Okay, if you look throughout the HD Forums, there are an inordinate number of posts regarding dead batteries, battery warning lights, "my bike just died" etc.

The HD batteries, which most of us have because we get 'em with the bikes when we buy 'em....suck in terms of longevity if NOT properly maintained.

It's not a battery you can simply leave alone and not think about for long periods like the one in your 4-wheeled vehicles.

If you don't ride your scoot for even periods as short as a month, you should put your battery on a trickle/smart charger.

Everyone from Bikers Choice to HD to Drag Specialties makes one. They are cheap - especially when compared to the price of a new battery and the event of either being stuck somewhere, or not being able to go for a ride on a nice day because she won't turn over.

If you have a battery warning light, your battery is likely low on charge, and/or won't hold one. Yes, secondary possibilities are other parts of the charging system, but not likely, especially on newer bikes which a lot of us have.

In short, take care of your battery and it will last a long time and take care of you.

Oh yeah, one more thing:
NEVER, EVER TRY TO JUMP YOUR BIKE OFF A CAR BATTERY

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Thanks for the heads up.

 

Uh, mine lasted 17 miles...and it didn't sit in my garage for months, only 3 days. So I believe this is at least one step beyond suck.


Dean

 

Yup, if there's one thing the MoCo puts a lot of $$ into, it's their premium batteries!!

If they don't make one already, bet they start selling a SE Premium Platinum battery that costs 5 dollars more to manufacture than the stock.

 

Somehow, the way I'm finding my dealer works, he's still try to pin this one on me and try to charge me...

 

nothing new been that way for quite a while now.

 

Agree 100% with that.

Bike's only a year old and I'm on my 2nd batt.

 

You can do it just fine - just don't start the car.
+1 for battery tender

 

got no issues withthe new AGM style harley batteries. Now what will kill a batteyr is leaving it sat withthe alarm on and only going out for short rides. If that how you use yor bike stick it on a battery tender asthe battery is never getting a full charge and you slowly gridning the battery down till it dies. ALso make sure you have a proper tender. Car ones have to high an output and will kill yourbattery as well.

 

Guess I'm one of the lucky few, have a 2001 Wide Glide, 60+K miles on it, and still running the original battery. Over the winter I do keep the scoot in an unheated garage, never pull the battery, and in spring, it just fires right up. I will admit though, a short ride for me is always 100+ miles.

Respects,
Ed