Battery Dependability
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Battery Dependability
Hopefully I dont get a hand slap for asking this in here my 09 Street Bob is obviously about 3 ˝ years old now sitting on 40k miles. I keep my battery on a tender generally. Especially during winter down time. It feels like it is still turning it over fairly well.
Im about to take off on a week and a half long trip to Colorado; tent camping along the way mostly. Putting me in some remote areas most likely. Im a little concerned about the battery more than anything. The bike seems to be in great condition otherwise.
I find at O'Reilly's that they can test the battery after a start and see if it degrades and that might be some clue to its capacity, but there is no really good way to know. I do have tow coverage on my insurance that I could maybe tap if in an emergency.
I wouldnt ask if money wasnt an object I would just replace it, but I hate to spend the money on something I might not even need when there are many other things that I do need. Is the peace of mind worth whatever the cost might be? Ive seen people talk about getting 10 years out of their battery. I dont know what to think.
Im about to take off on a week and a half long trip to Colorado; tent camping along the way mostly. Putting me in some remote areas most likely. Im a little concerned about the battery more than anything. The bike seems to be in great condition otherwise.
I find at O'Reilly's that they can test the battery after a start and see if it degrades and that might be some clue to its capacity, but there is no really good way to know. I do have tow coverage on my insurance that I could maybe tap if in an emergency.
I wouldnt ask if money wasnt an object I would just replace it, but I hate to spend the money on something I might not even need when there are many other things that I do need. Is the peace of mind worth whatever the cost might be? Ive seen people talk about getting 10 years out of their battery. I dont know what to think.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
Mines over 5 years old with 36,000 miles. It went dead late last year when I didn't ride it for about three months. Put a small charger on it and it's been fine since. If yours is still turning over well then I wouldn't worry about it. If it dies you're in Colorado and everything is downhill from there. Just bump start it in second or third gear.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Deep South Texas
I think the batteries are crap. I have an '09 with 60K miles and I just installed the third battery two weeks ago. Both of the previous batteries lasted 18-19 months. The bike is ridden daily and the second battery was put on a tender every night. Obviously the whole put it on a tender and it will last 5 years is not totally true.
Without being to critical, it could be the extreme heat from my environment that is killing the batteries (100+ everyday during the summer months). You will know if the battery is weak, the bike will have a hard time on the first revolution when you try to start it. If it spins over fine, I would use it until it acts up.
Without being to critical, it could be the extreme heat from my environment that is killing the batteries (100+ everyday during the summer months). You will know if the battery is weak, the bike will have a hard time on the first revolution when you try to start it. If it spins over fine, I would use it until it acts up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
This sounds like a question of odds, essentially the same as asking and answering the question: "What's insurance worth to ya on this?"
If it were me, the way I'd approach it is: Is the monetary cost of a new battery worth avoiding the 'cost' to you (monetary, and otherwise) if the battery fails in one of those remote spots?
From my perspective, too, a 3.5 year old battery is likely just as close if not closer to the end of its useful life as to the beginning.
As for batteries that go 6, 8, 10 years... They are the exception. For every one that goes that long, there's others that go only 3 years, 1 year, or only a few weeks...
Both ends of the spectrum have only a few instances. Most fall somewhere nearer the middle between...I don't know, in the middle between 1 week and 10 years...
Alan
If it were me, the way I'd approach it is: Is the monetary cost of a new battery worth avoiding the 'cost' to you (monetary, and otherwise) if the battery fails in one of those remote spots?
From my perspective, too, a 3.5 year old battery is likely just as close if not closer to the end of its useful life as to the beginning.
As for batteries that go 6, 8, 10 years... They are the exception. For every one that goes that long, there's others that go only 3 years, 1 year, or only a few weeks...
Both ends of the spectrum have only a few instances. Most fall somewhere nearer the middle between...I don't know, in the middle between 1 week and 10 years...
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Jun 25, 2012 at 10:02 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 274
From: Milton, Delaware
I think the batteries are crap. I have an '09 with 60K miles and I just installed the third battery two weeks ago. Both of the previous batteries lasted 18-19 months. The bike is ridden daily and the second battery was put on a tender every night. Obviously the whole put it on a tender and it will last 5 years is not totally true.
Without being to critical, it could be the extreme heat from my environment that is killing the batteries (100+ everyday during the summer months). You will know if the battery is weak, the bike will have a hard time on the first revolution when you try to start it. If it spins over fine, I would use it until it acts up.
Without being to critical, it could be the extreme heat from my environment that is killing the batteries (100+ everyday during the summer months). You will know if the battery is weak, the bike will have a hard time on the first revolution when you try to start it. If it spins over fine, I would use it until it acts up.
I bought my 06 Deuce in October 05. The battery was pretty much on a tender all the time. I just replaced it this spring, even though it was giving me no indication of impending trouble. I don't want to get stranded somewhere due to an dead battery. With an EFI bike and a dead battery, you'd push and bump till the cows came home and it wouldn't start. lol
My buddy had just that happen to his bike.
I'm firmly convinced that the fact that I kept it on a tender is what allowed me to get almost 7 years out of it. (BTW, the battery stayed in the bike all winter)
Extreme heat and cold does have a detrimental effect on batteries.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,115
Likes: 51,405
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Don't care what some may say 3 yrs is a good life span for a motorcycle battery , replace it . Why do you think most warranties on batteries is only 6 months to 1 yr for the $$$$ ones ? In the scheme of things your going to do it's cheap knowing it's one less possible problem and Murphy has a long record of hitting you with crap when you least need it , like out in the boonies somewhere .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jun 25, 2012 at 10:23 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
I have an '03 RK that still has the original battery and it starts fine but there's no way that I'd trust thay battery on a long trip.
The batteries in our "road bikes" are a little over two years old and I'm getting ready to replace both of them.
The batteries in our "road bikes" are a little over two years old and I'm getting ready to replace both of them.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 640
Likes: 44
From: Mancheser UK
I think its pretty hit and miss with HD batteries, some are good some bad, from reading the forum some have had a real bucket of sh%t with their batteries. Personally my batteries go straight on the tender. I picked up the Road King last week and on getting in I hooked it straight up. I was surprised that considering the bike was new and the dealer had preped the bike before collection, just how long it took to get a healthy green light on the tender. Now after a quick diagnostic the tender goes quickly to green no matter how short or long a ride. I followed this same principle with all my Harleys and with luck have never had any problems so far.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern, PA
I just completed a 1600 mile trip to Maine and back. On day 2 the battery failed in central Vermont. I was glad to have roadside assistance.
The battery was 6 years old (kept on a tender during the winter) and showed no signs of failing. The bike always started on the first attempt. When it went, it went quick and without warning.
The battery was 6 years old (kept on a tender during the winter) and showed no signs of failing. The bike always started on the first attempt. When it went, it went quick and without warning.