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Just because it read 12.5 volts doesn't mean it had a good charge. A battery can have a dead cell and still read 12.5 volts. If you trust that your shop did in fact fully charge it, great. I wouldn't. A brand new, fully charged battery, at rest, should be at nearly 13 volts. Good luck.
the shop is reputable and has harley techs, but wouldn't the bikes charging system top it off with a good ride in the event shop didn't charge it?
I end up replacing the battery every winter in mine. I've tried replacing the starter thinking the stock one had high resistance, but the battery fixes it every time.
My bike is my daily driver and I think the summer heat kills them. I've done wires, grounds, you name it...
When it cools off the same thing every year, turns over once, pauses, kicks over again and starts. Put a new battery in and whamo - fires right off. and it's good for a year.
Don't go Lithium if you ride in cold weather, they aren't cold friendly. Even the warning on the box says it's dangerous to charge them below freezing, bikes start charging as soon as the engine starts so I guess we have to wait until Spring.
the shop is reputable and has harley techs, but wouldn't the bikes charging system top it off with a good ride in the event shop didn't charge it?
If you ride enough, the battery should maintain a charge, but it will not be a full charge and will start slow as you describe. These newer bikes have parasitic draw while parked, no way around it. That's why most of us keep them on a tender.
ETA - I put a lithium in my Heritage, and it **** the bed within a month. Had to have it towed home. I wouldn't run a lithium in a touring bike if you gave me one.
No, it's still going to run down your battery at the same rate. CCA only equals cranking power, no amp hours. How about a solar charger on roof of the carport? Only other option is to pull the side cover and remove the main fuse when parked for more than a few days.
I have this one on the roof of my trailer, sure comes in handy!
I end up replacing the battery every winter in mine. I've tried replacing the starter thinking the stock one had high resistance, but the battery fixes it every time.
My bike is my daily driver and I think the summer heat kills them. I've done wires, grounds, you name it...
When it cools off the same thing every year, turns over once, pauses, kicks over again and starts. Put a new battery in and whamo - fires right off. and it's good for a year.
Don't go Lithium if you ride in cold weather, they aren't cold friendly. Even the warning on the box says it's dangerous to charge them below freezing, bikes start charging as soon as the engine starts so I guess we have to wait until Spring.
sounds like my situation exactly. 1 year. Then cool weather and struggle.
In AZ freezing weather not happening. I only ride in 50's. I might try one. Might beat 1 year. Seems ridiculous though.
sounds like my situation exactly. 1 year. Then cool weather and struggle.
In AZ freezing weather not happening. I only ride in 50's. I might try one. Might beat 1 year. Seems ridiculous though.
It does seem crazy but with the heat you have down there, not overly surprising. It only gets to around 110° here but that's enough along with the high engine temps sitting in traffic. Since the LiFePO's aren't supposed to go over 80°, I can't imagine them faring any better.
Thanks guys for the responses. Yes the heat can be tough here but battery is 1 month old! Not enough time for heat to get it. And the other batteries that last 1 year, this still seems strange.
Since im not sure i dont have a faulty starter, i will call dealer Tuesday and talk to service about the situation and see if they can check it without too much labor time. I have extended warranty so if needed can use it.
thanks again !
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