battery life

[Lakeman]

$5 my butt!

[Woolie]

A couple years ago the battery went bad on my Electra Glide, no warning. We were riding and it was fine, we shut it off for a break and it was gone from then on. Couldn't push it or boost it to start it. Had to borrow a battery from my brother to get the bike home. It will go bad when you least expect it.

[Sloufoot]

You could buy a battery analizer if you are flush, or just have someone at an autoparts store use theirs.....
They are a bit expensive to just use once a year or so.

[Lakeman]

Are you talking about a load test? If so they are not expensive.

[Sloufoot]

Are you talking about a load test? If so they are not expensive.

No not just a load test. The analyzer tests the voltage under a slight load, then watches the volt drop, then watches the recovery of the voltage back to a static charge that batteries should have. The draw test is a low amperage draw as to not damage the cells. But just enough to make a slight voltage drop. Then rates the battery for life. Quite accurate.
To get an idea for current price do a search for battery analyzers. It is much less expensive to just stop by an auto parts store, or any place that sells batteries. Batteries Plus is one place here.

[Sloufoot]

Are you talking about a load test? If so they are not expensive.

Here is a good example of a load tester that does AGM, Gel, & standard batteries.:Pulse Tech 6 Volt 12 Volt Battery Analyzer Tester | eBay

[rae2012]

My 2012 battery died last week , just replaced with H D new one . Before it went dead had the check engine and battery light come on while going down hwy. the volt gauge also dropped below 12 volts . I bought and installed the new one . Took it for a ride and the check engine and battery light came on again . Took it to H D shop only thing they could find was battery bolts needed about half turn more on each . Went for a ride yesterday and volt gauge went down to 10 volts twice . Has anyone had this happen ? Trike still in warranty but still had to pay half hour labor !

[trikermutha]

My 2012 battery died last week , just replaced with H D new one . Before it went dead had the check engine and battery light come on while going down hwy. the volt gauge also dropped below 12 volts . I bought and installed the new one . Took it for a ride and the check engine and battery light came on again . Took it to H D shop only thing they could find was battery bolts needed about half turn more on each . Went for a ride yesterday and volt gauge went down to 10 volts twice . Has anyone had this happen ? Trike still in warranty but still had to pay half hour labor !

did they check the regulator and stator voltage readings..one or the other is bad..I am guessing the regulator at this point..If you have a manual and a meter you can check youself..

[KindaOldTriker]

Failing during 2 yr warranty, that seems like a pretty crummy battery. I just replaced my wifes Sportster battery after 6 years. It still started fine but she added a bunch of LEDs and I didn't trust it sitting for a few hours somewhere with the lights running. I've never had one go bad in under 5 years while using a tender whenever it's not being run.
But, when I bought my Victory which sat in a showroom for two years with only 35 miles on it as a 'demo' the battery was dead and they had to replace it. That was 4 years ago, with a tender attached now.

[trikermutha]

I have seen charging systems kill a battery..Lucky I am still using my orginal 2010 battery and seems to be still holding up..

[msocko3]

My 2012 battery died last week , just replaced with H D new one . Before it went dead had the check engine and battery light come on while going down hwy. the volt gauge also dropped below 12 volts . I bought and installed the new one . Took it for a ride and the check engine and battery light came on again . Took it to H D shop only thing they could find was battery bolts needed about half turn more on each . Went for a ride yesterday and volt gauge went down to 10 volts twice . Has anyone had this happen ? Trike still in warranty but still had to pay half hour labor !

Like trikermutha said, might be your regulator. HD had a regulator recall campaign for early 2012's. Click on the bulletin number and you can check yours out to see if it is part of the recall M1325.

[Sloufoot]

Now that is where a battery analyzer would be handy ! Well worth the time taken to have the battery tested before purchase of a new one.
My regulator went out on my 2012 trike also just after I bought it. It did the same thing you are describing. Harley had a bad run of them out of China!

[retread]

Take this suggestion and save yourself some grief. Every three years switch your battery out. Like the gentleman said, some last 2 yrs and some last 7. Nothing is worse than to be on a trip or a ride and have the battery die. And when they die most do not give you a warning. It's not worth the headache to have to worry about it. I usually buy a Harley battery for my Ultra and a Westco, for my "other" bike. (I understand I'm not permitted to mention it on this site)

I have a 2015 Triglide, just installed 4th battery. They keep telling me all systems fine, must be bad batteries ( OEM replacements under warranty) . Can't believe this is true. Anybody else have this problem?