How long should a battery last?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Should get 20 years, according to posts on here.
Me, 3 years is max, bike or car. In my case neither sit, but bike is on tender when I am not expecting to ride for months.
Truck/car no tender.
Me, 3 years is max, bike or car. In my case neither sit, but bike is on tender when I am not expecting to ride for months.
Truck/car no tender.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
Very little info to go on...What bike? What kind of battery did you replace it with? Do you keep it on a battery tender? Do you ride regularly or once a month to the dealership and back? Different batteries respond differently. Anything over 12 months is a gift IMHO 
Last edited by SirHarley; Aug 20, 2023 at 06:15 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 17
From: NJ
When I hear my starter not spinning over like it should, I start shopping. Like other had said, some last 1 year and some last 7. If rather replace on my terms, in my garage.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,666
Likes: 3,964
From: Near Yosemite
I'm sure I'd get more life out of mine if I'd remember to turn my ignition switch off EVERY TIME....... 
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
I bought my 08 in Aug of 07, changed the OE battery after 10 years in 2017 just because I didn’t want to get stranded. My 19 had a build date of 12/18 so this December the OE battery will be 5 yrs old and still going strong. Bike is always on tender when not being ridden.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,245
Likes: 3,679
From: backwoods
Other than lawn mowers which last 3 years or so, I get 7 years on everything. I had one touring battery only last 5, and I was surprised.
Hot climates are hard on batteries. I don't leave mine on tenders. Winter I will charge a few times a winter. I make sure and charge before I ride. I used to take mine out for winter, but don't any more. They are in insulated garage so rately get below freezing for to long. But my ATVs and sleds stay in barn.
I think batteries and charging systems have come a long way.
My harley batteries are harley batteries since I have such good luck. But everything else is fleet farm. But I read about some many people with goofy brands that die in 2-3 years, I don't buy them.