which battery

OK, I"ve been using batteries from walmart/farm&fleet for as long as I can remember, they"ld last about 2 or so years, even though I kept them on a trickle charger over the winter (they were cheap enough) 2 relace at 30-40 dollars, now I"m looking to replace with a better one, but there are so many to choose from, ....sealed,not sealed, ballistic 4 cell,8 cell, lithium ion, maintenace free, ...I just want a good battery, its for an LTD 1000, 1075, dyna 2000, halogen headlight,& plan on going to LEDs for running, turn, & tail lights....help me make up my mind...Pete

The thing that kills bike batteries is because all the lights stay on with the key and load the battery when you crank the starter. Mine used to eat a battery every 18 months (no matter what kind) until I rewired it to cut off the lights when the starter relay is energized. Now they last about 5 - 6 years typical.

For you, I would just get the best quality wet cell battery since they give the most for the money. AGMs are very good but pricey. I am not buying the LI-Fe batteries until I see how they do in the field for a while.

Also: make sure your trickle charger is "smart" and also temp compensated so it won't over/under charge. That kills batteries too.

I use Sears Die Hard batteries. They last about 6+ years. During the winter months I start up the bike every couple weeks, and if the weather is too cold snowy or icy to ride I let it idle for 15 minutes or so to keep the fuel from mucking up the carbs, keep oil on the cylinder walls, and keep the battery charged. This routine has worked really well for me. One thing to keep in mind is to check the water level in the battery every month or so to keep it from running dry; use distilled water to top it off. Whatever you decide, when you get a new battery charge it at LOW amperage (not more than 2 amps) or you will shorten its life. Ed

A lot of it depends on where you are too. Here in Florida because of the heat the average battery life is about 2 1/2 to 3 years. While I've seen batteries from up north that are 6 years old. The same goes for cars as well. I just had to put a new battery in my bike and it was an AGM Wal-Mart battery and it lasted about 3 years. On the occasions where I do have to let my bike sit I put it on my 1.5A trickle charger that has a float mode and it's done well for me.

For sure running a water fill battery is like going back to points from electronic ignition, or going from fuel injection back to carbs. I'll never run another watered piece of crap again. Yuasa sealed batterys are great but they don't make sizes for most old bikes with small batterys. Last battery I bought was a Motobatt sealed AGM and I am really happy with it so far. Only been a few months though, but I think it's a good battery.

I'm in Pennsylvania and the last battery I had in my 440 was a walmart water filled. It lasted 7 years and was still good when I replaced it. I got another everstart wet battery a couple of years ago and its still going strong. Granted....I got to check the lever at least twice a year riding from March to November.

I don't mind adding water once or twice a year, but back when I used to ride a lot, I did lots of 800 mile days, and lots of 1000 mile days on a KZ1000. On this bike for this kind of riding the battery must be filled every day, so on trips I had to take distilled water and a means to fill the battery, and on the KZ1000 the snorkle must be removed, the cables unhooked, the mount bracket removed, then pull the battery to fill it every day. 2 days and the battery is dry and most likely damaged beyond saving. Little extra work I could have been using the time for more important matters.

I've seen trickle charters kill a lot of batteries, I don't know about these "smart ones" but they seem to overcharge batteries when left unattended for long winters. I wired up a simple set up to keep all my batteries happy, including cordless drill battering. Essentially its just a bank of receptacles on a timer that kicks on for about a 1/2 hour daily. Been 3 years and counting with happy batteries.

Tomolu5 wrote: I've seen trickle charters kill a lot of batteries, I don't know about these "smart ones" but they seem to overcharge batteries when left unattended for long winters.

If they are not temperature compensated to track the battery, they will kill it.