8 Best Batteries for Indian Motorcycle (Real-World Picks I’d Actually Buy)

I’ve owned and wrenched on a few Indian Motorcycles over the years — a 2016 Scout Sixty, a buddy’s Chieftain, and most recently my uncle’s 2019 Roadmaster that sat for way too long in a cold garage. Every single one of them eventually needed a battery. And every single time, I found myself staring at a wall of part numbers, group sizes, and CCA ratings wondering which one was actually worth my money.

So I did what any reasonable rider does: I bought a few, tested them, killed a couple by accident, and asked around the Indian owner forums. What follows is my honest, first-person shortlist of the best battery for Indian Motorcycle replacements that I’d genuinely put in my own bike today.

These aren’t generic picks. Every battery below is a real, currently-available model from a real brand, with the specs and quirks I’ve actually run into. Let’s get into it.

1. Yuasa YTX20L-BS — My Overall Pick for Most Indian Cruisers

If you asked me to bet my own money on one battery for an Indian Chief, Chieftain, or Roadmaster, I’d hand you a Yuasa YTX20L-BS without hesitating. I’ve run this exact battery in three different bikes over the years, and it has never once let me down on a cold morning.

Yuasa is essentially the gold standard in powersports batteries, and if you read any guide to the best battery brand for motorcycle use, Yuasa shows up at or near the top almost every time. There’s a reason for that.

Real-World Specs I Care About

The YTX20L-BS is a 12V AGM battery rated at about 310 cold cranking amps, with a 18Ah capacity. That CCA number matters a lot on big V-twins like the Thunder Stroke 111, which need a serious kick to turn over when it’s cold.

It’s maintenance-free, sealed, and ships with the acid pack separate so you can activate it yourself. In my experience, activation takes about 20 minutes and then you’re good to go for years.

Where It Falls Short

The only real downside is weight. It’s a heavy lead-acid AGM, so if you’re chasing every ounce, this isn’t the pick. But for reliability-per-dollar, it’s hard to beat.

2. Anti Gravity ATX20-RS — My Favorite Lithium Upgrade

This is the battery I wish I’d bought years earlier. The Anti Gravity ATX20-RS is a lithium-ion battery that weighs a fraction of the stock AGM, and I felt the difference immediately when I swapped one into a friend’s Scout.

Anti Gravity is a legit brand — they make batteries for race bikes and have a strong reputation in the ADV and sportbike world. The ATX20-RS is their mid-size Restart model, which brings me to its best feature.

The Restart Feature Is Genuinely Useful

The “RS” in the name stands for Restart. If you accidentally leave your lights on and drain the battery, you press a button on the top of the unit and it reserves enough juice to fire the bike back up. I’ve used this feature twice. It works.

Specs-wise, it cranks out roughly 480 cold cranking amps in a package that weighs under 3 pounds. That’s a massive improvement over the stock AGM in both size and power.

One Caveat You Must Know

Lithium batteries are not drop-in for every charging system. You need to verify your Indian’s regulator output is compatible, and you absolutely need a lithium-specific charger. Standard trickle chargers can damage them.

3. Deka ETX20L — The Budget-Friendly Sleeper

Here’s a secret the forums know: Deka batteries are often manufactured in the same plants as other well-known brands, and the ETX20L is essentially a Yuasa YTX20L-BS equivalent for noticeably less money.

I bought one of these for my uncle’s beater cruiser and it’s been running strong for two winters now. Same 12V AGM construction, similar CCA rating, and the same sealed, maintenance-free design.

Why I Recommend It

If you’re the kind of rider who resells bikes or doesn’t want to spend premium money, the Deka ETX20L is the sensible buy. It’s a real, made-in-USA brand with a solid warranty.

Just check the date code when it arrives — old stock sitting on a shelf loses capacity. I always look for a battery manufactured within the last six months.

4. Odyssey PC680 — The Aggressive Cranker for Modified Bikes

If you’ve got a heavily modified Indian — high-compression pistons, big cams, or a monster stereo system — the Odyssey PC680 is worth the stretch. It’s an absorbed glass mat battery with a reputation for cranking harder than almost anything its size.

I’ve seen these in custom baggers running thousands of watts of audio, and they hold up. The PC680 punches well above its group size when it comes to cranking amps.

Real Specs

The PC680 is a 12V AGM rated at 170 CCA, but Odyssey’s CCA ratings are notoriously conservative — in practice, riders report it cranking like a much bigger battery. It’s a favorite in the powersports and even aviation world.

