I have a 1997 Fatboy I just purchased and I am totally new to the motorcycle scene My question is how long do batteries normally last (the date that the prevoius ownerinstalled the battery is 03/2005)? and what type of battery do you recommend?

 

I recommend the HD battery that goes for your bike. If the previous owner took care of it (i.e. plugged it in to a battery tender when not in use) then it should last at least 4-5 years. If it was abused it may not last 2 years if that.

 

I have a HD Gel battery that was installed 4 years ago. I have had the bike a little over a year. I got a small automatic tender that I plug up when not in use. So far so good.

 

5 years 3 months so far on my original HD battery. It can't go much longer, but I'm going to ride it till it drops.

 

This is a hard question to answer. Normally I would say 3 or 4 yrs max but my son just started his 7th season on a HD gel battery in his 94 Dyna.His rugrats turned on the ign/lights in the garage and drained the battery flat several times over the yearsand we just recharge it.He didnt even take it out of the bike till this january when temps here in the north east got below 0*. I put it on a trickle charge for 4 days, installed it in his bike this morning and it started right up. Its amazing, I never seen a battery take this much abuse and last this long. I know one of theses days its going to just die but for now its working just fine. If it were my bike I would have changed it after the 4th season just to play it safe.................BG