General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Battery Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 01:54 PM
  #1  
GoNoles82's Avatar
GoNoles82
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Florida
Default Battery Problems

Does anyone else have problems with your original stock battery on your bikes? Mine discharged once, and now it's not holding a charge for more than 1 or 2 days or so. The dealer says it's fine, but it definitely has to be recharged constantly. I'm thinking it needs a new battery, but it's only an '06.
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 02:04 PM
  #2  
Amodump001's Avatar
Amodump001
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Default RE: Battery Problems

did you check your charging voltage? should last longer than two years but then again??
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 02:09 PM
  #3  
oldgeezer's Avatar
oldgeezer
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
Default RE: Battery Problems

Are you just riding it to charge it or are you putting it on a tender? I would try putting it on a tender when you aren't riding it. Do that for a couple of weeks then leave it off and see if that helps.
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 02:21 PM
  #4  
Shaw_2112's Avatar
Shaw_2112
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Battery Problems

I had a similar problem. Left the lights on by mistake once and the batt wouldn't hold a charge after that. Chuck it and get a new one...
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 02:38 PM
  #5  
redscout's Avatar
redscout
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Battery Problems

I know I'm just asking to get stranded.... but mine has the stock battery still in it from when I bought it new. In October of '02...

Never had a bike battery last that long.
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 03:05 PM
  #6  
Dorkman's Avatar
Dorkman
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 4
From: Northern California
Default RE: Battery Problems

If its not holding a charge you are on borrowed time. Battery tenders are great, and recommended, but won't save a battery that will not hold a charge.

Did the dealer test the battery and the charging system to arrive at his "fine" determination? The other possibility is thata short is drawing down the battery. They should also be able to determine if current flows with the key off. The battery should last longer, but failures are not unheard of. Its a likely suspect.
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 03:31 PM
  #7  
ChromeJunkie's Avatar
ChromeJunkie
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,918
Likes: 4,694
From: West Texas Sandhills
Default RE: Battery Problems

I had to replacethe battery on my 06when the stator went out at 20,000. As mentioned above, havethe dealercheck out your charging system.
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 03:35 PM
  #8  
pip369's Avatar
pip369
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Default RE: Battery Problems

I had a stock battery go out after about 2 years. I replaced it with another HD battery and also started using a battery tender. Since then have not had any battery problems. I use a battery tender on all my bikes as well as the lawn mower. Tried it on the Tahoe but didn't work very well...I ended up replacing that battery.
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 04:08 PM
  #9  
dog155's Avatar
dog155
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Default RE: Battery Problems

No battery problems since started using Battery Tenders.
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 07:52 PM
  #10  
pepesworld's Avatar
pepesworld
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Battery Problems

I am on my third battery!....the first two only lasted about five years each. Never put them on a tender though. It was getting where the bike would take a while to start after sitting for a few months over winter. I put in fresh plugs this year....starts just like new again.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Farmboy135
Sportster Models
6
Jul 25, 2025 06:20 AM
fRESH88
Softail Models
11
Oct 23, 2019 03:51 PM
pd76
EVO
13
Feb 14, 2009 10:30 PM
caorig
Touring Models
7
Apr 27, 2008 07:29 PM
fxdbi4me
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
3
Jan 15, 2008 04:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:36 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE