| Author | Message | ||
     Froader4life |
I know there has been a lot of talk about lithium ion batteries and they sound great for the weight and space savings but right now I'm on a tight budget and my original battery is on the fritz. I know I can go to a Harley dealer and pay about $100 for a factory one but there are other cheaper ones on eBay and other places. Just looking for opinions or experiences to let me know if it's worth it to buy the $40 one off eBay. | ||
| Craigg |
Everyone can understand being on a tight budget and I'm sure we've all been there. With that being said do you really want to risk installing a cheap battery on a lets just say $10K bike? What's a $100 when you already spent $10K. You're talking about a difference of $60 for a battery you know won't give you problems in the long run. That's just my advice though, I am a cars salesman so I do have a different perspective on items for vehicles. I've never used an inexpensive battery, so I really can't say if its a bad idea. I did buy a Lithium Ion battery and have been happy so far. (Message edited by CraigG on November 09, 2013) | ||
| Nuts4mc |
if you do buy a battery on-line or at Wal Mart...make sure the battery terminal orientation is correct...in the early days of battery failures there were a high number of posts concerning "how do I make the battery leads/connections longer?" in order to utilize a battery designed for a rice burner in a Buell - the terminal/battery connection is also "unique" to the Buell - if you're gonna go the lead acid route and you're a novice at wiring high current connections - buy the HD brand battery...it saves a lot of headaches later... | ||
| Froggy |
The cheapo batteries online often are not AGM and will spill when installed on our bikes. The Harley battery is not bad, and not overpriced. | ||
| Zac4mac |
My opinion - buy the H-D battery or a good LiFePo. I spent 3-1/2 years at the parts counter of my local H-D/B dealer. <edit> Boy, THAT was an eye-opener... The H-D batteries were easy for me to sell because they work well and last a long time. Our 12Ah batteries tend to last 3-5 years with the H-D version when tendered regularly. I have an 08 1125R and a 2009 XB12X, both have their original batteries, stator, rotor and R/R. 1125R has 28k miles, XB12X has 33k miles. Loretta's is now 6 years old, outside the Bell curve to the high side! The H-D batteries ALWAYS outlasted their competition, sometimes by a factor of 2+. Z <edit> Also, pretty sure they are "Made in the USA" (Message edited by zac4mac on November 09, 2013) | ||
| Jdugger |
Don't skimp on batteries. Having one leak or blow up causes a lot more damage than you can imagine. | ||
| Dhays1775 |
I have had a LiFePo4 "Ballistic 12-cell" battery in my CR for a long time. After I got back from an 8 month deployment, it was dead. So, I pulled it out, trickle-charged it on my little solar panel, balanced it on the battery balancer, reinstalled, and all is well. The LiFePo batteries have a very long shelf life, much more so than the AGM batteries. Plus, they come with a pretty badass warranty. Worth every penny to me. I spent $170 on the battery and balancer and they have done pretty good for the past 3 years. And, it only weighs two pounds. I have the stock replacement sitting on the shelf that I trickle charge every other month or so. Absolutely would NOT buy a cheap battery just for the fact that you almost always get what you pay for. Hope this helps. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Just as a (confusing, sorry) data point, myself and a couple others were happy with HD batteries for all the reasons mentioned above for many years, and we got one a year or two ago that only lasted about a year. So the manufacturer must have been having issues. Probably / hopefully cleaned up by now... | ||
| Nik |
Is Deka not an option for the 1125? They're not substantially less expensive than the HD batteries, but they're made in the US and do well in testing. About $70 for the one in my XB. | ||
| Yugi |
H-D batteries are produced by Deka. | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
The stock battery is an AGM? Yausa makes a lot of the OEM batteries, they're fantastic but not cheap. I've always gone the Wal-mart route, but I haven't looked into a battery for the 1125 yet. If the stocker is indeed an AGM, I wouldn't play with it, especially given demands the fans place on the system. I know sitting in traffic for a long time in the DC area, if I shut it down at a light or stall she don't wanna restart. I wouldn't get a battery not meant for it, and I def wouldn't rig something. You can't really beat a good AGM, as far as lead goes. (Message edited by sir_wadsalot on November 11, 2013) | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Do NOT buy Walmart batteries. I've had three fail on me (two car, one bike) in a year or less since installation. My '08 1125's stock battery lasted until this summer, so 5 years, give or take. I went with a Yuasa, though--made in the USA and the local battery retailer had them for $70 or so if I recall correctly. Can't comment on longevity, though--ask me in 5 years--but it has been trouble free thus far! | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
Mehhh, I've had about a one in five fail rate in the Wallyworld specials- but I don't expect much from the cheapest battery I can possibly local source. My stocker's been at it for 5 years now too. I expect it to poop the bed next summer or so. Yausa makes an 1125 specific AGM battery? I tell you the one in my Sportster always started, and I hardly ever rode it and never charged it. | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
I've gone through about 4 batteries in the 5.5 years Ive had my 1125....2 stators and the upgrade later...I bought a 50$ Battery off online -cant remember where- and got a battery tender from cycle gear.....never had a problem since! Jake | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Yeah, the Yuasa battery box said it was AGM and made in the USA. | ||
| Froader4life |
Thanks for everyone's feedback. I will be stopping by American Sport Bike tomorrow to pick up a battery from Al. | ||
| Skntpig |
Battery tender is a must for 1125. Your battery will last a long very long time if you connect after every ride. Still on the original battery here. I have a deka in the other bikes and they work well. |
