Topic: Harley battery, OUCH!!

[dhall57]

After 6 years my Wide Glide battery bit the dust. Not complaining bike is not rode that much plus sitting in a unheated garage for 6 winters. Im happy it lasted that long. I know like everything else batteries are expensive and the maintenance free sealed units being the most and having HD stamped on makes it even more. For my birthday a couple weeks ago my son bought me a new one from the local HD dealership. I told him to take the old core to Carquest, Napa because I deal with them a lot in my job and to match it up and to get wholesale price on one. I got one this way for my 750KO, not a maintenance free one but only paid $50. My son wanted to get me the factory Harley battery so he did and it cost him $138 I hope this one will last 6 years or longer at that price. Ridiculous!!

[LesterPiglet]

Can you give us the specs of the battery so we can see how much Harley riders get ripped off?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

We only get ripped IF we buy from the dealer.

[WhyNot2]

I bought my last one form the stealership and I paid 118 bucks and they don't take the core back. I just replaced it again with one form Advanced Auto, cost me 89, plus 9 bucks core, so 80 bucks plus tax this time around.

My batteries lasted only 3-1/2 years each.

All of this is of course with the Harley.

Haven't owned nor riden the Hondas long enough yet to see how those batteries last.

[dhall57]

Not putting down Harley, parts are just expensive and my 97WG has been a great bike. I was thinking $100 maybe $105 tops for a HD battery. But when my son told me he paid almost $140 it really surprised me.

[754]

 I wonder what an OEM gOLDWING BATTERY COSTS..

[Gordon]

Why was he so set on getting you a HD brand battery? 

[Goofaroo]

Harley Davidson's business model is not to sell bikes-  it is to sell the Harley brand.  If you've never been to a Harley shop you need to check it out. Any Harley shop I've ever been to is 90% department store and 10% bike shop. If you need to buy a bandana, Christmas ornament,, leather halter top, light switch plate, dishes, shot glasses, gay biker jacket (or hat), fringed chaps, handlebar tassels, cologne, perfume, t-shirt, panties, belts, wall clocks, etc.,   then they have it in your size or color. Just don't ask them for fork fluid and expect them to understand what you are talking about. We have a Harley shop right here about 3 miles from my house but I have to go to the city to go to a bike shop. They are of no use to a motorcycle rider unless you have a new Harley under warranty.

They make a pittance on the bikes compared to what the sheep are willing to pay for the Harley logo on their bar napkins and swizzle sticks.   

[srbakker]

I seriously doubt HD (or any bike manufacturer) produces their own batteries.  You are buying something rebranded.  Why pay the extra fee?

[jamesb]

Harley Davidson's business model is not to sell bikes-  it is to sell the Harley brand.  If you've never been to a Harley shop you need to check it out. Any Harley shop I've ever been to is 90% department store and 10% bike shop. If you need to buy a bandana, Christmas ornament,, leather halter top, light switch plate, dishes, shot glasses, gay biker jacket (or hat), fringed chaps, handlebar tassels, cologne, perfume, t-shirt, panties, belts, wall clocks, etc.,   then they have it in your size or color. Just don't ask them for fork fluid and expect them to understand what you are talking about. We have a Harley shop right here about 3 miles from my house but I have to go to the city to go to a bike shop. They are of no use to a motorcycle rider unless you have a new Harley under warranty.

They make a pittance on the bikes compared to what the sheep are willing to pay for the Harley logo on their bar napkins and swizzle sticks.   

i know hat you mean i had yo get some parts for my freind when i was workingon his bike they had to order everything but yet the walls where coverd with useless crap to make you and your bike look better at the stoplight

[LesterPiglet]

Harley Davidson's business model is not to sell bikes-  it is to sell the Harley brand.  If you've never been to a Harley shop you need to check it out. Any Harley shop I've ever been to is 90% department store and 10% bike shop. If you need to buy a bandana, Christmas ornament,, leather halter top, light switch plate, dishes, shot glasses, gay biker jacket (or hat), fringed chaps, handlebar tassels, cologne, perfume, t-shirt, panties, belts, wall clocks, etc.,   then they have it in your size or color. Just don't ask them for fork fluid and expect them to understand what you are talking about. We have a Harley shop right here about 3 miles from my house but I have to go to the city to go to a bike shop. They are of no use to a motorcycle rider unless you have a new Harley under warranty.

