How long should a battery last?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 390
From: NJ
So 2016 road glide bought as leftover in 2017. 15k miles. Battery tender over winter but gets about 2.5k miles per season ridden about once a week for good rides not just to the store. factory bat replaced early spring 2020 with a yuasa gyz32. This season started getting some slower cranks. I will most likely just replace next spring. For now i have a jump pack in the saddlebag. Havent needed to use it yet.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,394
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I swapped the RK at 4 yrs, was still doing fine but figure it as regular maintenance thing. Have no problem the factory battery. I hear people say 5 to 7 years but with a button only start, why push it.
My shovel is another matter 2 years for an AGM, AntiGravity 600CCA lithium went at 3 yrs.
My shovel is another matter 2 years for an AGM, AntiGravity 600CCA lithium went at 3 yrs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,245
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
I put them in my lawn tractor after I pull them out of harley for a few more years.
I got 13 batteries in my life to deal with. So I don't throw good batteries away. Maybe if I have bad luck one time, I will start doing it.
Maybe a lawn mower has only lasted 4 years I don't document them. Those to last so long I forget.
Also I am in midwest with cool temps. If I lived in a hot climate I probably would not get as long of life. You need to differentiate this to people
Last edited by Rounders; Aug 20, 2023 at 07:36 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,141
Likes: 11,210
From: San Diego, CA
It would be impossible to say for sure. There are too many variables that contribute to battery life (or death):
Type of battery
Quality of battery
How it used
How it is stored
The climate where it is used (heat seriously shortens battery life, just ask anyone who lives in Phoenix,AZ)
There are ways to maximize battery life. Do a search on here and you will get many opinions and suggestions.
Good luck with your new battery..
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Keeping it on a tender when not riding regularly can really extend the life of a battery.
My 2019 Electra turns 4 years old in a couple of weeks and the original battery is still going strong.
I live in a Northern state in the mountains so it's a long off season with rain ice and snow for months,bike is garaged and on a Battery Tender Jr. in the winter.
My 2019 Electra turns 4 years old in a couple of weeks and the original battery is still going strong.
I live in a Northern state in the mountains so it's a long off season with rain ice and snow for months,bike is garaged and on a Battery Tender Jr. in the winter.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,245
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
I don't leave mine on a tender. I don't think it is needed, as long as you don't go to long. I used to do 2-3 for an off season, now once a month. I have not had a fob long enough to say if newer bikes need more.
My preference is it is best to charge before use, to not stress the battery.
My preference is it is best to charge before use, to not stress the battery.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,205
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
i'm lucky if i get 3 full years out of a battery. anything after 2 years i consider gravy. last night, when i got home from work at 7pm, my front porch thermometer was reading 109*.
