I like Decka batteries made by East Penn MGF. Thats all I have ever used. On my bike that I ride all of the time I change every 3 years need it or not.

 

just go to sams and get a duracell... good as any... cheaper... and made by deka which so many brands are

 

Yes the Duracell has been excellent! Solid posts, the American made one. I've also had good luck with Yuasa in my Jap, um, er Asian bikes. 😂🤣

 

One thing to note is that "Big Crank" batteries are nothing more than Deka / East Penn batteries who also makes the HD batteries. A good way to tell is to see if they have the small spacers for the cable attachments.. It's how they get around the no compete clause with HD batteries.

 

All good feedback so far.

Lithium is “cool”, and light weight, but they require their own flavor of charger/tender, and they are still 2-3 times the expense of the AGM option.

The last 2 bike batteries i purchased were from Batterymart - the Mega Crank - and they have served me well - usually about $110.00 shipped free when on sale - these are essentially the overseas version of the US made Big Crank - for about $40.00 less

So - Big Crank, Mega Crank, Yuasa, Deka, Duracell, Interstate….. - all good choices in my humble opinion…..as you will see, I believe the average is a 1 year warranty, but many bike batteries have 3 or 6 moth warranties…..

You “can” pay more, but I don’t see the need to, nor do i find that you get more out of a pricier option.

My experience - I have spent an average of $100-$120 on a battery for my Harley(s) - present and past, and all flavors have lasted 4-5 years before lugging noticeably when starting, which is when they get replaced.

Happy shopping - sorry about your crummy experience with the HD Lithium…..

 

Agree on the Yuasa, as we speak I'm sitting in the shop after having installed the GYZ32HL AGM in the bike. Found another ebay deal 180.00 inc. tax and free shipping. The old battery was from Auto Zone
{Duralast Gold AGM } I installed in 4-19. so at 3 1/2 years it may have gone longer. I had a slight issue in starting. However, I got that corrected in the TM program with starting fuel. but thought battery was starting to go. So far those 500CCA are doing well but TIME will tell. Have heard nothing but good about this model of Yuasa, I remember using them in my early smaller trail bikes just didn't realize they made one for H/D and larger bikes. Think I'll wait another cycle or 2 before jumping to a lithium. I'll run this one until dead and see how long it makes it. I did have a {Battries Plus} that lasted 6 years but I am the world's worst for keeping a battery on the tender while not riding. Best of luck with which ever one you wind up with

 

There are only 5 or 6 Makers of Battery's. When I worked for Yellow Freight, I picked up a full truck load of Battery for East Penn Mnf. (Decka) took them across town to Yuasa they unloaded them off my truck and started labeling them Yuasa. By the way they were motorcycle batteries.

 

I have trouble believing this.. It might have been some contract where East Penn had an easier solution but Yuasa makes their own HD batteries..

 

GS Yuasa, makes Yuasa batteries:

"Yuasa's parent company,GS Yuasa located in Japan, celebrates its 100th anniversary. GS Yuasa has the 2nd largest share of the global lead-acid battery market, manufacturing batteries for automotive, motive-power, and powersport markets."


FWIW.....

People seem to think that any battery made by say, East Penn or Johnson Controls, are of the same quality of all the other batteries they make...

That's just not true....

Every battery manufacturer can make a bargain basement battery or a top shelf quality battery.

The battery they make for any given vendor is based on a contract, where the vendor specs out the quality of the parts/design that are to be used by the manufacturer in making their batteries...

There can be many differences that will affect the battery's quality (and cost): the virgin lead content of the plates, the thickness of the plates, plate spacing & separation materials, posts & other internal materials, the type/thickness of the case, and overall design features...

Even though two batteries, from different vendors, are made by East Penn, it doesn't mean they are of the same quality...... There can be a big difference in their quality..

 

Your right about Quilty still only 5 or 6 makers. Being in the Transporation industry for 45 years you would be surprised at what's made by who.