They make a pittance on the bikes compared to what the sheep are willing to pay for the Harley logo on their bar napkins and swizzle sticks.

Love it.   

[faux fiddy]

I bought some NNOS harley stuff as only bidder. Sold it on CL, wish I'd have priced it at the dealership before I sold it, one item had a dozen responses, people driving (riding) 50 miles to come get it.

If I'd have checked what the dealership wanted I might have made 10x what I bought it for instead of 4x, and still been giving a good deal.

[RatBikeRandy]

I've had good luck with the HD batteries with 2 lasting about 8 years.  The price drastically increased in a 6 month period when I purchased them for two different bikes (same battery). Went from about $80 to $125 even during a 15% off sale.  Now running an Everstart from Wal-Mart, but it was still pretty expensive at $87.  Seems like a good battery and it is made by Yuasa; the only issue is since it is universal I had to use the included extensions for the terminals. 

I just bought another Everstart for a Suzuki Bandit and it was around $55 - seems like the same battery but smaller.

[WhyNot2]

I went to the local Harley stealership to see what the 40,000 service was going to cost.............................


$706.00

[Xnavylfr]

I'm sorry to tell the Harley riders in this group this , but if you buy a accessory in a HARLEY shop to in stall on your bike it is NOT made by HARLEY. As a matter of fact there are many parts on a BRAND NEW bike that is NOT HARLEY made ie mirrors,grips tires,handlebars, windshield, saddlebags. Think about it ,if it can be added or removed from the original skins of the bike then it is not HARLEY made and a lot of those parts are made in JAPAN......


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[WhyNot2]

Yep.................

Just as anything sposively "American made".....is not.

"John Deere" an American made Icon of America. Has very little, even on the skin of it, made in America. Engine from Mexico, Trans from China, Axle from India.

So........................Harley, being like the rest of the world, is all 'bout money.

[Magpie]

Frank, just over $100. Cliff.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Man, you should have just brought it in to your local Interstate Battery dealer, taken the core in and probably received a better battery in the end for a cheaper price.

[754]

 Thanks Cliff (magpie), that is cheaper than I thought it would be..that was OEM, right?

[Magpie]

Yuasa site has them at $109 I think. Sent you an email Frank. Cliff.

[heffay]

I went to the local Harley stealership to see what the 40,000 service was going to cost.............................


$706.00

that's really not too bad, i'd say.  i would have expected 3-4 times that, honestly.... not that i would pay it.
the local stealerships here in town "RideNow" (not HD) have a $375 intake fee... that is almost $400 just to get them to accept your bike into service, this doesn't include the actual cost of service, yet.       my buddy who worked there for 8 years wanted them to do a final service before he sold his 2 quads, a tune/oil change was over $1k!!  talk about getting shafted!  its not just the HD shops.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I went to the local Harley stealership to see what the 40,000 service was going to cost.............................


$706.00

How's your Harley been during those 40,000 miles? I'm there too and mine has been trouble free. Great bike. The local dealer stealer here in Colorado Springs apparently was told to lower their maintenance service prices due the the overlapping charges and unnecessary "work" that they listed as part of those 10,000 mile etc services. Good thing too because I don't want to learn Harley mechanics, just Honda mechanics which are a necessity.

[WhyNot2]

I went to the local Harley stealership to see what the 40,000 service was going to cost.............................


$706.00

How's your Harley been during those 40,000 miles? I'm there too and mine has been trouble free. Great bike. The local dealer stealer here in Colorado Springs apparently was told to lower their maintenance service prices due the the overlapping charges and unnecessary "work" that they listed as part of those 10,000 mile etc services. Good thing too because I don't want to learn Harley mechanics, just Honda mechanics which are a necessity.

My Harley has run pretty good those 40k, no major issues.........I have been doing my own services. Haven't dug into the engine yet, as haven't needed to.

Have a 75 750 and a 74 350 and have been paying attention to them.

Love my Harley and love my Hondas too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right now, I'm in need of a rear wheel collar/spacer to get my 750 back on the road....................................anyone......................anyone.