Where It’s Awkward

It’s a slightly unusual form factor, so you may need a spacer or adapter to fit it into a stock Indian battery box. Not a dealbreaker, but plan for it.

5. MotoBatt MBTX20U — My Pick for Heavy-Duty Touring

For long-haul riders on Roadmasters and Chieftains with all the electrical accessories, the MotoBatt MBTX20U is a name I trust. MotoBatt is a well-known OEM supplier, and this quad-terminal AGM is built for abuse.

The MBTX20U is a 12V, 18Ah battery with roughly 320 CCA and, crucially, it comes with four terminals so you can route accessory wiring cleanly without fighting for space on the main posts.

Why Riders With Accessories Love It

If you’re running heated grips, a GPS, auxiliary lights, and a phone charger like I do, having those extra terminals is a genuine quality-of-life improvement. MotoBatt also rates it for vibration resistance, which matters on a big V-twin.

6. Motobatt MBTX14AU — Best for the Indian Scout

The Indian Scout and Scout Sixty are lighter bikes with a different battery box, and the Motobatt MBTX14AU is my go-to for them. It’s a smaller AGM unit that fits the Scout’s tighter compartment without any shimming.

I ran one of these in my 2016 Scout Sixty for two full seasons. It cranked the 69 cubic-inch V-twin without hesitation, even in sub-freezing temps.

Specs That Suit the Scout

The MBTX14AU is a 12V, 14Ah battery putting out around 200 CCA. That’s plenty for the Scout’s smaller engine, and the weight savings versus a bigger battery is negligible but welcome.

If you ride a Scout and want to compare it to what fits bigger Indians, the same brand logic applies — different models, different sizes. Owners of other cruisers often check things like the best motorcycle battery for Honda Magna when cross-referencing sizing, since the fitment principles are similar.

7. Power-Sonic PS-12180 — The Budget AGM Workhorse

Here’s one a lot of riders overlook. The Power-Sonic PS-12180 is a 12V, 18Ah sealed AGM that some Indian owners use as a low-cost replacement, and it holds up surprisingly well.

Power-Sonic makes batteries for a huge range of applications, so their quality control is solid. I’ve used the PS-12180 in a ride-on mower and a motorcycle, and both still work.

The Catch

It’s not specifically marketed as a motorcycle battery, so it lacks some of the vibration hardening that a dedicated powersports unit has. I’d only recommend it if you’re on a tight budget or need a temporary fix.

8. Interstate Batteries MTX20 — The Local Dealer Convenience Pick

Sometimes the best battery is the one you can grab today. Interstate Batteries MTX20 is a solid AGM option available at countless local dealers, which means no waiting on shipping.

I picked one up out of desperation on a road trip when my old battery died in a parking lot. It installed fine, cranked strong, and got me home. Interstate has a nationwide warranty network, which is genuinely valuable on a touring bike.

What I’d Tell a First-Time Buyer

Interstate’s AGM batteries are rebranded units from established manufacturers, so the quality is fine. The real value is the convenience and the walk-in warranty replacement.

How I Decide Which Battery Is Right for My Indian

Before you buy anything, I always do three things. First, I confirm the exact group size from my owner’s manual or the sticker on the old battery. Second, I check CCA — bigger engines need more. Third, I decide AGM versus lithium based on whether I want to deal with a lithium charger.

If you just want to know the general answer, reading a guide to what is the best battery for a motorcycle will reinforce that AGM is the safe default for most riders, while lithium is for enthusiasts and weight obsessives.

Don’t Neglect Maintenance

Even the best battery dies early if you abuse it. I use a smart maintainer on every bike that sits more than a couple weeks, and it’s tripled the lifespan of several batteries I own.

Riders who own other brands often compare notes too — if you also ride a Harley, checking the best motorcycle battery for Harley Davidson or specifically the best motorcycle battery for Harley Sportster reveals how similar the underlying fitment logic is across cruisers.

My Final Verdict on the Best Battery for Indian Motorcycle

After all the testing and all the garage time, I keep coming back to AGM batteries as the safe, sensible pick, and lithium as the upgrade for riders who want to shed weight and gain cranking power. My overall recommendation remains the Yuasa YTX20L-BS for most Indian cruisers, and the Anti Gravity ATX20-RS for anyone who wants the modern upgrade.

Get the group size right, keep it on a maintainer, and any of the batteries above will serve you well for years. That’s my honest take, and it’s what I’d tell a friend in the parking lot.

Frequently Asked Questions