battery
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 312
Likes: 23
From: wis.
battery
I own 2017 Harley street glide. I know the battery is getting up there but how long do people go before replacing them ? Also i am not sure if they have them in stock. Do most replace with original from Harley or after market?
Anything after 5 years on an automotive battery I consider running on borrowed time.
I got 6 years of solid service out of my OEM Harley battery with regular riding, and ran it another year with weak starting and had to plug it in to the tender to be able to start it, if it sat for more than a few days. In my truck, again I owned it for 4 years and 2 months before I had to replace the battery in it, but I have no clue how long it had been in there since I bought the truck used.
Keep searching around and youll find a laundry list of answers as to what and when people replace the batteries in their bikes. Many stick with OEM, many go aftermarket. Lots of good options on the market. Dont have to go expensive, but dont buy the cheapest, I always go for the middle of the road priced batteries.
I got 6 years of solid service out of my OEM Harley battery with regular riding, and ran it another year with weak starting and had to plug it in to the tender to be able to start it, if it sat for more than a few days. In my truck, again I owned it for 4 years and 2 months before I had to replace the battery in it, but I have no clue how long it had been in there since I bought the truck used.
Keep searching around and youll find a laundry list of answers as to what and when people replace the batteries in their bikes. Many stick with OEM, many go aftermarket. Lots of good options on the market. Dont have to go expensive, but dont buy the cheapest, I always go for the middle of the road priced batteries.
I also have a 17 SGS and I changed mine last April just to stay ahead of the game and I went with Batteries +Bulbs. No complaints plus 2 year warranty and if there is an issue I take it to any of their stores directly
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,163
Likes: 1,906
From: Doghouse... mostly
My experience has been that good name brand batteries will last anywhere from 5 to 7 years so I'd suggest you replace yours fairly soon as when they decide to finally give up, they do so in a hurry without giving much of a warning. If you experience a hard start or two when you normally wouldn't get one, better beat feet to the battery shop!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
When you do replace the battery, use di-electric grease on the terminals and get a small star washer to place under the bolt. Those bolts do tend to loosen with time and vibrations. The star washer will help keep things tight.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 415
Likes: 400
From: Central Arkansas
I've made it a habit to change outauto, bike, and the starting batteries on my boat at the four year mark. It may be premature but I hate the idea of being stuck in BFE with a battery that lets me down. So far its worked.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4,912
Likes: 8,987
From: SoCal
I replaced my 2014 FLSTC battery a few years ago with an HD battery, mainly because I wanted it fast and HD dealer is a couple miles away. For my cages, I have used Autozone batteries as they are real good about swapping a new battery while under warranty. Next battery for the Harley I will probably try O'Reilly per post above and for the same reason as my cages.
If I sense a battery is getting weak, I consider it time to replace, as it usually won't be long until "weak" suddenly goes to "dead".
If I sense a battery is getting weak, I consider it time to replace, as it usually won't be long until "weak" suddenly goes to "dead".