Battery replacement...when???
#21
You guys that go for 5-7 yrs are lucky,heat will kill um..when I was in AZ my garage was 115 inside,got maybe a year out of a battery,rule of thumb they say is 3yrs,but may very where you live...
#23
Changing the battery can be a pain in the butt. I think you should get a new bike instead. It's less work.
#25
Don't forget about replacement belts and chains, fix-a-flat, motor, tranny, brake hose, brake caliber (front and rear), starter and alternator. It is all about risk management. If it is mission critical, I would rent a HD and have your wife tow the rental behind you.
#26
I'd say if you're going on a big trip just go ahead and replace it for peace of mind. You've gotten good service out of this one so you can't complain.
#27
Your battery life apparently depends on how you take care of your bike, and battery, and where you live (because of both high and low temperatures).. My 04 still has the original battery in it. I think it just sort of depends on how far you want to push things... I am sure that my battery will do for this year. But over this next winter, be sure that I will be replacing it. I think five years is a long time for a battery. I will drive my truck until the battery is well gone, and lets me sit. But I'd much rather be proactive with my bike. Getting stuck somewhere on a bike is a TON different than getting stuck in a car or truck.
Just me
NTGirl
Just me
NTGirl
#28
I just replaced the battery in my RK, it was two years old, but had an internally shorted cell. (according my my smart charger). The new battery had a chart I thought was handy. Basically is says to charge the battery fully then read the voltage after the battery has been off the charger for 24 hours. 12.8 volts or greater= 100%, 12.6 volts=75%, 12.3 volts=50%, 12 volts= 25%, and 11.8 volts=0.