sadicarnot Posted March 31, 2012 Share #1 Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) Well here goes. I have been stranded several times in the past by batteries and don't necessarily mind buying a new one before it is needed. I bought my '09 RSTD in June of '10 and it came with a BikeMaster TruGel battery. I was looking to maybe get a Shorai, but they are so dang expensive. I ended up getting a YSS Shock and decided it would be a good time now to change the battery as the shock is easier to get to thru the battery compartment. I was going to get an Odyssey but I never did like how the posts are and it is usually a PITA to get the wires to be just right. I looked at some of the posts on this site and saw good info on the Deka, and considering the price ($90.95 to my door) decided to pull the trigger on an ETX20L from Bohannon Battery. I phoned them Wednesday and since they and I are both in Florida I got the battery on Thursday via USPS. The battery is very well packed with styrofoam: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6885911518_6bd0bbb4ff_b.jpg The battery case on first inspection looks to be very well made and very sturdy: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/6885917970_5de955993c_b.jpg I like the posts; they look easier to deal with than the captured nut style on other brands and screw hole found on the Odyssey. I am not sure what the post material is, you will have to be careful not to strip them when they are tightened: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7032017739_abe90d43ff_b.jpg The battery includes 2 bolts and copper washers. Deka has a very elagent solution to include the screws: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7032016931_89f0fa3849_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7032015837_b003a8c803_b.jpg Here is the Bike Master TruGel in my RSTD: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7032018807_87a524119a_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7032020597_9a5c264e65_b.jpg I never liked the case on the TruGel. It seems to be cheap and toy like and very plasticy, more plasticy than a plastic battery case should be like. Side by side I think the Deka has a much better, and more industrial construction feel to it: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/6885925022_f08531ea0c_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7032023643_0f69efa292_b.jpg Alright, well let the flames begin. I took the battery and shock out last night. Going to put it all back together today. I will post a separate post on the shock. Edited March 31, 2012 by sadicarnot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warriorhoneybee Posted March 31, 2012 Share #2 Posted March 31, 2012 looks good to me. i thought a member sold the deka battery but not sure of the price. good luck on the shock replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoneman1981 Posted March 31, 2012 Share #3 Posted March 31, 2012 Hello: I too have that same Delka battery. No complaints. Nice write up. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 31, 2012 Share #4 Posted March 31, 2012 I too have a Deka from Bohannan. Its a pleasure dealing with Josh there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snaggletooth Posted March 31, 2012 Share #5 Posted March 31, 2012 You're not going to get many flames on the DEKA. One tough battery. I installed mine in April '09 and still cranks like a new one. Always have 12.8 on the digital voltmeter when I hit the switch. Never been charged, never been on a tender. Never needed it. You made a good choice and you should be vey happy with the performance. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadicarnot Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted March 31, 2012 I too have a Deka from Bohannan. Its a pleasure dealing with Josh there. I spoke to a very nice woman when I called. I ended up buying a new car battery when I got stranded at work, had a co-worker jump me then went straight to Advance to get a new one. If I have warning in the future Bohannan will be where I go for all my future battery needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venturous Randy Posted March 31, 2012 Share #7 Posted March 31, 2012 A few weeks ago I ran my DEKA completely down after parking the bike with the fog lights on for a couple days. I charged it over night and it is doing just fine. I had an Odessy and it worked good, but I think the DEKA may be a bit stronger. RandyA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadicarnot Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted March 31, 2012 Got the shock in and Deka is installed. Just a note, the Deka has 310 CCA vs 240 for the TruGel. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7032652087_c7743bafc1_b.jpg Here it is installed: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6886556850_feac14dbf2_b.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/6886559394_e226bc7122_b.jpg by sadicarnot, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drkngas Posted April 1, 2012 Share #9 Posted April 1, 2012 I have not had good luck with the Bike Master Tru Gel in other bikes and will never purchase another one. I got my bike loaded and ready to leave for Big Bend last Monday after going for a ride. When I went to pull the bike in the garage I hit the starter and nothing. So Monday, the day all motorcycle shops are closed and 12 hours before I was scheduled to leave for the ride across Texas, I had to purchase a Duralast battery from Autozone. I did not have any problems with this battery. Has anyone else installed a Duralast? What can I expect out of it? I usually a Yuasa only guy. Never heard of DEKA till now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadicarnot Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted April 1, 2012 I have not had good luck with the Bike Master Tru Gel in other bikes and will never purchase another one. I got my bike loaded and ready to leave for Big Bend last Monday after going for a ride. When I went to pull the bike in the garage I hit the starter and nothing. So Monday, the day all motorcycle shops are closed and 12 hours before I was scheduled to leave for the ride across Texas, I had to purchase a Duralast battery from Autozone. I did not have any problems with this battery. Has anyone else installed a Duralast? What can I expect out of it? I usually a Yuasa only guy. Never heard of DEKA till now. I have had good luck with Duralast in their car batteries. I had a buddie that got a bike battery several years ago from a car place for his bike, not sure what brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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