Battery Life
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 61
From: Castle Rock, CO
2008 Electra Glide Classic with 27,000 miles still on the original battery. I use a battery tender most of the time. First harley was a 1994 FXR. The battery had an internal short develop in 1996. Then bought a 1996 Road King in 1998. It had the original battery in it when I sold it in 2006.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
The battery in my 07 left me stranded on the way back from Sturgis a month shy of her 6th birthday. I knew I should have replaced it before I left. It cost me an extra $50 more than I would have paid locally plus $50 ($150-100 that HOG paid) for the tow. I keep it on a tender during the winter, but I'll be replacing it before it get that old the next time.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
Heat is your worst enemy on a battery. If you ride in 90+ for an extended time expect 3-4 years, max especially on the Softail where the battery is inside the oil tank.
The worst possible place to put one.
Best environment to store a battery is in the cooler, charged.
For a good example look at where everyone is and how long they say there battery last.
The worst possible place to put one.
Best environment to store a battery is in the cooler, charged.
For a good example look at where everyone is and how long they say there battery last.
Last edited by Harleycruiser; Oct 2, 2012 at 09:09 PM.
Slow and labored cranking to start. I was told to look at the battery gauge w/ KOEO then hit the start button. A two to three volt drop while cranking is normal.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
For me, it was "click". No warning whatsoever. I made 3 or 4 stops that day and the bike cranked over like always, til the final stop and no start.
The dealer checked it and said it had a capacity of 1 cranking amp. That's pretty dead.
The dealer checked it and said it had a capacity of 1 cranking amp. That's pretty dead.
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