Harley or Aftermarket
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
Wow, How many miles on bike? I think I replaced battery twice in my 02. 1 HD and 2 Interstate batteries. I never used a trickle charger until the last battery and now the 08.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Most sealed batteries are not AGM construction. AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Matt. AGM construction gives you a completely sealed liquid-free battery which will not leak or corrode. Reason why they're more expensive.
If your in a crash and the battery case fractures or breaks apart the electrolyte will still stay in place.
If your in a crash and the battery case fractures or breaks apart the electrolyte will still stay in place.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 3
From: Nice home on the NorCal Coast
I use HD batteries because I'm a creature of habit and they've never let me down.
I'm sure there's other's out there just as good and cheaper but why break a winning streak?
Krusr
I'm sure there's other's out there just as good and cheaper but why break a winning streak?
Krusr
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 7
From: Sunderland, MD
Local guy here says that the odysee battery does not hold up well to the vibrations that the harley puts out. How he knows I am not sure but he is a very smart person. He has several patents on starters with harley and there design. I trust this guy to be truthful and what he says makes since. something about the gel holding the charge suspended and it will not release it. This is just my .02. No one else will ever work on my starter or any charging system that I have. He is a very reasonable person.
Harry
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
There are only 3 or 4 companies in the US that make batteries. Harley Davidson isn't one of them. It should be easy to duplicate the features of the oem battery without the usual HD markup. Of course, some of us just can't bring ourselves to allow anything to touch our bikes that isn't "original".
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 14
From: Yokohama
I bought my 2000 FXST in 2005. The bike had only 2500 miles on it, with the original battery. Even though I didn't ride much over the winter, when I went to trickle charge the battery it only took a couple hours before the Battery Tender's light showed it was fully charged. Pretty impressive as my other bikes usually took overnight.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 11
From: Right Coast
Still using the original battery in my 04. This fall I connected the battery tender for the 1st time and it was fully charged in under 10 minutes. I was surprised and still am. A 5 year old battery and still doing fine and it gets damn cold around here.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 2
From: Lakewood, N.J.
If you loose the gell and its get on someone else you'll be pissed on in court. It's a safety feature. Oh sorry! Like you said, you're only concerned about yourself. I guess screw everyone else!