Harley Battery?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,368
Likes: 2,111
From: Central, Ca.
Yes this, perfect fit and good battery
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
My personal experience with the stock HD battery is that it's lasted through 6 seasons and 60K miles, never leaving me stranded. It does struggle with a start on occasion, but always pulls through. I'm planning on replacing it this winter though for peace of mind.
If there's a better battery regardless of price I'll buy it. But considering I got 6 years out of the stock $120 battery, that's $20 a year for that peace of mind.
You prob wont get a straight answer on OEM vs aftermaket build quality from anyone other then Harley or Deka though.
Typically OEM has more stringent build and QC requirements.
Two words: Battery tender!
If there's a better battery regardless of price I'll buy it. But considering I got 6 years out of the stock $120 battery, that's $20 a year for that peace of mind.
You prob wont get a straight answer on OEM vs aftermaket build quality from anyone other then Harley or Deka though.
Typically OEM has more stringent build and QC requirements.
Two words: Battery tender!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
Deca makes the OEM batteries of Harley Davidson, as well as a lot of other outlets. There are not many battery manufacturers in the U.S. due to the hazardous nature of the industry. Because storage batteries are inherantly heavy, it behoves the purchaser to purchase them as close to home as they can to save on shipping. I have used both the Harley branded batteries and the Deca batteries in the Battery Plus label for quite awhile. I find absolutely no appreciable difference in either...other than the retail price. They both look the same and weight the same. Harley branded batteries which you buy from a Harley store will always cost you more money. My experience is that the Harley stores have a miserable warranty policy on their batteries whereas stores like Battery Plus will give you 24 months swap out.
Last edited by Retrop; Oct 31, 2012 at 10:30 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Agree on batteries plus... have their batts in my sportbikes and lawnmowers. I did not use a tender on my trackbike one winter and they swapped it with no questions asked. I am pretty sure the dealership will not do that.
I got to believe the battery's are like their tires put Harley's name on it and the price goes up. Their Dunlop 407 - 408 are the same tire as do lop elites except the price. However if ya like the battery ya get from harley than you should buy it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 809
Likes: 4
From: Oregon / AZ
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 2,816
From: Oklahoma
Compare the Batteries Plus price against the batterymart price, 2 year warranty and one year warranty respectively, and you can see what you are paying for the extra year of coverage. This is not a criticism, just know for what you are paying.