Whatcha think HD stands for? Hundred Dollars. When buying stuff its hard to get out of the dealer for less.

 

I think the newer batteries stink. I had an 01 heritage I'd ride to work in Indiana winters. The bike would sit for 11 hrs in below 20 temps. Started right up. My last bike ,16 limited had trouble starting after sitting in 40 deg days

 

Rex, I'm guessing you're new to this game.

First of all, batteries are a maintenance item. If you don't take care of them they will die. That could be at 6 months, 2 years or 8 years. Because it is a name brand battery doesn't mean it will last longer.

Secondly, everyone wants to blame it on Harley. Harley is a brand name. Brand name items will cost more. If you think this is unique to Harley then go price batteries at a Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, John Deere, Kubota, etc dealer. If you don't want to pay the premium for the name then go buy Jocko Putz's battery and see how long it lasts. It really is that simple.

 

Yea I dont buy the 'it always has to be on a tender' argument. I have one battery tender jr & I move it around on my various toys every few weeks. I'll attach it to my Ultra Classic quite a bit because of the security system drawing power. My quad batteries seem to last a long time even here in AZ & that's only topping off the batteries every month or so.

 

It's been my experience that if a person rides the damn bike, like it was intended to be instead of just letting it sit around, the battery will last longer than 2 yeas.

 

Not new. Most of my frustration is with the service center in my area. I get that battery life is about maintenance and riding. I ride at least 3 days a week for 8 months a year, sometimes more. Iowa winters make 4 of those months difficult to do.

Regardless of whether it's brand-related or not, it's just a shame for any product to require hundreds of dollars a year to maintain. I spend a lot less on my cars' maintenance. Don't get me wrong, I love my Road King. But when I bought it I also bought the right to complain about it.

 

Agreed. It really should. Riding it hasn't been an issue for me.

 

Actually, they don't. Heat is the enemy of batteries. Probably not a bad idea to keep a maintenance charger on it those 4 months it is down.

Most people make a big deal out of the alarm, ECM, speedometer and other draws on battery but they are next to nothing. Batteries just loose a little sitting. I leave two cars, bike and rider tractor sitting 6 months. I do nothing to them. Bike and tractor since battery us small are on a maintenance charger. All is fine when I get back in spring.

Theses small glass mat gel batteries do not last as long as a car. I just get Walmart's dry gel since they have one for my Softail. Last about 4 years. 1/2 what a Harley battery is.
Their car battery is second to none. Had them go 6-7 years.

 

Thanks for the insight and tips, RIPSAW. I do put the battery on a Schumacher 1.5 Amp Trickle Charger Battery Maintainer over the winter. Maybe I was just unlucky on this one.

 

Not. Sure how good your charger is. I know in my battery book, it list three maintenance charger's . None that big. Know depending on how good it is in cutting down. I have two, a Harley and a Bell. Both are below 1 volt.

I have had one battery fail in the three year warranty in my cars. My away student. Since I was driving 100 miles to check it out, i just warranted it as a free exchange. Bike battery is only a year I think. May even be less then that. Less then $120. So no matter.