battery life

[pmar6004]

Take the guess work out of when your battery will die or will no longer be useful, with the Battery Bug, by Argus. I have one installed on my Stallion and it works very well. Gives me that "peace of mind" of knowing the condition of my battery at all times. Here's a link: Argus BB-SBM12-PS Battery Bug Battery Monitor for Motorcycles and Power Sports : Amazon.com : Automotive

Daydreamer

[Lakeman]

Think real hard about the lithium-iom batteries. I have a Sears drill ect set that uses them and they are real sensitive to heat and they like to catch fire. I think Sears no longer sells them. Also lithium-iom are the batteries that have the Boeing Dreamliner grounded!!

[rmrc51]

Think real hard about the lithium-iom batteries. I have a Sears drill ect set that uses them and they are real sensitive to heat and they like to catch fire. I think Sears no longer sells them. Also lithium-iom are the batteries that have the Boeing Dreamliner grounded!!

That was one of the other negative comments about those batteries,,, fires. I'm leaning towards just getting the standard Yuasa battery. That is,, if the battery is my real problem. I'm still going to replace the battery but my Battery Bug says that I still have 84% life left and a full 12 volts. Hopefully, it's just that the terminals need to be cleaned. I'll find out tomorrow.

[Bigbill]

Still have original batter installed. Still no problem. P.S. I use a battery tender jr when parked.

[87Trike1200]

Battery Bug WAS a good product with many good reviews. Recently, they went out of business due to a legal Patent problem which they chose not to fight due to the cost of litigation. Prior to the legal issue, they had upgraded the device with a backlight feature for easier reading. Retail packaging remained the same and there is no way of telling if your purchasing old or new stock until you open the package and hook it up. Other than that, there may still be some available "out there". This explanation is my best understanding, may not be exact, but I believe it's close...

[rhino 2]

Not, starting anything here, But most stock battery's last 3/4 years. Why not just get anther one and be done with it? How many even keep a bike/trike more than 6/8 years.

[msocko3]

I replace them every 3 years whether they need it or not, I like the piece of mind. Even though any thing could happen. Back when I bought my 06 Ultra the battery failed when it was only 6 months old and on a battery tender, the dealer replaced it under warranty.

[rmrc51]

I mentioned that I'd get back to this post once I decided on a battery.

First of all, my trike is now running.

It was the battery. I have no idea how long the old battery was in the bike/trike but I doubt it was the original. It was an 'Auto Craft'. As per my service manager's suggestion, I went with a YUASA high performance GYZ20L. It's a new offering for the Goldwings. Picked it up this morning and just finished installing it.

[americanbadass]

Thanks for the follow up- guess I will take heed to the lithium revoultion, and stay old school on batteries for a while!

[BlueTrinity]

Msocko is absolutely correct. While batteries will and commonly do, last more than three years, it is a gamble that is not worth the reward.

When a Harley battery dies it DIES!
Right here...Right now!

And you could be up creek without the proverbial paddle especially if you're on a solo run.
If its a dead short in a cell, which is most probable, unless you're on a long steep hill, it will be nearly impossible to bump start it since EFIs require a minimum voltage to fire.

Remember, trikes are heavy, so pushing it fast enough is difficult.

Replacing the battery three years is very cheap insurance and batteries rarely expire before that.

Lithium technology is unproven at best in motorcycles. I like glass mat batteries much better since they rely on proven technology and yet are spill proof.

Of course like everything else, including battery life theories, there are many opinions and you have to form your own.

[Gorilla]

I am using a Lithium battery now about the last 6 months. So far so good. Holds a full charge even when sitting for several weeks. Really has a lot of cranking power. Time will tell.

[homer]

i'm glad i read this thread. went out and checked the trike today everythings fine. ridin mower was showin red, checked with meter dead, unplugged tender re-plugged back on green.

[triguy]

09 TG. Battery 3 1/2 years old. Been using battery tender for last 6 mos.
Died while I was 6 mi from home.
Called HD dealer 12 mi away. Svc mgr sent mechanic with new battery.
Took about an hour waiting, and 1/2 hr to install and test elect system.
So grateful, since dealer did not have to do this.
Would have had to call a friend, or get towed, if dealer had not offered to fix.
What a great guy. Said he had been stuck sometimes himself, called dealer, and they didn't help him. So he tries to help anyone he can.
What great svc.
Lesson learned. 3yr replacement cycle from now on....
09 TG
19000 mi
Pasadena, CA

[rooster]

I keep mine on the tender. My old wide glide battery is 8 years old and I think I will buy a new one this spring.

[vstrommer]

I replace mine every 3 years if it needs it or not, I had one burst once a made a mess and never quit rusting and the damage was irreversable....Lesson learned

[twowheeler63]

The one in my 01 RK lasted 9 years and it gave me about 10 days notice that it was going, but, I know that's unusual. As stated, most just die here and now. And, since HDs run everything off of the battery, there's no nursing a dead battery home. The bike won't run on just the alternator, so I'm told.

Funny story. I bought a new one at the HD dealer and the parts guy said most replacements don't last that long, because the factory has a "super charger" to make the originals last longer. I'm 55 and I must look stupid, I guess. What a salesman he was! And, new one was $180.

I also use a tender anytime it sits for more than a couple of days. Unheated, uninsulated, gravel floor, tin barn.

[sportytrike]

I bought my trike used in 2005. I don't how old the battery was then but I always keep it on the tender unless I'm on a trip. Any way I got nervous last year and replaced it. It was still cranking away but I just didn't want to risk it any longer.

[87Trike1200]

Has anyone had experience with Odyssey (brand) batteries. My friend say's they're terrific and am now using one. It's too soon for my opinion except that it seems OK so far. I'm looking for other opinions on Odyssey and what I can expect.

[trikermutha]

Has anyone had experience with Odyssey (brand) batteries. My friend say's they're terrific and am now using one. It's too soon for my opinion except that it seems OK so far. I'm looking for other opinions on Odyssey and what I can expect.

YEs I have and make sure your charging system has the correct charge rate or the battery will not last long.. Found this out on my 32 amp charging system..

[slick rick]

Rule of thumb if its a three year battery three years one month,four year battery four years one month ,five year battery five years one month ,six year battery GOOD LUCK, and dont ride alone.