Time for a new battery?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Orange Co, California
Time for a new battery?
My bike (2009 FLHRC) is nearly 3 yrs old and I ride it almost every day - it is my commuter as well as weekend touring machine.
About 2-3 weeks ago, I noticed when starting it, it will crank, then almost sound like it cannot crank, then it fires up. I think it is just the battery is getting old and losing a bit of its punch, which is relatively easy to correct.
I thought I'd check in here though and see if anyone had any other possible causes for this that I should look into before spending money on a battery
If it is the battery - anyone have anything bad to say about the Big Crank EXT30L?
About 2-3 weeks ago, I noticed when starting it, it will crank, then almost sound like it cannot crank, then it fires up. I think it is just the battery is getting old and losing a bit of its punch, which is relatively easy to correct.
I thought I'd check in here though and see if anyone had any other possible causes for this that I should look into before spending money on a battery
If it is the battery - anyone have anything bad to say about the Big Crank EXT30L?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I suggest you give your bike a once over first. Make sure the battery and heavy power cables are tight and clean, especially grounds. Check you have a good charge when the engine is running. I have had batteries last from 6 months to over a decade, so their life is unpredictable, but how well they perform can be down to simple stuff.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 702
Likes: 16
From: Zebulon, NC
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ng-mystry.html
read through the above thread...lots of battery issue insight.
I checked my charging system and ordered a big crank (the 30) on saturday....should be here today.
with an email signup at batterymart, it was 88.16 shipped.
I believe it is the same as the HD one.
read through the above thread...lots of battery issue insight.
I checked my charging system and ordered a big crank (the 30) on saturday....should be here today.
with an email signup at batterymart, it was 88.16 shipped.
I believe it is the same as the HD one.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 875
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
On my third HD Battery for my 09. Last one lasted just over a year. There has to be a better battery. Mine cranked the same way until finally it didn't... had a dead cell. I kept it on a battery trickle charger all winter to no avail.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 6
Same battery as this one, which is what I got. My old one acted the same way, if I held the clutch in while the bike was in gear, it got harder and harder for it to start. In neutral it did better. The first sign. I continued that, and it was very noticeable, for a year, then I started out the new riding season with a new battery. It is not going to get any better so why worry for a year like I did whether your bike is going to start or not, just get a new battery.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 974
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake Virginia
This sounds like you are killing your batteries. Be sure you are using a maintainer not a trickle charger. These AGM batteries will fail early on occasion but three with one year life seams unusual. BTW not so sure about the $4.99 harbour freight maintainer. Get a good one.
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
if it were me I would take the battery to the auto parts store and have it properly tested....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 107
From: Joplin, MO
Sounds like the battery to me. Go with the Deka/Big Crank/HD battery. Get a "Battery Minder" not a "Battery Tender". The Minder has a de-sulphation feature that improves longevity. I used one on mine and got 7 years out of my oem HD battery. Just replaced it last month. Voltage gauge showed it was OK, but if she had to crank a few times on startup, it sounded like it was dragging a bit, so.... It probably would have lasted another summer, but didn't want to worry about getting stranded.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
Voltage on a 100% charged battery will show 12.7 volts. Anything much less and it will start to "drag" when you hit the starter. The voltage meter in my dash shows to be charging at the rate of 13.5v nearly all the time. These big, touring bikes have a lot of demands on them from accessories etc.