Could it be you got a dud. I bought a 2016 last year and it looks like an original Yuasa, did a X-country last year, no problems, and will do Alaska this year with the same battery. I do keep it tendered, not sure if that makes a difference, you're the expert on that. Look at Ronald Reagan Jr., even the Gipper produces a hunk of $hyte every once in a while, then there's Patti Davis, maybe twice.