Battery Life
Banned
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 325
From: Virginia
They seem to get weak after two years and keep getting worse. I usually replace by the third year. Maybe its the combination of the vibration and heavy load when cranking, but I get about half the longevity compared to batteries in my inline four bikes.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,829
Likes: 8,735
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Trying to predict battery life is like trying to predict tire life - almost impossible due to variations in operating conditions and user care.
I tend to get 4-5 years out of mine but they don't see big heat like some here do.
I tend to get 4-5 years out of mine but they don't see big heat like some here do.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,432
Likes: 3,713
From: backwoods
You need to ride more.
Unless you live in hot climate that wrecks batteries, 2 seems crazy to me. Midwest 7 years, no tender. Newer bikes might have parasite loads. But my bikes, sleds, ATV, sxs, trucks go for years. Got 300k on truck battery. 7 years small stuff 9 trucks.
Unless you live in hot climate that wrecks batteries, 2 seems crazy to me. Midwest 7 years, no tender. Newer bikes might have parasite loads. But my bikes, sleds, ATV, sxs, trucks go for years. Got 300k on truck battery. 7 years small stuff 9 trucks.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 61
From: Castle Rock, CO
I just replaced my original battery in my 2014 street glide special last year so I got 7 years out of it. I probably should have replaced it in 2020 but had difficulty finding a dealer that was consistently open during Covid. I keep it on a tender when not riding because sometimes life interferes and it may be a few weeks between rides.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,121
Likes: 300
From: New Mexico-No, you don't need a passport.
95 FLHT.
I got 7 years on my last one.
The current one is at about 4 1/2 years.
I do use a tender on it.
Both were Deka.
I used to have a 1970 Ducati 450 Desmo. It was a one lunger and it would shake so bad it would float the plates in the battery. They would only last 6 to 8 months.
I got 7 years on my last one.
The current one is at about 4 1/2 years.
I do use a tender on it.
Both were Deka.
I used to have a 1970 Ducati 450 Desmo. It was a one lunger and it would shake so bad it would float the plates in the battery. They would only last 6 to 8 months.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Looking to see how many years you guys are getting out of a battery. My bike is two years and two months old and the battery went bad. Of course two months out of warranty. I replaced the battery with a Shocker AGM, I hope it last longer than 2 years.
I was checking the warranties on bike batteries and the norm seems to be 2 years..... seems short. On my prior bikes a typically bought them used so I wasn't sure how old the battery was and then sold them within 2 years of ever buying a new battery.
Just curious,
Steve
I was checking the warranties on bike batteries and the norm seems to be 2 years..... seems short. On my prior bikes a typically bought them used so I wasn't sure how old the battery was and then sold them within 2 years of ever buying a new battery.
Just curious,
Steve
You got unlucky. Don't keep the maintenance charger on it all the time. If you do, there is a good chance when you get the last start out of it, it will be at home. These bikes are a bitch to push.
Do not jump start a dead battery in a Harley unless it's a real emergency. Charge it with a slow low amperage maintenance charger only and check amperage only by noting voltage doesn't drop below 9.7 DC when cranking.
It's possible that if it's too low that you will need to hit it with a regular charger a few minutes to get maintenance charger to see over 5 volts and work. Good chance then it's junk anyway unless it not very old and you just accidentally left lights on.
If you have it load tested by a load tester, be sure battery is out of the bike.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 25, 2022 at 05:04 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
We just got back from a 3700+ mile trip and the bike has just shy of 19,000 miles,original battery still strong.