I need a little help. I have the standard HD 12 volt battery in my bike, but it sux. I ride often, so not sure why it dies so much. I keep having to put it on the quick charger. I'm tired of this crap. Is there a better battery out there for EFI Softail models?

 

I plug my battery tender in when I pull in the garage.

 

+1, i was just going to say the same thing and if the battery is more than three years old, might want to start to look at replacing it.

 

Dont have a battery tender. Battery 3+ yrs old, stock HD. Suggest your charging system has a malfunction, or you have many extra or hi power accessories. Manual has good trouble shooting advice, start with a quick meter read for 13.75 or better at 2000 rpm at the battery posts. Check that the posts are tight.

 

I just replaced my battery after 3 1/2 years. Never been on a charger, has gone weeks in GA winters without being ridden and never had a problem. My guess is there's something wrong with your system.

 

i replace at 3 years old, the battery sat for 1 year before the bike was sold. went with wal-mart battery but would do deka next time or replace the bike.

 

you may have a direct short thats draining the battery.

In the battery area you will see just below the tank where wires run under a hold down clamp at the frame. Look under that clamp at the wires. I found that one had been pinched at build and had exposed one of the wires

 

It sounds like something is draining your battery. I had an issue where a wire was crimped improperly on my circuit breaker that killed 3 batteries in a row. My first battery lasted 5 years and I have never used a tender. I do ride at least 3 times a week weekly. Get out the multi meter and start checking for shorts. Have you added something recently before your battery started to die? Did something break and get fixed prior to this issue?

Drew

 

I'm still using the battery I got new with my bike in 2004. I remove it from the bike and put it on a charger over the winter. During the riding season I don't keep it on the charge. I'll probably get a new one next spring just for the peace of mind. I agree there may be something draining yours.

 

If you're using a quick charger your probably not helping matters either. I never put over 2 amps into a small battery like that. You can read your charging system very easily with a meter right off of the battery. Read it 'off' and read it 'running'. Should see the difference. Good article on that very thing in HOG magazine this quarter.