Aftermarket Batteries

By Dennis Santopietro

Question Why do you advise to use a Harley battery? Is the quality of aftermarket batteries that bad or is the Harley battery just a better battery? Thanks for all your help. Fix My Hog has helped me maintain my 2005 FXD since it was new and after almost 29,000 miles, it’s still running great! Steven

Via Email


Answer Hi Steven, Most motorcycle batteries are manufactured by Yuasa International. The reason I prefer the H/D battery is that they are built to strict vendor specs not only size but CCA and internal design. I have tested and cut open just about every battery available and believe me there are differences, I mean big differences in what the batteries have inside from plate material and configuration to lug design and retention the list goes on. No matter what the difference in price don’t sell yourself short when buying a battery. Also, remember voltage and amperage can play hell on electronics if not working correctly, always check your charging system any time you replace or unhook your battery.

Never say never – We had a chance to look at new batteries during our electrical class videos. Is Lithium the next stock replacement?




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5 Responses to “Aftermarket Batteries”

  1. Andre

    I live in a very hot climate. Batteries usually only last about a year here. Will a Lithium battery do better? How should I maintain it? Battery tender?

  2. Tom

    Try to change my battery on my 2007 road king brought home new one and does not fit but am being told they changed number on battery but is same can you help me out thanks Tom

  3. ANTHONY

    <strong> Ticket 22307 I own a 2011 Softail Heritage custom Classic and need a new battery. thinking of getting a lithium battery . any thoughts?

  4. George Morris

    I recently replaced my battery on my 02 Road King, within 15 minutes I noticed an electrical smell but didn't find a source, soon after my headlights and taillight went out yet I still had my signal lights and fender light. Would this be due to the battery or is this a coincidence and I have short or faulty part in the wiring?

  5. Scott

    There are in fact good high quality aftermarket maint free factory activated AGM batteries avail for considerably less $$$$ that have more CCA power then hd's original and or replace battery has thats 385cca @ approx $170+.. Deka power sports series of mant free fact act AGM motorcycle batteries for HD touring bikes (ETX30L) has 400CCA /30AH thats avail online for $100-109 to you door depending on vendor or locally avail @ autozone name (mfg'd by deka) for $140 vs HD lower output 385cca battery for $170+. Same Deka ETX30L battery is avail from batteryMart online under BigCrank label for approx $109. Dekas ETX30L manit free factory activated AGM battery with 400CCA/30AH rating has been on the market for quite a few yrs where it has earned a reputation as being a high quality long lasting dependable battery with a srv'c life of 4.5-5yrs+ on avg with some people getting as much as 6-6.5yrs srv'c life which i have experienced 1st hand with this battery in my bikes &amp; other bikes i maintain/repair for other people too. And think about this,,Deka batteries (many Yuasa now state on the batter case they are mfg in PA. ) are both mfg'd in PA. as are HD motorcycles themselves too and word on the street for yrs has been Deka mfg's the maint free factory activated AGM batteries for HD's which makes sense since both HD's &amp; Deka batteries are both mfg'd in PA . But i dont know for 100% sure if thats the case because as far as i am aware of nobody @ HD has ever confirmed that Deka mfg's their AGM maint free batteries per their spec requirement. Happy Safe Motoring! Scott