It lasted 7 years ...
It lasted 7 years ...
My OEM battery, mfg date of 06/06, finally died this afternoon without warning.
Fortunately, I was headed home after 150 mi ride & decided to stop in my old shop for a spell. When I went to leave, the battery was dead. All they had was a Drag Spec sealed battery in stock but it's the correct one so that beats no battery. After a short time charging, the bike fired right up & off I went.
Its only weird because I had been recently thinking that it was time for a new battery. But each time, just like today, the bike fired right up & off I went.
Breaking down in front of my old shop was pure luck.....
Fortunately, I was headed home after 150 mi ride & decided to stop in my old shop for a spell. When I went to leave, the battery was dead. All they had was a Drag Spec sealed battery in stock but it's the correct one so that beats no battery. After a short time charging, the bike fired right up & off I went.
Its only weird because I had been recently thinking that it was time for a new battery. But each time, just like today, the bike fired right up & off I went.
Breaking down in front of my old shop was pure luck.....
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Crossville, Tennessee
Lucky you were at your old shop, last time a battery went out on me I was 40 miles from nowhere. My 08 battery is still working ok but I am thinking of just getting a new one. Problem is, I not to sure what to buy. I'm hearing a lot of guys complaining that the new Harley replacement batteries are not holding up very long...anything to this rumor guys???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
Battery life can vary greatly depending on where you live, how you ride, and using a battery tender to maintain your battery's life span.
Personally, I change the batteries on our "road bikes" before the start of the third season if I (or we) are going on a long road trip. I rotate the older batteries to other bikes and my generator which usually gives me 4 years (or more) of service for each battery.
Trying to get that last start out of a battery can sometimes get you stranded and I'd prefer to change frequently and not have to worry about being stranded.
Personally, I change the batteries on our "road bikes" before the start of the third season if I (or we) are going on a long road trip. I rotate the older batteries to other bikes and my generator which usually gives me 4 years (or more) of service for each battery.
Trying to get that last start out of a battery can sometimes get you stranded and I'd prefer to change frequently and not have to worry about being stranded.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
I bought the 2007 Road Glide I have now used in 2011 with 7,350 miles on it.
I'm _guessing_ that after 4 years with relatively low mileage, that the battery was original.
It came with a pigtail connector and plug on it, so I bought a Schumaker battery maintainer to use with it -- plugged right into the lead on the bike.
So after what looks to be seven years, the original battery is still doing ok. But I always plug it into the maintainer after a ride. The garage is unheated, and this past winter was the first year I left the battery in the bike for the winter, but plugged into the charger. Bike started right up in March, just like any other time.
I'm _guessing_ that after 4 years with relatively low mileage, that the battery was original.
It came with a pigtail connector and plug on it, so I bought a Schumaker battery maintainer to use with it -- plugged right into the lead on the bike.
So after what looks to be seven years, the original battery is still doing ok. But I always plug it into the maintainer after a ride. The garage is unheated, and this past winter was the first year I left the battery in the bike for the winter, but plugged into the charger. Bike started right up in March, just like any other time.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 811
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
Thats almost unheard of for a battery these days, you got a very good run out of it, lucky you were at your old shop when it happened.
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