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So the other day I decided to take my super glide/c for a ride. (I didn't have it on the trickle charger at this time and hadn't rode it in more than a week.) It cranked, I let it run for about 10 minutes, turned it off. Waited 30 minutes and drove it to get gas. When I rode about a mile, got gas at 7-Eleven, it would not turn back over. I ended up with the 'clicking' letting me know I didn't have enough juice. It's not the first time I've had problems like this, but usually I'm at home.
I towed it home, stuck it on the trickle charger and it cranked fine the next day.
My question is, since the battery is probably 3 plus years old, is it possible to do a load test on the battery? What's the lifespan of bike batteries?
The last time I replaced the battery, it was pretty darn expensive from Harley.
I got 7 or more years out of my batteries. No trickle chargers.
Curious why did you let it run for 10 minutes? At idle you may not be charging battery, but draining it. A ride is what is best for that, getting RPMs up.
I think the bike isn't road enough. A 1 mile ride and 10 minute idle will not charge the battery.
Also check connections are tight on battery. Happens all the time.
I would charge it, go for a ride, 20 miles or so, and don't stop until you get back home.
You could have jump started it, rather then tow it.
I have a 2006 Fatboy that has 3800 miles on it, it sits for long periods of time. Its on its 3rd battery, have tried keeping it on a battery tender and off. Does not seem to make much difference here in AZ with the heat. Also these are odyssey batteries not stock HD batteries.
On the flip side my 2008 Road King is still going strong with the original HD battery, only difference is it gets ridden on a regular basis and the bike is based in Colorado where it is much cooler year round.
So I would say heat and not ridding are really hard on batteries.
I had the same thing happen last year with a two year old battery. When I got home I disconnected the battery cables and cleaned all connections thoroughly. I then retourqued them. I have been using a battery tender whenever the bike is parked in the garage. I didn't realize it before but Harley Davidson actually advises you to keep the battery plugged in whenever it is not in use.
I have used trickle chargers on my bikes since the mid 90's. Never had problems with batteries. A couple of weeks ago on my Ultra LTD I noticed a little red light flashing on my trickle charger cable. I connected a trickle charger and in a few hours the green light came on the charger. I'm thinking that the security system and the alarm are taking a little drain of the battery when the bike is idle.
You could have jump started it, rather then tow it.
Depending on the year that may not be true. A modern FI bike won't stay running most of the time with a battery too low to start it even if you bump start it or jump it.
My 2002 Super Glide will run with a battery that's too weak to start it but in the end riding a motorcycle to "charge up" a weak battery will likely burn up a stator. A volt meter and the appropriate tests will tell the tale on battery performance/load performance and stator performance. Zerk didn't you say in another thread that you make your living doing electrical work? Are they hiring?
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Jul 29, 2016 at 06:35 PM.
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Battery issues
