Battery Life??
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
From: Ocala, FL
Battery Life??
I had to buy a new battery today. My bike is an '09 FLHRC...30 months old. The local dealer said that even though they should last longer, that he has seen shorter battery life here in Florida because of the heat, storage in very hot garages, etc. I always put the Battery Tender on if I am not going to ride for a few days, so I was surprised when the hard starting began, and a new battery was needed. What do you think? Does this sound legit?
(I have no issue with the local dealer who is very good. Sold me the battery at 20% off and free installation, + bike wash)
(I have no issue with the local dealer who is very good. Sold me the battery at 20% off and free installation, + bike wash)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
How many miles in 30 months? Sitting doesn't do a battery any good. The last one I had to buy was to replace mine that was 6 years old and had close to 80k on it. Never had a need for a tender.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
Mine died 2 months out of warranty. I ride year round. Died at 24k. No battery tender though. The bike never goes more than a week without being ridden. I put it on the tender all the time now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,151
From: Western South Dakota
My SG was built in 10/08, but is an 09.. Go figure.. that is what I was told by the moco anyway.
So I guess that my battery is almost 3 years old, but no issues( knock on) and I always keep it on the tender if I am home, no matter what the season.
So I guess that my battery is almost 3 years old, but no issues( knock on) and I always keep it on the tender if I am home, no matter what the season.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: southeast indiana
My original stock battery lasted less than 2 years. I have never had a battery die that early. They usually last 5 + years. Needless to say I didn't buy a harley replacement. But, I have never owned a bike with a stereo and I play it a lot with the bike not running when I am cleaning and polishin her up in the garage.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
..30 months on a battery???...something way wrong there...I'm on 6 years now...almost NEVER put it on a tender..why keep charging an already charged battery?...who puts a charger on their car-battery every nite?...IT"S NOT NEEDED on a daily basis...if the bike will sit for more than a month?..fine, tender it...but constant charging for no reason is silly...I think the dealer is blowin smoke up your butt...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Deep South Texas
The original battery in my '09 lasted 18 months. I ride the bike over 300 miles per week, so it did not die from sitting.
I was lucky the dealer replaced it under warranty, so we will see how long this one lasts.
I was lucky the dealer replaced it under warranty, so we will see how long this one lasts.
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I replaced my battery on my ElectraGlide earlier this month just before taking off to Colorado with a OEM battery. The battery I replaced is 4 years old and is in my lawn mower now. I only changed it out of fear of the possibility of it going bad out in the middle of New Mexico. The OEM battery in my wife's bike is 5 years old and going strong. I never used a tender. I have a thermometer in my shop and I have seen temps from 20 deg to 125 degs. Back in the 'ol shovel days, I thought I was doing good to get 2 years out of a battery. Technology has improved them greatly, but along with the improvments comes the higher prices. Every once in a while, though, you hear of one that is a piece of junk. That is generally the exception and not the rule. If your charging system is working, and you don't have a drain when the system is shut down, You just are on the bad side of the exception. Replace it and keep on truckin.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,023
Likes: 989
From: Just Outside Chicago
7 years on my original....Here in Chicago winters have been rough,and bike is in Garage but not heated...Keep it on tender. Bought a Deka (From a local dealer)that makes the HD Batteries. Now that batteries are sealed they can be shipped!!! But if you have issues with a shipped battery you have to go thru hassle of shipping it back.