I replaced mine after 4 years. A few times, it cranked the engine over slowly so I figured it was time. The wife still has her original in a 2005 Sporty. We don't use battery tenders, here we ride all year long.

 

Heat is the #1 killer of batteries. Someone who lives in the hotter parts of the South and is a daily rider, might only get 2 years. On the other hand, if you live in a cooler/cold climate, and the bike spends the winter plugged into a Tender, 5+ years is reasonable.

 

Mine went 4 and quit in the garage.
I wont wait for this one to quit.
MikeM

 

This is like asking how often should I change my oil. Everyone will have their opinion and they will all be different.

I'll replace this battery when it is 5-6 years old being as how I keep it on a tender during the winter months.

Oh, I change my oil every 5000 miles.

 

It can be directly related to how often you ride. The more you ride, the longer it'll last. So get out there and ride.

 

I fart on mine regularly, it should last a lifetime.

 

Mine on my 06 Roadking is still running strong after 5 years and 22,000 miles. Shows no signs of giving out. I also never put a battery tender on it either. I do have a ? If it is dead, can you start the bike by push starting it in gear and get it going to the nearest dealer? You could on my Honda VTX and run it.

 

If it's fuel injected you need enough power to run the fuel pump (which isn't as much as it takes to crank the starter).

 

i think i remember reading somewhere that you had to have a min of 8 volts to run the fuel injection system. less than that and you'll push until you're blue in the face and nothing is gonna happen.

 

I have found that I usually need to replace around every three years in Wisconsin.