Tried to start the glide today...and the the starter sounded like it jammed solid (a loud clank)! I waited a second and then it turned over again and it started (but it struggled..as if i've increased the compression). Its been close to 3 years on the original battery...is this the sign of a weak battery..or something worse??

 

...and has anyone tried odessey batteries??

 

Yep, sounds like the battery and yes, I currently use an Odyssey in my 113". The are good batteries IMO but depending what you are running it may be overkill=wasted money. I run it because of higher then stock compression.

 

Thanks

 

Loud clank could be indication of other problems.
Bad battery or loose electrical connections will give a click, dull thud or slow labored cranking.

 

My battery just passed away yesterday as well. I've had this battery for a long time and keep it on a tender whenever it's not being ridden. It has paid off for me. I'm probably going to try the Big Crank ETX30L from Battery Mart. It's got some good reviews.

 

I will second the Big Crank ETX30L from Battery Mart. The exact same battery HD uses at half the price.

 

Aloha All,
I dropped the extra coin ($350) for a Shorai brand Lithium Iron Prismatic Cell (LifePo4) battery for my 08 Police Model Road King (103 ci). If you’re interested, the numbers from their website are as follows; Sku: 4897034420395 and Part Number: LFX36L3-BS12. The battery is about half the size (they include foam padding to fill the empty space) and it is super lite compared to the stock battery. I went through the Harley battery in less than three years. I bought the bike used and had to put a battery in right after I shipped it to the west coast. I ride at least 6 days a week, yes because I can! I hope at a $350 price tag, I can get a least five years out of it. Anybody have one of these batteries in service that long yet? If not, I'll let you know in 2017 if it made it the five years I'm looking for.
Needle

 

My OEM battery is now 6+ yrs old and although its still works fine...sometimes it sounds like is "groaning" a bit to get that first crank over. I could be imagining it but thats what it sounds like. So Im reading up on all the newest battery technology and Ive seen good reports on Odyssey in the HD net forums and a few good reviews on the newest Lithium Ion batteries on the sport bike forums. The Ion being much lighter would be a benefit. These touring bikes could stand to lose a few pounds, me included. Its not Winter here yet so I think I have time left.....

 

I don't think I would pay extra for a battery that does not give me any extra advantage. Li-ion does not last any longer than lead/acid, it does, just like lead/acid perform less good in cold weather and doesn't like heat any more either. It is however, lighter so, if you have to push your scoot a long way down the road, you want this battery.