how long do batterys normally last, trickel charge help if bike sits a while during winter.

 

Battery tender helps prolong life. 5-7 years no problem on a battery, depending.

 

....ditto...5-7...probably depends on climate too...I hardly ever use my "Tender" and I've never gotten less than 5 years out of a battery. If the bike is stored in an unheated space, in a northern climate, you should take the batt out of the bike and indoors. then trickle it once a month til spring...

 

I live in NH were it gets a bit cold come winter and my bikes are stored in a shed. My 94 Lowrider is on its second battery. I pull the battery every winter put it on the workbench in the basement and put a battery tender on it. Oncea month I put a headlight on it for an hour or so just to exercise the battery. Now many will say that will harm the battery. All I can tell you is my original factory battery lasted 8 years 93-01 and the second one has been in there since April of 01 and seems to be doing just fine. I'm guessing sometime in 08 I will be buying a new battery for it. I think that is pretty good all it takes is a little Preventive Maintenance and you can easily go 5-7 years.