I've got a couple of buddys that have been getting about 3 years, give or take a few months, from their factory batteries. In both cases, the bike just died going down the road. One has a 05 RK w/27K miles and the other an 06 Softail w/21K miles. There were no electrical problems; shorted wires, etc. just a dead battery.
Has anyone else experienced this type of life cycle?

 

I have 3 years one month on mine and still going. Its kept on a tender when not in use. I hear that helps extend the life.

 

My battery has been in the bike since I bought it (used) and it's been 3.5 years. No problems at all.

 

My indy shop says 5 years is standard. Anything shorter and you are not using a tender or something is wrong.
I trust him too. I had a battery I thought was dead because I even had it on a tender and the bike did nothing. I went to him to get another from him. He tests my old one and it was just fine. My tender was the problem. Best indy shop ever because he could have had me spending money.
Honesty doesn't happen like that anymore

 

As long as you keep the battery tender on in storage, it lasts quite a bit, I have seen 5-6 years.

 

mines still good, new in 2005.

 

I just replaced a 4 year old Drag Specialties (wouldn't hold a charge) battery with a new HD on my '92.

 

My builder told me after 3 yrs. your playing RUSSIAN ROULETTE!!! It's your call, when they go they go. NO WARNING!

 

my 03 has it's original battery in it still

 

I may have been blessed by the battery gods! I bought a 1997 custom used in 2000 with a 1k on it. Though the previous owner paperwork doesn't show a new battery during his ownership. It still starts fine.

So it either 13 or 9 years old and I had a stator go out a few years back and had it stall on the road. Lucky a cager let me charge it up so I could make back home. So it's not been babied, and it sit around the oil tank so it gets mighty hot!! No battery tender either, only took it in winter to stay warm in the house.

Also had a AC/Delco original car battery last 10 years, that one shocked me! But poor luck with ATV, Deep Cycles and lawn tractors, so I don't have a midus touch.