Tim, weve had to make this a 6 part Q & A under our Mailbag Mondays questions. Well make this one part 2 on Duralast batteries. Duralast batteries are a line of batteries sold by Autozone, which by the way is on every street corner it seems anymore. Autozone is one of the biggest auto parts store chains in the country, known for their great customer service and exceptional products. They can thank Johnson Controls for their dependable Duralast batteries. Duralast is Autozones private label made by Johnson Controls. Autozone offers a diverse selection of Duralast batteries, ranging from small to large. They even offer the Optima Gel Batteries in Auto and Marine, by the way which Johnson Controls also owns.