Battery Life
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 51
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From: San Diego
Battery Life
I have been told by the dealer that the life of a battery on my 2014 Street Bob is only two years. I didn't believe them but as it turns out every two years I do have to replace my battery . . . is this the truth for everyone else? I've owned multiple bikes and never had short battery life like that. I've looked through the forums and see most people saying 4-5 years and the ones that claim 2 live in super humid areas (I'm in San Diego). I just can't figure out if those 4-5 year projections are weekend riders or dailies as I do ride every single day. Trying to figure out if I actually have an electronic issue to track down, need to buy batteries from someone other than Harley, or really do just have to buy a new battery every two years at the stupid cost the dealer offers. I keep the thing on a tender every night!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
You might want to:
- check out your charging system per the sticky in the electrical forum
- make sure all your electrical connections are clean and tight
- make sure the battery is strapped in tight and not bouncing around
- consider putting some insulation around the battery, as maybe it’s getting too hot.
I’m approaching 4 years on an HD battery, and will replace it soon...just because.
You should be getting at least 4 years out of the HD batteries.
- check out your charging system per the sticky in the electrical forum
- make sure all your electrical connections are clean and tight
- make sure the battery is strapped in tight and not bouncing around
- consider putting some insulation around the battery, as maybe it’s getting too hot.
I’m approaching 4 years on an HD battery, and will replace it soon...just because.
You should be getting at least 4 years out of the HD batteries.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Likes: 98
From: Post Falls,Idaho
I had a 2007 Road king and the Battery was replaced in 2014.It was getting weak and the shop said it had a good life.It was the original made by East penn.Third year on my 2016 RGS and have no problem.Its plugged in at all times unless I’m traveling.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 31
From: Marlton, NJ
I just replaced the OEM battery in my 14' FXDF for this season. It was a weak starter most of last season and started noticing the display would reset sometimes during first cold start. Had to jump it one time the day after thanksgiving because it wouldn't start on the cold morning from sitting overnight. I bought my bike at the end of 14'
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,990
Likes: 7,111
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
I have been told by the dealer that the life of a battery on my 2014 Street Bob is only two years. I didn't believe them but as it turns out every two years I do have to replace my battery . . . is this the truth for everyone else? I've owned multiple bikes and never had short battery life like that. I've looked through the forums and see most people saying 4-5 years and the ones that claim 2 live in super humid areas (I'm in San Diego). I just can't figure out if those 4-5 year projections are weekend riders or dailies as I do ride every single day. Trying to figure out if I actually have an electronic issue to track down, need to buy batteries from someone other than Harley, or really do just have to buy a new battery every two years at the stupid cost the dealer offers. I keep the thing on a tender every night!
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 276
Likes: 63
From: Jasper, AL
I'm a daily rider with two bikes. My bikes aren't ever on a tender or charger, and it is very unusual for either one to sit for more than 3 or 4 days in a row. The OEM Harley battery crapped out after about 15 months (20,000 miles). The OEM Yuasa (made in USA) battery in my Triumph was replaced after about 4 years/100k miles. Both Bikes got new Yuasas, and both are still going strong 30 months (30k on the HD, 40k on the Triumph) later.
My Honda required a new battery every 2 years, and my HD batteries have lasted around 2 as well. I would leave the battery in the bikes during the winter but left them on a tender, but now I'm taking it inside during the cold months and see if that makes a difference.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 21
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Anyone else using the HD trickle charger? The parts guy at the local dealer, when he sold me a new battery in 2016 for my SB, told me to stop using the Battery Tender Plus and to only use the HD trickle charger. And to plug it in after every ride, plus over the winter. But, I noticed the bike was having a harder time starting at the end of last year, which seems wrong since I put very few miles on it! And I'm not running a security system etc, so no real drain on it.
I did buy an Optimate 7 battery charger that does recondition a battery as well as being a trickle charger, etc.a few months ago. I haven't connected it up yet.
Anyone used this type of charger before?
I did buy an Optimate 7 battery charger that does recondition a battery as well as being a trickle charger, etc.a few months ago. I haven't connected it up yet.
Anyone used this type of charger before?
Last edited by Krash26; Apr 5, 2018 at 09:59 AM.
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I own a 2014 street bob as well..... here it is 2018 and it's coming up on an exact 4 years since I've owned the bike. I'm still rockin' the original battery that came in the bike.
I never used a tender the first 3 years I owned it, I rode the hell out of it and it never sat for more than 2 weeks, and most times never more than a few days. Since I've moved, got a new truck that is much more comfortable to drive, and better on fuel than my last I'm not as eager to ride since it's gotten cold this past winter or chance it with rain. So anytime my bike sits now I throw it on the tender a few hours before I ride, and plug it in about once a week if its going to sit a little while, and unplug the tender once it shows solid green light for 100% charge. But I also expect this will probably be the last year of this battery.
Batteries are all about care. and the best thing you can do for them is "work" them. They hate extreme heat, and extreme cold. They also die quick if you let them discharge to the point they cant start the bike, or have a large load or overly large amp draw on them (like you shorted it out)
I never used a tender the first 3 years I owned it, I rode the hell out of it and it never sat for more than 2 weeks, and most times never more than a few days. Since I've moved, got a new truck that is much more comfortable to drive, and better on fuel than my last I'm not as eager to ride since it's gotten cold this past winter or chance it with rain. So anytime my bike sits now I throw it on the tender a few hours before I ride, and plug it in about once a week if its going to sit a little while, and unplug the tender once it shows solid green light for 100% charge. But I also expect this will probably be the last year of this battery.
Batteries are all about care. and the best thing you can do for them is "work" them. They hate extreme heat, and extreme cold. They also die quick if you let them discharge to the point they cant start the bike, or have a large load or overly large amp draw on them (like you shorted it out)
Last edited by 2500hdon37s; Apr 5, 2018 at 11:43 AM.
Anyone else using the HD trickle charger? The parts guy at the local dealer, when he sold me a new battery in 2016 for my SB, told me to stop using the Battery Tender Plus and to only use the HD trickle charger. And to plug it in after every ride, plus over the winter. But, I noticed the bike was having a harder time starting at the end of last year, which seems wrong since I put very few miles on it! And I'm not running a security system etc, so no real drain on it.
I did buy an Optimate 7 battery charger that does recondition a battery as well as being a trickle charger, etc.a few months ago. I haven't connected it up yet.
Anyone used this type of charger before?
I did buy an Optimate 7 battery charger that does recondition a battery as well as being a trickle charger, etc.a few months ago. I haven't connected it up yet.
Anyone used this type of charger before?
I even use it to charge up my trolling motor battery, takes a while but works well. I plug and unplug the tender from the bike as needed. Even though they say you can leave them plugged in, I don't and wouldn't. If the bike has sat for a week or so I'll plug it in, and then unplug the next time I pass by when the tender indicates 100% charged.