When do you know it's time for a new battery?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
When do you know it's time for a new battery?
I have a 2008 Electra Glide Classic. It has the original battery. I've never had one problem with the battery. I plug the battery into a charger / maintainer any time I'm not riding for a few days. It's plugged in all winter.
Still, its 5 years old now and I don't want to be caught out somewhere with problems. What do you guys recommend? And what are the signs that a battery is giving out? Or do they just DIE?
Thanks
Still, its 5 years old now and I don't want to be caught out somewhere with problems. What do you guys recommend? And what are the signs that a battery is giving out? Or do they just DIE?
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 313
Likes: 84
From: Central KY
Batteries are very unpredictable. I've seen batteries that worked with no problems for a decade. I've also seen batteries fail with no prior indication (completely failed).
I'd say that if your battery is working well and charges easily I would not worry about it until it either has a problem holding a charge, starts using water or will not charge easily to 100%.
You could buy a new battery and have it fail more quickly than your current battery. You never know. If you've kept it charged (as you apparently have) and it's shown no signs of failure, press on until it does.
I'd say that if your battery is working well and charges easily I would not worry about it until it either has a problem holding a charge, starts using water or will not charge easily to 100%.
You could buy a new battery and have it fail more quickly than your current battery. You never know. If you've kept it charged (as you apparently have) and it's shown no signs of failure, press on until it does.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
Usually about every three years just buy a new battery. Some will say my battery has lasted 6,7,8 years.. cool. For me even in vehicles change battery every three years. The cold weather here is brutal. The heat here is hot as well/ Plus it's 100 bucks no biggie when it comes to piece of mind. IMO. I remember recently someone posted how there battery was this old and it finally just took a dump on em. Some might drain the battery all the way one or two times and dry a cell up and then the battery is weak. Charging system then works harder to charge the bad cell.
But I do always plug my bike in if I am not gonna use it for a day or two.
But I do always plug my bike in if I am not gonna use it for a day or two.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
Mine is a year older than yours.. 2007 with 50K and I threw a code the other day and got the battery light come on, and the guage dropped below 14. Then it cleared and the battery light went off within 5 minutes.
So I checked the battery and noticed the red cable was quite oxidized.. I unscrewed the battery connection (and immediately lost the screw into the engine cavity where it is deep and dark and scary) cleaned up the connections and put some dielectric on and buttoned it up.
Seems okay now.. so I am going to stay pat.
So I checked the battery and noticed the red cable was quite oxidized.. I unscrewed the battery connection (and immediately lost the screw into the engine cavity where it is deep and dark and scary) cleaned up the connections and put some dielectric on and buttoned it up.
Seems okay now.. so I am going to stay pat.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 66
From: Slidell, Louisiana
I replaced mine not long ago after 5 years. I noticed a reduction in the sharpness of how the bike started. I took it to a shop and the battery tested below average.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
A battery is one of those things you just replace after its predicted life, like at five years. It's not worth having it strand you in an inconvenient place away from home or a parts store. Very few last years past their expected range.