2018 touring battery replacement
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,902
From: East Coast, USA
Just picked up a new Deka battery (ETX20L) at Lowes, which is a big box store. Ordered the battery via their website and picked it up at the local store about 10 days later. Obviously, if you need your battery immediately, this isn't a good solution for you. The price of the battery at Lowes was reasonable.
https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=batteries+deka
https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=batteries+deka
Last edited by LQQK_OUT; Apr 15, 2022 at 09:02 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 22
From:
I am going to ask a dumb question out of curiosity.
Do you swap out a battery that has been starting fine at 4 years old just in case? Or just wait until you start noticing some issue like poor performance?
I have been swapping out at 4 years regardless and just putting the old battery into my lawn tractor. Most times the battery will start that tractor and last until the next time I swap them
Do you swap out a battery that has been starting fine at 4 years old just in case? Or just wait until you start noticing some issue like poor performance?
I have been swapping out at 4 years regardless and just putting the old battery into my lawn tractor. Most times the battery will start that tractor and last until the next time I swap them
Last edited by xltjim; Apr 15, 2022 at 12:04 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
I am going to ask a dumb question out of curiosity.
Do you swap out a battery that has been starting fine at 4 years old just in case? Or just wait until you start noticing some issue like poor performance?
I have been swapping out at 4 years regardless and just putting the old battery into my lawn tractor. Most times the battery will start that tractor and last until the next time I swap them
Do you swap out a battery that has been starting fine at 4 years old just in case? Or just wait until you start noticing some issue like poor performance?
I have been swapping out at 4 years regardless and just putting the old battery into my lawn tractor. Most times the battery will start that tractor and last until the next time I swap them
I would say I know the sound, feeling, and turnover rate of my bike when starting it, and I know when it starts to show signs of slowing, starting or turning over sluggishly, or simply seeming to start with more difficulty - thats when I get a new battery on order.
That said, do what you feel is best for you - if thats replacing the bike battery every 4 years, I would not lose a moment of sleep over that practice, it would be like changing the battery in your home smoke detectors every spring or fall with the time change , easy insurance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,141
Likes: 11,210
From: San Diego, CA
FWIW....
While I don't replace my batteries on a specific time schedule, I have learned over the years that it's much easier to change a battery in your garage at your convenience, rather than on the side of the road, or in a parking lot, when your bike doesn't start...
For that reason, as soon as a battery, 3+ years old, gives me any signs that it's getting weak, I replace it...
Actually, I will load test it first, since I can do that at home, but I've yet to have an older battery showing signs of weakness, not need replacing. I had a 1 year old battery act like it was dying, and after a good load test, I found the ground wire loose... not on the battery, but where it bolts to the frame under the nose of the seat (an '03 Softail).
IMHO... If I had a 6 year old battery, that was giving me any signs that it is going south (as you say your battery is), I would replace it as soon as possible...
I wouldn't even bother load testing it, because if it turned out to be something else, I would consider replacing a 6 year old battery as a good preventive maintenance move anyway...
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 15, 2022 at 11:09 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 709
From: Indianapolis
I am going to ask a dumb question out of curiosity.
Do you swap out a battery that has been starting fine at 4 years old just in case? Or just wait until you start noticing some issue like poor performance?
I have been swapping out at 4 years regardless and just putting the old battery into my lawn tractor. Most times the battery will start that tractor and last until the next time I swap them
Do you swap out a battery that has been starting fine at 4 years old just in case? Or just wait until you start noticing some issue like poor performance?
I have been swapping out at 4 years regardless and just putting the old battery into my lawn tractor. Most times the battery will start that tractor and last until the next time I swap them
Are you saying you get 4 years out of a battery in the bike and 4 MORE out of that same battery in the mower? 8 years?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 22
From:
Note - this is a small 12hp lawn tractor. Not much to start.
Last edited by xltjim; Apr 19, 2022 at 09:12 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 74
From: Central Valley, CA
Had to replace my 2nd battery last weekend. Couldnt even jump the bike with my truck. Replaced the first battery in late 18, early 19. So overall not too bad, had noticed before it was slow starting right before this.