Battery Question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Good call...I would've done the same (replace). No need to get stranded, while finishing your riding season & you're ready for winter/next season. Also, getting now vs. Spring avoids order delays b/c it's usually when masses who didn't maintain battery realize theirs is shot (after long winter hiatus).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,966
From: Great State of Canada
Terminal connections can and do work lose and it doesn't take much to make it look like a bad battery. Give the leads a good tug near the lugs. If you can move em at all, thats probably the problem.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I'm surprised no one has suggested taking it out and having it load tested. Take it out and take it to a Batteries plus bulbs. They will load test for free. If it doesn't pass, they can sell you a Duracell with a two year warranty. No question about your old battery and if it is bad, you get a new one right away and they'll dispose of your old battery.
Your battery probably survived but having it load tested will give you peace of mind either way.
Something to be more nervous about is your charging system. They don't like being jumped but I think your battery had enough juice in it to be ok. I had no choice to jump a dead bike and the battery survived no problem. The voltage regulator and stator failed on me two days later.
Your battery probably survived but having it load tested will give you peace of mind either way.
Something to be more nervous about is your charging system. They don't like being jumped but I think your battery had enough juice in it to be ok. I had no choice to jump a dead bike and the battery survived no problem. The voltage regulator and stator failed on me two days later.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 303
From: N. Tx.
I wouldn't hesitate to replace it. 3.5 yrs from a battery is about all you can realistically expect. And the drainage from running the radio is an indication that the cells are wearing down. IMHO it's better to spend the money on a fresh one than be stuck somewhere without a possible jump start and have to go thru the expense and hassle of towing.
YMMV
YMMV
Last edited by duoglider; Sep 30, 2018 at 09:36 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
Yesterday we were out all day and stopped at a place out in the country and i let the radio play for an hour. When i went to leave the battery was drained, not dead by not enough to crank it over. Gal came along in a jeep and i jumped it off a non-running jeep. Rode it home about 40 miles and it was fine. Put it on the tender all night and fires right up today. Battery is 31/2 years old.
I put my multimeter on it and when cranking it never went below 10.7 volts and is showing 12.7 when off and bike is charging fine. What is your opinion ? Good , bad, stay home ? and i know i will be replacing shortly but i'm going on a pretty long ride tomorrow and don't want to stay home.
I put my multimeter on it and when cranking it never went below 10.7 volts and is showing 12.7 when off and bike is charging fine. What is your opinion ? Good , bad, stay home ? and i know i will be replacing shortly but i'm going on a pretty long ride tomorrow and don't want to stay home.
Do NOT confuse "CCA" (cold cranking amps) with the MISLEADING words "CA" (cranking amps) done by shady battery sellers and companies when buying a battery.
Brands Yuasa and Big Crank as well as others
Last edited by alarmdoug; Sep 30, 2018 at 09:54 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 466
Likes: 206
From: Long Island,NY
If listening to the radio for an hour killed your battery it's time to replace it. There should have been more than enough reserve capacity for that small of a load. Next time it dies you may not be lucky enough to have someone to jump start your bike.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
New battery on the way. I don't think you will hurt the bikes jump starting it as long as the donor car or truck is not running. Seen it done many times over the years. Now i watched a guy jump his bike from a running car once and it took out the charging system on his bike. I've seen other do the same thing with no problems. But i wouldn't chance it.
