I’m not one that likes to be left with a dead battery. So, I typically replace batteries in my vehicles before they die. This is a poll, when do you replace your batteriy?:

Based on time: 2 years
Based on time: 3 years
Based on time: 4 years
Based on time: 5 years
Based on time: 6 years
After it seems to be getting weak.
When it dies completely.

 

Well... I'd say when it's getting weak, but that ALWAYS seems to be two years in my area. I mean two years to a month or two. So, two years.

I just replaced it. I wish I had the nerve to try one of those lithiums. I went with the conventional again. Maybe next time.

 

I use the Battery Tender's battery tester to check the battery;

 

My 1996 FB first battery lasted 10 years second battery 10 years. On the third now. The newer bikes are harder on the battery. If they get weak put them on tender over night. If they do it again and no sign of a charging issue replace .

 

every time my battery went south, my starter would not engage properly with mechanical noise. when it start acting up, ordered a new one. so far, the HD battery performed and lasted longer that any other brand including the DEKA which makes the battery for HD. hd is expensive but reliable.

 

Heat Is an enemy of batteries. If it’s hot where you live , and keep your bike, That might contribute to accelerated battery death. I wonder if the lithiums are more resistant to heat accelerated battery death?

 

^^^ Well, I could not get a definitive answer from my parts counter so I just bought another stock H-D lead acid. I really WANT the lithium, but do not want to be a test case. I’ll wait for more data points to come it. Yeah, it’s hot here. The first sign of lugging on start, I replace the battery. Been stuck one too many times. Maybe by two years from now there will be enough information to make a decision.

 

I've had boat batteries that lasted 15 years. It would be nice if there was a reliable predictor of battery condition. I have been stranded by a bad battery on occasion, but I don't like replacing them while they are still good.

 

I usually get about 2 years out of mine. If I get a weak start & it's past 2 years I will just go get one.

 

Ironically I just replaced mine just yesterday with a calcium enriched Yuasa battery. Calcium enriched plate batteries do come at a premium but have advantages. In two of the engineering environments I have worked 12 volt batteries were load tested once a year to three times their CCA rating using a carbon pile tester and replaced after five years irrespective of load results as the load test is only a snapshot. I work to the same principle and replace at the 4.5 - 5 year stage. 3 - 5 years is the recommended life on any automotive battery. One thing is for certain with my luck if my battery was going to let me down it would be in the most inconvenient spot and I ain't got the energy or knees any more to bump start it.