Best Battery for Harley-Davidson Sportster Reviewed
Changing vehicle batteries can be complicated since each vehicle requires a battery to attain a specific design, chemical composition, and if it’s sealed or unsealed. Motorcycles, especially Harley-Davidsons, require more power with their batteries since the engines are bigger, and some Harley-Davidsons even share a similar battery as with what an ATV would have.
The Harley-Davidson Sportster despite having one of the smallest engines Harley-Davidson made still needs a lot of battery power. In this article, you’ll see our top picks for the best batteries you can use for your Harley-Davidson Sportster. Let’s get right into it
ACDelco has been famous for a fair amount of time now for their wide variety of quality products, from brake pads, alternators, radiators, and of course batteries. Part of their success comes from the fact that GM owns ACDelco, and with that, their products are in use even with newly produced cars.
Like every battery ACDelco makes, the ACDelco ATX14LB battery retains the same long life capacity and corrosion-free performance. This battery will work with ATVs, large motorcycles, and even snowmobiles. Although, unlike most ACDelco batteries, you do need to out in some extra work with this battery, mainly because the battery is shipped dry. While they’ll include the exact amount of battery acid, you still need to put it in yourself.
While this is great if you’re buying these batteries for bulk as they can last for a longer time, but let’s face it, battery acid is as dangerous as it sounds, and most people only get a new battery when the old one already died out.
Despite having risky, if you set the acid inside correctly, all that’s left is to seal this battery. Once that’s done, this battery won’t need any future maintenance. The components inside this battery are quite nice, there’s an absorbed glass mat, which will absorb all the acid to prevent the dangers of an acid leak, and this way, the acid will hold a charge more effectively. Overall, this is great for DIY mechanics but a hassle for most people.
- Internal absorbed glass mat design makes the battery acid more effective at holding a charge
- Maintenance-free after initial setup
- Holds a longer charge
- Needs initial acid setup
- Voltage and Amperage rating may vary
Our second battery on this list is, of course, a battery brand that gets mentioned every time someone talks about Harley-Davidsons. That is the ThrottleX brand, and for today we’ll discuss the best they got for a Harley Sportster which is the ThrottleX HDX14L.
As its product code suggests, the ThrottleX HDX14L is specifically designed to fit and work with Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and the Sportster is no exception. And ThrottleX will also include a 30-day money-back guarantee with this product if their product didn’t suit your needs.
The battery will supply out up to 220CCA and can hold up to 12Ah of charge. And to prevent compromising the charge over long storage periods. ThrottleX makes sure that each customer gets a battery manufactured within the last 60 days. Since this battery comes sealed from the factory, you won’t deal with an acid setup that can compromise the overall power and capacity that a battery will supply.
Other than that, this ThrottleX battery also integrates the Absorbed Glass Mat technology that prevents acid spills and will hold a charge for longer. The heat-sealed battery cover will also help avoid leaks for years to come. Other than that this battery also uses the ThrottleX patented solid lead terminals that will ensure an efficient electric current, and as a freebie, ThrottleX also includes new stainless steel bolts. And with everything combined, the terminals and the battery itself isn’t just efficient, but it also prevents corrosion build-up.
- Equipped with AGM technology, solid lead terminals, and heat-sealed coversHas OEM spec amperage and capacity
- You might need a trickle charger since this doesn’t hold charges very well over a long time of inactivity
Yuasa batteries are well known in terms of sheer reliability and holding in a charge for a very long time. The Yuasa YUAM3RH4L is a battery specifically designed for touring and cruiser motorcycles such as Harley-Davidsons, and it will work with the Harley Sportster without much hassle. Let’s take a look at the specs.
In terms of power, the Yuasa makes 12V, 12AH, and 200 CCA, which is exact with OEM ratings. Inside the battery is an advanced lead-calcium technology that enables the battery to hold up its specific gravity for up to 3 times longer than other batteries. The insides also have the absorbed glass mat separators like with every battery we mentioned. Although, like the ACDelco battery we mentioned, the Yuasa also needs to be set up by you or your mechanic. The required acid will also come with the battery in an acid bottle.
Now, I mentioned that this battery is famous for its durability and reliability. How reliable? If the acid was setup correctly, and if you drive your motorcycle frequently and maintain a constant charge, the Yuasa YUAM3RH4L should last for 6-8 years, maybe even more. And even if this battery is starting to lose its capacity to hold a charge, this battery won’t suddenly die out on you. Instead, it will start your engine slower as a subtle reminder. Overall, this is best for everyone in terms of reliability and value for money despite being more expensive than average.
- Generally lasts for 6-8 years
- Has OEM rating voltage, amperage, and capacity
- Needs initial acid setup
Are you interested with these batteries for your Harley or perhaps for someone who’s looking for one? For more information regarding these batteries, make sure to check out the links provided above and buy your batteries now! Keep on riding!
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