Battery Issue
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
$250.00, was he throwing in a reach around?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,306
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
OP; did you test the battery...what's the meter/load reading?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
battery
JHC210 you live in the hot South like I do. Granted I don't use a tender but my batteries last 3-4 years max and I ride every day. They just don't make good batteries like they used to. Lately I've had good luck Lynn Vick Batteries. I use Power Source in my bagger and Lightning Start in my hot rod dyna. I've heard recently that they now have a 560CCA battery for baggers and that will be my next battery for sure.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Qc
I too have had to change my battery after 2 years, however it wasn't my battery's fault, I have the Smart Siren II installed and it seems the 9V battery inside wasn't working and it was draining the main battery. I'd check if you have one while your changing batteries.
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
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 4
From: Denver, CO
My battery lasted less than three years, even on a battery tender plus and longer rides.
The replacement AGM battery is a LOT better than the one that came with the bike!
I can tell this because the way the green light of the tender comes on fairly quickly after a long ride.
With the factory original battery, the green light on the tender would always take eight hours to go on.
I believe I had a bad cell in the factory battery and the darn thing finally gave out... prematurely.
So yes... there are less than stellar batteries coming in from the factory.
The replacement AGM battery is a LOT better than the one that came with the bike!
I can tell this because the way the green light of the tender comes on fairly quickly after a long ride.
With the factory original battery, the green light on the tender would always take eight hours to go on.
I believe I had a bad cell in the factory battery and the darn thing finally gave out... prematurely.
So yes... there are less than stellar batteries coming in from the factory.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
I work at an automobile assembly plant and I once heard that the number one warranty problem is the battery. My wife bought a new Lincoln in 2010 and the battery was toast within a week. I changed my 07 Ultra battery last year with this - http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Cra...-fl-flh-1570cc . They ship anywhere in the US and Canada. I happened to be driving right past their door about a year ago and picked one up for $81.00 out the door.
Kevin
07 Ultra
Kevin
07 Ultra