Battery Time ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 180
From: N.E. OHIO
6 yrs is pretty good if it's taken care of. I changed both batteries on our bikes this year. Wifes Big Crank was 9 years and going strong.....put it in one of the riding mowers that had dead battery.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,452
Likes: 3,720
From: backwoods
I'll tear an engine down, but for some reason I let my batteries go. I really do think you can hear your battery go if you pay attention. But a internal failure can happen anytime. For some reason batteries are the one thing I extend the time on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
Not disagreeing. But there is a funny contradiction among many people here. Ride a bike until it blows belt on the road, harder to change, and pretty much every other part on harley they will ride until failure. I have been given lots of upset cries for replacing parts based on age. I work in industry and that is what we do.
I'll tear an engine down, but for some reason I let my batteries go. I really do think you can hear your battery go if you pay attention. But a internal failure can happen anytime. For some reason batteries are the one thing I extend the time on.
I always keep my bikes on a smart tender. I'm never really sure when they will be ridden next, because I take turns riding them all. Even being tender kept, the batteries always seem to give me a sign that they are getting weak...
It's been 35 years since one has failed on me out on the road..
Damn, I hope I didn't just jinx myself...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 1,606
From: Eastern Ohio
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 1,091
From: Eastern IA
Mine may have another year or two but after 7 years I'm calling it good , my Harley battery was still good when I replaced it after 5 years but when I put the new one in it cranked over so much quicker making me realize the original had lost some zip.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 944
From: Lincolnshire, IL
I just had my 5-1/2 year old battery replaced two days ago, when mine was in my dealer's shop for the every 2 year ABS brake flush and fill. I was going to buy the Yuasa and put it in myself, but other than spending 15 minutes more labor money at the dealer, the cost of the HD battery was exactly the same.
BTW, mine is always on a tender/maintainer when not in use but 5-1/2 years is long enough for me.
BTW, mine is always on a tender/maintainer when not in use but 5-1/2 years is long enough for me.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 518
Likes: 593
From: Central Iowa
Age is a poor indicator of a batteries health. A well taken care of battery can easily go beyond 7 years but the exact same battery that's been deep discharged multiple times can be junk in a year. A load test is a definitive indicator of how healthy a cranking battery is and if it passes a load test I'll keep running it.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 417
From: Outer Banks, NC
Of course when it gets cold a weak battery will show it's end of life.
I grew up in Rochester NY. Everybody could start their car in mid Summer. When the 1st cold snap hit in the Fall, cars were lined up at the local Sears buying Diehards!
I grew up in Rochester NY. Everybody could start their car in mid Summer. When the 1st cold snap hit in the Fall, cars were lined up at the local Sears buying Diehards!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
Ahhh, the memories....
Throw in humid summers, 161 precipitation days a year, only 160 sunny days a year, and lake affect snow.
That's why I left Rochester, NY in fall of '78 for SoCal, and I have never considered moving back there since....
