Battery Tender
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 911
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From: KY
Battery Tender
I just replaced my battery today in my Ultra. I got 7 years out of it. I use a battery tender all the time it is parked in my garage, year round. It really would have lasted a little longer, but I noticed it started dragging a little after I put the big bore kit in my bike. What is the average battery life, without a tender, just for comparison purposes?
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,192
Likes: 990
From: Hastings MN
I just replaced my battery today in my Ultra. I got 7 years out of it. I use a battery tender all the time it is parked in my garage, year round. It really would have lasted a little longer, but I noticed it started dragging a little after I put the big bore kit in my bike. What is the average battery life, without a tender, just for comparison purposes?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
8 years LOL
I usually got 2-3 years out batteries when I just parked the bike over winter and 4 or 5 years when I pulled the battery and stuck it in a warm place over winter (no charging). Then I started bring batteries inside and charging them for about a hour every month, now I use battery tenders over winter. Problem is I never remember when I replaced a battery, but it has been several years since I bought one.
I usually got 2-3 years out batteries when I just parked the bike over winter and 4 or 5 years when I pulled the battery and stuck it in a warm place over winter (no charging). Then I started bring batteries inside and charging them for about a hour every month, now I use battery tenders over winter. Problem is I never remember when I replaced a battery, but it has been several years since I bought one.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 932
Likes: 3
From: Tuscaloosa Alabama
no battery tender and i got 3 years out of OE battery,replaced it with a new HD battery and at the same time bought a battery tender plus and use it all through the year two or three times a week over night and this battery so far is as strong as day one unlike the first battery that always acted weak so I expect to get way more than three years out of this second battery.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 108
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From: NJ
My factory battery only lasted 19 months WITH a tender. Replaced under warranty, in my driveway, by dealer. My mechanic told me he'd seen a higher than normal rate of battery failure on bikes built around same time frame as mine.
Replacement is about 22 months old now.
Replacement is about 22 months old now.
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Do you put the bike on the battery tender year round or only when its not going to be ridden for an extended period?
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 911
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From: KY
Mine stays on year round, when I'm not on it riding. As soon as I pull the bikes in the motorcycle garage after riding, I plug them up, after the pipes cool down.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
I ride almost every weekend but the first thing I do when I get home after a ride is plug in the pigtail to the tender. It takes 10 seconds and I am confident every time I go to start her she will fire right up.