Battery Keeps Dying
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 345
Likes: 15
From: NY
Battery Keeps Dying
So I've been keeping my bike outside and covered during summer. Getting cold here in NY so I will be bringing it inside next week. When I don't start my bike for 2-3 weeks the battery dies. I've got the battery load tested and it's good. If I jump the battery the bike starts right up. Any reason why it dies like this and should it be dying when not started for a few weeks? It's a 2017 with about 1200 miles. Thank you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
If your bike has a security system or something that would be drawing power from the battery , that would be enough time for it to drain it to the point where your starter becomes fussy . I suggest hooking up a battery tender if you plan on leaving the bike sit for more than a week .
Last edited by MyFavRk; Nov 16, 2019 at 05:24 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,309
Likes: 6,328
From: Honah Lee
Put a DC volt/ohm/amp set to amps between one leg of the battery cable. Should me less then 150 mil/amps that alarm, speedometer, ECM and that other brain that does wireless stuff. When first connected, it will spike a little but then trim down .
These small batteries are hard to test without sensetive equipment. I bet it is battery. Year ago when my 3rd one was going, I nursed it along having it checked twice and both time said it was OK. A new one fixed my problem. Now when I get a few kickbacks or grunts, I just get a new battery.
These small batteries are hard to test without sensetive equipment. I bet it is battery. Year ago when my 3rd one was going, I nursed it along having it checked twice and both time said it was OK. A new one fixed my problem. Now when I get a few kickbacks or grunts, I just get a new battery.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 345
Likes: 15
From: NY
No. But I did put new ape handle bars and put extension wiring kit on. Everything seems fine.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 345
Likes: 15
From: NY
Put a DC volt/ohm/amp set to amps between one leg of the battery cable. Should me less then 150 mil/amps that alarm, speedometer, ECM and that other brain that does wireless stuff. When first connected, it will spike a little but then trim down .
These small batteries are hard to test without sensetive equipment. I bet it is battery. Year ago when my 3rd one was going, I nursed it along having it checked twice and both time said it was OK. A new one fixed my problem. Now when I get a few kickbacks or grunts, I just get a new battery.
These small batteries are hard to test without sensetive equipment. I bet it is battery. Year ago when my 3rd one was going, I nursed it along having it checked twice and both time said it was OK. A new one fixed my problem. Now when I get a few kickbacks or grunts, I just get a new battery.
Thank you.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 345
Likes: 15
From: NY
battery battery was load tested and it's okay
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
Batteries develop internal leakage that will kill the battery over time. You need to pull the battery, charge it, measure voltage then let it sit for a couple days and measure the voltage again. If it's dropped more than a couple tenths, it's shot.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,027
From: Carlsbad, CA
3 weeks is too long for the bike to s8tvwhout running, or being out on a battery tender. Bike batteries have much lower capacity that car batteries, yet have similar background drain.