Replace it, I tried to stretch mine out last fall and it started acting funny, low idle, light would dim at lights, etc. Finally it died after stopping at a store. Luckily, I was on a slight hill and could pop the clutch and go. Keep in mind if you pop the clutch to start it, put it in second first. The tire just skidded when I tried first gear, but in second she started right up.

 

get a battery and a tender and you'll be set for another 5-6 years

 

I keep mine on a tender whenever the bike is parked, and I change my battery every five years. You got good life out of it, its time.

 

Has anyone actually had a battery fail on them? What were the signs that it was on its last legs?

Mine failed last winter when I went to put it on the trailer for some winter work.
Best place for it to happen as it was in my garage.
Its an 05.
Change it by choice in your garage, not on the road when you HAVE to.

MikeM

 

I just changed the battery on my '06. It wasn't turning the engine over as fast as it was, so I took it to Autozone to test it and it had a dead cell. I didn't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere, so I went ahead and got a new one.

 

Only once in 48 yrs have we ever had a battery fail,it gave no signs at all.We started bike up drove 1/2 mile stopped at light,bike died,battery completely flat.It shorted out.Change it when you feel the time is right.

 

There are only 2-3 companies that actually manufacture motorcycle batteries sold in the US. All the others are just labeled with names such as diehard etc. Battery Tenders are useless for anything other than a long term storage solution. A battery can only take so much charge before it is maxed out. If the battery is in good shape your charging system as you ride is keeping it at full charge. If you store the bike for weeks on end then a tender is needed. If you use a tender make sure it is an automatic one that shuts off when battery is fully charged.

 

I have the battery that came in my 04 Sporty. I am the second owner but I assume it is the original. It starts like a charm, no dragging or anything. I have had batteries fail on my old pos 82 Kawai with no warning. I think the starter was dragging even though I had it rebuilt a couple of times. I have left batteries in my bikes over our cold, hard winters and had them start the bike in the spring without charging. My lawn tractor eats batteries for breakfast, go figure. I hate to replace them until they need it, but I also hate to be stranded.