Great thread! And im glad the stealer for you squared away fairly quickly. That sounded like it could have been weeks worth of troubleshooting.

I'm wondering info should replace my battery. It's the original one that came with the bike in 2008. I always keep it on the battery tender over the winters, I think that's why it's still going strong.

How would I know if it's time for a new one? I'd like to find out without waiting for it to die on me or start giving me issues.
I'm guessing I can take it to the stealer and they'll test if for me?

 

You could take it the dealer and get them to load test it, or don't use your battery tender for a couple of weeks. If the battery still works for you you're probably still good. If it starts to drag when cranking its time to replace it. I've not heard of a battery lasting as long as yours. It's usually in the range of two years, there abouts.

And, yes, the reason I posted this thread was the bazaar symptoms. So, someone else may have a clue if they run into something similar. The quick dying battery and elevating rpm was a new one to me..

Also, the headlight flickering and going out. Turns out his headlight is led and if the voltage is low enough that will happen.

 

Thanks for the reply man. I'm pretty sure I didn't replace my battery since buying the bike. I have an awful memory though so I could be wrong.

I'm sure there is a manufacturing date on that battery somewhere. I'm gonna take a look and see how old it actually is.

Thanks again for the reply.