Purchase a new battery every year?
#41
10-31-2010, 05:13 PM
Road Captain
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Huntington Beach
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was a plant engineer for a gel lead acid battery manufacturer in So Cal for eleven years. We used to joke about the battery myths, there are so many of them.
That was back in the 80's and 90's. The battery plant, like so many others, got dismantled and reassembled in Mexico. Not many batteries made here in the US anymore. Batteries can vary in life, and depending on the factory, they can vary substantially. One can last a year while another from the same plant might have 5 times that life in the same application. Finding a good quality manufacturer betters your chances of getting a more consistent product.
Here is a link that has some good useful info on batteries, the different kinds, what shorten/lengthens their life, etc...
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
That was back in the 80's and 90's. The battery plant, like so many others, got dismantled and reassembled in Mexico. Not many batteries made here in the US anymore. Batteries can vary in life, and depending on the factory, they can vary substantially. One can last a year while another from the same plant might have 5 times that life in the same application. Finding a good quality manufacturer betters your chances of getting a more consistent product.
Here is a link that has some good useful info on batteries, the different kinds, what shorten/lengthens their life, etc...
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
#43
10-31-2010, 06:02 PM
Road Warrior
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You should get at least 3 years out of battery with "normal" service. If you faithfully use a battery tender you should get around 5. It's a waste to buy a new one annually.
#44
10-31-2010, 09:05 PM
Road Master
The Yamaha FZ1 I traded in to get my Road King had the original 5 year old battery. There was nothing wrong with the battery in the Yamaha. On average, my motorcycle batteries have lasted about 7 years. I hope my Harley battery last at least 5 years.
#45
10-31-2010, 11:27 PM
Extreme HDF Member
I put tenders on mine 24/7 like the instruction say. Last year I sold a 2002 bike with an 01 build and it still had the original battery. My next oldest is my 07 softail with a June 06 build and it is going strong.
The same with my five collector cars which some sit up to 9 months. All are in top shape. I simply do not have battery trouble with the 15 batteries that I maintain.
The $20 tenders are much cheaper than buying batteries all the time or being stranded because of a bad battery.
The same with my five collector cars which some sit up to 9 months. All are in top shape. I simply do not have battery trouble with the 15 batteries that I maintain.
The $20 tenders are much cheaper than buying batteries all the time or being stranded because of a bad battery.
#47
10-31-2010, 11:42 PM
Over many many years mine have seemed to average about 3 years before they die. So, at 3 years, I yank em out and put in a new one. That way, no worries.
#48
11-01-2010, 08:41 AM
What a load of crap LOL! My XL50 is a 2007 with over 17k on it and still has the OEM battery, In fact both bikes do. I have never had to buy a bike battery and only have bought 2 car batteries in my life and that's becasue the one car did not have one when I got it. I am almost 33 and have had cars since I was 16 and have had many cars and bikes.
#49
11-01-2010, 11:12 AM
Intermediate
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Canal fulton, Ohio
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#50
11-01-2010, 11:23 AM
I was a plant engineer for a gel lead acid battery manufacturer in So Cal for eleven years. We used to joke about the battery myths, there are so many of them.
That was back in the 80's and 90's. The battery plant, like so many others, got dismantled and reassembled in Mexico. Not many batteries made here in the US anymore. Batteries can vary in life, and depending on the factory, they can vary substantially. One can last a year while another from the same plant might have 5 times that life in the same application. Finding a good quality manufacturer betters your chances of getting a more consistent product.
Here is a link that has some good useful info on batteries, the different kinds, what shorten/lengthens their life, etc...
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
That was back in the 80's and 90's. The battery plant, like so many others, got dismantled and reassembled in Mexico. Not many batteries made here in the US anymore. Batteries can vary in life, and depending on the factory, they can vary substantially. One can last a year while another from the same plant might have 5 times that life in the same application. Finding a good quality manufacturer betters your chances of getting a more consistent product.
Here is a link that has some good useful info on batteries, the different kinds, what shorten/lengthens their life, etc...
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html
These guys make the HD batteries and you can buy from a local distributor about $30-40 than a dealer.
http://www.dekabatteries.com/