Battery Life ??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
Been pretty lucky with my batteries. I have a 09 Ultra, 09 Silverado, and mower that I keep on a "smart" tender when not in use. Just did a load test on all the batteries this morning and all still showing plenty of power. When I hit the five year mark I will most likely replace before a trip. Hate to have one take a dump when needed the most. My Toyota pickup is still running the origional battery from 2004 - maybe it will hang in there until I sell it next year.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 13
From: Sussex, South of England
So I'm 18 months into my factory battery and I'm starting to notice slow cranking when hot. Started to get a BT when two coworkers told me they have noticed slight pitting in the chrome work cause they have used BT's since day one. They both always have a bike cover on. So my scoot is always covered up and I'm wondering if there is any truth to this.
Anybody else have a bike that's always under a bike cover with the BT hooked up notice this???
Anybody else have a bike that's always under a bike cover with the BT hooked up notice this???
Either there is something else going on with your mates bikes or they have a cheap tender which does not regulate properly and slightly cook the batteries (which creates acidic vapours). I would not worry about the chrome pitting due to a battery tender.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 551
Likes: 17
From: japan
07 Ultra have original battery I do put the tender on when it set for 3 or 4 days. I usually have good luck with batteries (knock on wood). 03 F150 (bought new) has the original battery and my 1993 Nissan battery lasted 12 years and the door was left open and ran the battery down and it would not take a charge. Will replace the Ultra battery when needed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,880
Likes: 33,819
So I'm 18 months into my factory battery and I'm starting to notice slow cranking when hot. Started to get a BT when two coworkers told me they have noticed slight pitting in the chrome work cause they have used BT's since day one. They both always have a bike cover on. So my scoot is always covered up and I'm wondering if there is any truth to this.
Anybody else have a bike that's always under a bike cover with the BT hooked up notice this???
Anybody else have a bike that's always under a bike cover with the BT hooked up notice this???
Novice
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: South Central Indiana
6 years 4 months on my original battery. Never on a battery tender! I own 1 but never needed to hook it up. The original battery did take a dump on me at the beginning of a trip to FL last year. Fortunately I wasn't too far from the Dealer, Other than paying the Dealer price for a replacement($175). But I think I got good life from the 1st and hope for the same from this one.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
I ride an '05 FLHR. I just replaced the battery this week. I did not have the first problem with it. I only changed it because of its age; I'm headed out on tour and didn't want to be in the middle of nowhere when it decided to expire.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Well, I got my answer today just 3 days after posting how long my original battery lasted. It bit the dust this morning. I'm happy with 5 years out of a battery.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Canada
I still marvel at getting that long out of a battery. Before the AGMs my old shovel would go through a Yuasa wet cell battery pretty much annually.
