Lithium batteries are newer to the scene, and while they initially had some growing pains, they are now a viable option for many riders. They do have some drawbacks: they are heavy and lose power when stored for extended periods without a smart charger. By being used for so many generations, these batteries are essentially commodity items. First, lead-acid batteries are significantly cheaper. Additionally, if you’re the type of rider who likes to sit and spend extended periods listening to the big stereo you installed, you’ll want to bump up your replacement battery’s capacity, too.Īlthough this topic can get quite heated, both types of batteries have advantages and disadvantages. However, if you have done any performance modifications to your engine, like higher-compression pistons, going for a higher CCA rating is a good idea. This means that it has the power to crank your engine effectively. When it comes to CCA, your new battery should have, at a bare minimum, the same rating as the OEM one. While we, as riders of air-cooled motorcycles, probably won’t be riding the the 0 degree F environment the rating is measured in, it’s a quick way to be sure you’re making an apples-to-apples comparison among batteries. One good way to measure a battery’s power is its Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) rating, which is a standardized measure that can be compared across battery models. So, you can’t just drop in any old motorcycle battery that will fit in the battery box and expect it to work. The reality of V-Twins is that they require a good bit of power to crank over, particularly when cold.

Harley motorcycle battery