I have a 2016 RGU with 40k miles and when Im not riding its hooked up to a battery tender. This weekend the bike started up just fine, rode for a while stopped for lunch and then the bike would not start, dead battery, got a jump and then a new battery and was told the factory battery should have lasted longer. Im sure there is no magic number of how long a battery should last but three years seems a little short ? The shop that changed the battery said I shouldn't have it hooked up to a battery tender all the time ? any thoughts?

 

I always keep my battery on a charger/maintainer and have found this video helpful for deciding how to best maintain your battery.

 

I got 5 1/2 years out of the original and 5 out of the 2nd. Both HD batteries Just put my 3rd in.

 

+1

 

The shop is fulla crappadoola. True, shoulda lasted a little longer, but 3 years ain't too bad. Specially when you consider the Florida sun; I live about an hour from you & I know how hot it gets most of the year here.

 

I get 3 yrs per battery. Yes, they should last longer, but for me they don't.

 

I used to sell batteries and we always told our customers... expect a year, plan for two anything after that is a bonus. Now, this was when sealed batteries were still fairly new to the scene and not available for all the models of motorcycles and battery tenders were not widely known yet either.

It's better now than it's ever been. The battery in my other bike is going on at least 6 years. But I have friends who can't get more than 2.

 

I have yet to change out the battery in my 2010 Street Glide which I purchased new in late 2010. I didn't start putting the battery on any kind of tender until a few years back when the battery seemed to be getting weak and still don't do it regularly. So far its as good as it ever was and starts my bike at least as low as 12F degrees.

I would imagine the type/brand of tender could have an affect on the longevity of the battery. The same for the area of the country y'all live in.

 

If you keep it on the maintenance charger all the time, that is probably what will happen. You only need it if you do not drive say once ever few weeks. Doubt a good maintenance charger hurt it. It's just did not let you see the dieing coming. Usually, you start hearing slow first turn or starter bangs. It's quite often loose connections or a failing battery.
Good batteries hold their charge a few weeks.
Late model Harley's draw little more then a watch when off. (1/2 what they did 15 years ago)

 

Anything after 3 three years is a bonus be happy you got that much time out of your battery. We tend to burn threw them down here in Florida