My battery keeps dying on me when I'm out. It turns the engine a bit but not enough to start my Sportster. I keep trying to turn on the bike and then the battery quickly dies. Problem is the bike and the battery aren't that old. I bought the bike new back in 2015 and I've had the battery plugged into a battery tender (for the most part) when I'm not riding. Is it time to get a new battery or could something else be wrong? I find it weird that this battery's life has come to an end so quickly.

 

Voltage regulator may be the problem.

 

Best to use process of elimination.


It sounds like the battery so start there....get a battery with sufficient CCA.


What kind of battery tender to you have? Do you have a voltage tester or multimeter?

 

Thank you. How may I check to see if that is the problem?

 

I have a Deltran Battery Tender junior @ 12V 750 mA

 

Do a search in the sporty forum.... a lot on starting and charging issues. Here is a recent one. with some info.


https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...ng-issues.html

 

ok, thanks. Does it mean anything if I say that when I do get a jump from someone the bike starts right up no problem?

 

Before you start spending lots of money make sure all battery and ground connections are clean AND tight. This is a common issue when bikes sit for extended periods of time. The connectors get corroded which results in poor connection
Second thing is to take the battery to any auto parts store and have them check it out. They will usually check it out free of charge.
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How many miles on your two year old bike? When you ride what is the approximate miles per trip. It takes more than a few minutes of riding to recover the amperage to recharge your battery after starting. A good hour or so should do it but that is only a guess.

 

I have 10,881 miles on her. I ride here and there around town no more than 3-5 miles per trip. I do embark on trips that are about 500 miles round trip a few times a year, however.

 

Normally indicates your battery does not have enough amps to start your bike.....if you don't want the peace of mind of a new battery, get it tested.