Battery
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
The original battery in my '06 still starts on the first hit off the starter. I keep it on a battery tender over the winter when I'm not riding for long stretches. Seems to have plenty of life left in it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Why not?
For me battery life has been a crap shoot at best. I've had some that lasted little over a year and others that lasted almost 10 years. I wait until I notice cranking speed getting slow. Cold weather requires more power from the battery, it is normal for the bike to crank over a little slower in cold weather.
This is also when you will really notice the difference between a good battery and a weak one.
Battery tenders are good but if you use one everyday it may hide the effects of a battery getting weak.
Heat kills batteries, IMO the engine heat on some bikes can affect the battery life more than others.
For me battery life has been a crap shoot at best. I've had some that lasted little over a year and others that lasted almost 10 years. I wait until I notice cranking speed getting slow. Cold weather requires more power from the battery, it is normal for the bike to crank over a little slower in cold weather.
This is also when you will really notice the difference between a good battery and a weak one.
Battery tenders are good but if you use one everyday it may hide the effects of a battery getting weak.
Heat kills batteries, IMO the engine heat on some bikes can affect the battery life more than others.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 5
Depends on the electrical load, ie. GPS, radio, heated gear. The more you load it the less time it will last.
My RK has nothing electrical and I am on year 5. I will be getting a new one this spring just to be on the safe side.
We push started a bud's Ultra a couple of weeks ago. Stopped for lunch and a beer and 3 hours later, ready to leave, he had left the switch on. He hit the starter and nothing, headlight wouldn't burn. I guess he had just enough juice to enegize the pump/injectors.
My RK has nothing electrical and I am on year 5. I will be getting a new one this spring just to be on the safe side.
We push started a bud's Ultra a couple of weeks ago. Stopped for lunch and a beer and 3 hours later, ready to leave, he had left the switch on. He hit the starter and nothing, headlight wouldn't burn. I guess he had just enough juice to enegize the pump/injectors.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 11
From: Right Coast
Still using my original battery which is 5+ years and it charges almost instantly when I connect my BT Jr.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
I've been getting 4-5 years out of mine. Pretty religious about the battery tender though, and I DON"T wait until it won't crank to replace. A little common sense goes a long ways with battery maintenance...