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What makes me qualified as a Kawasaki owner to tell you what the best Harley-Davidson battery is? Well, the first motorcycle I ever rode was a Harley. It was a 2003 100th Anniversary Screamin’ Eagle Deuce. I remember struggling to move it around the garage with an awkwardly large and kicked-out front tire. It would live on a battery tender in the garage because it wasn’t the go-to bike to ride. And I come from the stereotypical “Harley family” and I’ve used just about every battery brand out there. With that, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. So, stop buying those cheap and unreliable batteries on Amazon and buy the quality battery that will deliver reliable power to keep your Harley roaring.
Summary List
- Best Overall: BikeMaster Lithium Ion 2.0 Battery
- Best Budget: BikeMaster High Performance Maintenance-Free Battery
- Honorable Mention: PowerStar Motorcycle Battery for Harley-Davidson
- Best Lightweight: Fire Power Featherweight Lithium Battery
- Best OEM Match: Twin Power Max+ AGM Battery For Harley
- Best High CCA: Duraboost V-Twin Activated AGM Battery
Our Methodology
Have you bought a cheap no-name battery from Amazon? I have, and it was a huge letdown. Don’t be like me and learn the hard way. Your bike deserves better, and The Drive wants to help you have the best experience possible with your bike. When choosing the best Harley batteries for this list, I only considered reputable brands with a history of reliable performance. This ensures that each battery on the list would perform well and be safe in your bike.
I then looked for batteries that came in a wide range of strengths and dimensions to ensure a battery is available for every type of Harley. Cold crank strength was also important to ensure each batter was strong enough to start your bike. Finally, I looked for extra features that separated the best from the rest. These features included corrosion-resistant terminals, extra strong construction, lighter weight, and performance-enhancing qualities.
Best Harley Battery Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
BikeMaster Lithium Ion 2.0 Battery
Best Budget
BikeMaster High Performance Maintenance-Free Battery
Honorable Mention
PowerStar Motorcycle Battery for Harley-Davidson
Best Lightweight
Fire Power Featherweight Lithium Battery
Best OEM Match
Twin Power Max+ AGM Battery For Harley
Best High CCA
Duraboost V-Twin Activated AGM Battery
Our Verdict
My top pick for the best Harley battery is the BikeMaster Lithium-Ion 2.0 Battery with its lighter weight and easy-to-read voltage meter that uses an LCD screen to tell your battery’s status. For a more affordable option, the BikeMaster High Performance Maintenance-Free Battery won’t let you down with its 30 percent more cranking amps and additional internal plates for improved performance.
Things to Consider Before Buying Harley Battery
Cold Cranking Amps
The cold-cranking amps are the amount of power the battery can produce on command when you go to start the motor. A battery that doesn’t have a high enough CCA rating will struggle to supply enough power to start your bike. If you have an older or vintage Harley, you’ll want a battery with a higher CCA rating because the starter and alternator are older and probably deteriorated. Additionally, if you’ve installed aftermarket accessories like lighting kits, radios, or anything else that uses electrical power, then you’ll also want a battery with a higher CCA rating to power all of these extra accessories.
Dimensions
The battery you buy needs to fit in the compartment on your bike. If it’s too big, then it won’t fit. If it’s too small, the battery will rattle around in the cage. While foam can fill the void, this isn’t always the best solution. Reputable battery manufacturers make finding a compatible battery easy by listing accurate dimensions and compatibility charts. However, if you buy a budget battery from a less-than-reputable battery manufacturer, you could easily find yourself with a battery that won’t fit your bike.
Types
There are three types of batteries that you’ll consider, sealed lead acid, AGM, and gel. Lead-acid batteries are the traditional battery type but have their limitations. They are the least efficient and perform best when kept upright. AGM batteries are sealed batteries that require no maintenance. They can perform at any orientation and excel in Harleys because of their fast discharge rate, which benefits the cranking over of large displacement engines. The last type is a gel, which is the most expensive and best delivers a flow and long discharge of power.
Harley-Davidson Battery Pricing
Harley batteries range in price from about $75 to $250, depending on the brand and particular model. The type of battery influences the cost, with lead-acid batteries being the most affordable and gel batteries being the most expensive. Another factor is the size and power of the battery. Larger and more powerful batteries are more costly than smaller and less powerful batteries. While you can find cheaper batteries in the $50 range, they aren’t worth it. Their initial cost savings end up costing you more in the long run because these batteries don’t last as long as better quality and more expensive batteries.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: Harley-Davidson uses Deka-East Penn Manufacturing batteries in its motorcycles. This is the current official battery manufacturer.
A: Don’t throw your lead-acid battery in the regular trash. You can return the battery to recycling locations. Typically, these are located at dealerships, home improvement stores, service shops, and auto parts retailers.
A: The exact lifespan of your motorcycle battery will depend on several factors. However, a well-maintained Harley battery should last up to five years before requiring replacement. On the other hand, lack of proper charging, bad terminal connection, corrosion, and too many electrical add-ons can prematurely drain your Harley battery.
A: A visual inspection will let you know if there is corrosion or physical damage to the battery. It could have cracks, leaks, or bulging in the casing. Additionally, if you try to start the bike and it doesn’t do anything, this could be a sign that the battery is dead.
A: When you aren’t riding your motorcycle, keep it connected to a battery tender. This provides a trickle charge that keeps the motorcycle battery fully charged. Also, look for one with an auto shutoff when the battery is charged to prevent overcharging.