Battery replacement...when???
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 1
From: British Columbia
I have an 03 softail and had to replace the original battery a month and a half ago......you have some good years out of yours...batteries and not that expensive...just change it and be done with it....no fuss, no worries
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 4
From: First State
I had 3 years on my original battery, but changed it out this weekend since Im going to Sturgis this year and dont even want to think about starting issues. But last week I was dragging my feet thinking, heck everybody is getting 5 or more years out of a battery why shouldnt I, my battery has never been fully discharged, has always been strong to start the bike, the lights hardly dim when I shut the bike off etc., etc., etc. But it rained on Sunday, so figured I had no excuse not to change the battery.
Well today Im hella glad I did. One less thing to worry about. A benefit for me was that I cleaned all the connectors real good and tighten everything down. Now even though my 3 year old battery was in good condition, I can tell a difference in the speed which the bike now starts and the brightness of the head light with the motor off. For me, changing the battery was cheap peace of mind.
Well today Im hella glad I did. One less thing to worry about. A benefit for me was that I cleaned all the connectors real good and tighten everything down. Now even though my 3 year old battery was in good condition, I can tell a difference in the speed which the bike now starts and the brightness of the head light with the motor off. For me, changing the battery was cheap peace of mind.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Your call and what makes you feel good. Buddy of mine swapped his out to go on a trip with a new one last year. He got about 100 miles out of town, called and asked me if I would run to his house and get his old battery, he had stopped for something to drink and the battery was dead when he went to start up. Swapped the old one back in and he's still running that one today and has his now new "replaced under warranty" spare in the garage. Me, I run 'em till they die, then find a new one. If I'm on the road I just chalk it up to a little more adventure on the journey.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
+1 on the Load tester, initial CCA's arent always a good test on a battery, those things pull power for a few seconds and deterrtmines the actual battery strength of the Unit.
Try that, and if your actually concerned and worried, pack your tender with you, or buy those small portable battery booster units that charge your battery in case you go Dead.
Ive seen them for like $30 dollars and fit snugly within the saddle bags
Try that, and if your actually concerned and worried, pack your tender with you, or buy those small portable battery booster units that charge your battery in case you go Dead.
Ive seen them for like $30 dollars and fit snugly within the saddle bags
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 4
From: First State
May be it just me. People here make such a big deal for a few thousands mile trip within the U.S. If you worry, just carry a cell phone or sat. phone and AAA membership card and American Express. We are NOT in middle of the Amazon jungle for God's sake.
Just get plenty of sleep and have fun. Deal with it as it comes.
Just get plenty of sleep and have fun. Deal with it as it comes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
FUNNY ****! Posted to this thread yesterday. Left work last night, the battery in the car was deader than hell. Started fine in the morning, 8 hours later DEAD, wouldn't even crank. Do what you will, but I rode 50 miles each way to get a battery for a buddy a few years back. It does put a downer on the trip. You get out West and you'll be riding farther than 50 miles to find one.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
+1. No sense throwing out a good battery if it's still running strong.
Put it on a load tester and that will tell you if it's going bad. I just replaced my battery on my FXST that was eight years old. It was always on a battery tender when parked and I made sure the terminals were clean. When I put it on a load tester is showed it was time to replace it. Don't take a chance on having it go out on your trip.
