Battery replacement
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, TX
Battery replacement
My bike is coming up on 3 years old. I keep it on a battery tender when parked in the garage.
Would replacing the battery as a preventative measure be what is suggested?
It always starts just as it did when new.
Can using the battery tender give a false sense of the battery's health? What I mean is, will it seem as though the battery is strong when first unplugging the tender then when I ride off into the sunset, the battery quickly discharges because it had an internal short all along?
Thanks
Would replacing the battery as a preventative measure be what is suggested?
It always starts just as it did when new.
Can using the battery tender give a false sense of the battery's health? What I mean is, will it seem as though the battery is strong when first unplugging the tender then when I ride off into the sunset, the battery quickly discharges because it had an internal short all along?
Thanks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
Sounds like it's in good shape, why replace it. Mine is 4 years old and starts right up. I also keep it on a battery tender over the winter when I'm not riding it. If down the road it seems to be getting weak, test it and see if it's losing cranking power.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
You can have it tested. Batteries don't die suddenly, they deteriorate over time. Keeping it on a tender will likely extend the life of the battery. 4 years seems to be the average lifespan of most batteries. If you want the added security, there is no harm in replacing it before it goes to hell.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,886
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I've got one on my Valkyrie (which has 6 cyclinders and I suspect consumes a lot of battery power on a start-up) that's now almost 8 years old....keeping them on a battery tender, or frequent year-round riding (which is really the same thing) will keep a battery healthy for a very long time (especially the gel-acid variety). We have banks of batteries for emergency backup where I work, and lifespan is 15-20 years (of course they're not having the sh*t rattled out of them on a Harley, or baking on a 100 F day sitting next to a hot engine).
The Valkyrie has an alternator system, but I don't think that would make any difference. I've had other bikes that didn't get ridden much and weren't kept on a float charger, and had battery problems with 2 years. A frequently charged battery is a happy battery.
Another major consideration would be if you had a major trip planned....if I were heading out up the Alcan I'd definitely be replacing my Valk's ancient battery right now.
The Valkyrie has an alternator system, but I don't think that would make any difference. I've had other bikes that didn't get ridden much and weren't kept on a float charger, and had battery problems with 2 years. A frequently charged battery is a happy battery.
Another major consideration would be if you had a major trip planned....if I were heading out up the Alcan I'd definitely be replacing my Valk's ancient battery right now.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 11
From: TN
Have it checked for cranking amps. That is what starts your bike. If 3-4 years old and kept on a "tender", chances are it is in good shape. My battery is 4 1/2 years old, but the bike has never gone more than 7 days without being ridden and it spsins right off.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,404
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From: Haymarket, VA
You can have it tested. Batteries don't die suddenly, they deteriorate over time. Keeping it on a tender will likely extend the life of the battery. 4 years seems to be the average lifespan of most batteries. If you want the added security, there is no harm in replacing it before it goes to hell.