Over the years I've tried a number of batteries - good quality Gel Cells as well as wet cells - and I am convinced that the OEM battery is the safest bet for good life and cranking power. If that is your original battery on the '05 bike, you did pretty well.
I bought a Deka from AlphaDog on the RoadKingRiders forum. Deka makes the HD battery.
I saved $45.00 by buying from AlphaDog. He is good to do business with.
As mentioned, Deka makes the OEM battery for H-D. You can buy the exact same battery for 40 to 50 bucks less at Batteries Plus. The HD logo on the battery wasn't worth 40 bucks to me, so I bought the Deka.
Odyssey makes a better battery, but costs quite a bit more.
In my area the HD battery was about the same price as the aftermarket ones so I bought the HD OEM. Got 6 years out of my last one so I'd say it was ok for me. Don't use a battery tender in the winter but do alot of riding and keep it charged that way.
I've sure been pleased with the OEM AGM. I replaced the first one in my '00 after 5 years - was still ok, but 15 years of wet cells in my shovel lasting a year each made me wary of a 5 YO battery - and the replacement is still fine 5 years later. If I take a long trip this year I'll probably replace it to be safe, otherwise I'll squeeze another season out of it.
Id really stick with the oem one, usually other brands and even the DEKA ones may be lessor quality than HD. By this I mean it may have less lead in the plates. HD may spec more lead in their battery that the manufacturers puts in their own brand(DEKA).
I bought a Batteries Plus Battery and it lasted 17 months, orig lasted 10 years....but I opted for the Odyssey since It was about $25 cheaper than HD AGM and full 2 year warranty.
06-25-2010, 10:44 AM
