Finally died, 0.5 mi from home. 3 years, 4 months. On a tender for most of the time.

 

I got 8 years out of my last battery on my 05 RK. Rarely on a tender, just got lucky I guess. It was still starting when I took it out, I just figured it was going to strand me real soon.

 

Heat is the worst enemy and the softail battery could not be in a worse place. If you ride in the heat for long trips you fry the battery.
Two three years Max for me.

 

My first battery only lasted 2 years, 8 months and 10 days. I keep mine on a tender all the time.

I'm in Texas so, as discussed, I can expect a shorter than average battery life.

 

Coming up on seven years. Never used a tender

 

I posted the above barely 6 weeks ago. When I said shorter than average battery life, which is already below average, I wasn't kidding. Over the last couple of weeks, I could tell that my battery was not 100% when starting the bike. Again, I have my battery on a tender all the time. I decided to keep it off for 3 days. I did and checked the voltage without a load and it was 12.3v.

Since I was going into town today to have 3 dogs groomed, a 65 mile trip, I pulled the battery to have it load tested. It was on a charger (not the tender) last night. The voltage without load was 12.5v and tested as a bad battery. This was the first replacement for the original battery (my second battery) and it only lasted 13 months. It was an HD battery and, of course, the warranty is only 12 months.

I've been researching batteries and decided to go with the Duracell Ultra battery from Batteries + Bulbs. The specs were the same as the HD battery, it cost $125 versus the HD @ $129 and the Duracell has a 2 year warranty which is honored at any Batteries + Bulbs in the country. The purchase is in their database so I don't have to carry any receipts.

I've said it before that batteries last as long as they last, but I'm not having much longevity from my batteries

My tender pigtail has an LED that flashes when the battery needs charging. It was flashing recently and stopped flashing after riding which would indicate that the charging system is likely functional, although, that isn't exactly a very scientific test of the charging system. I may, if time allows, check my voltage regulator. I am not going to hunt down some minor ground issue causing a small voltage drain. It is easier to replace a battery every 1-3 years.

My hypothesis suggests the most likely cause of my premature battery demise is the Texas heat. My oil temperatures are generally around 230° F. Not exactly ideal conditions for long battery life. Looking at the bright side, I should be good for the next year

 

I have '08 SuperG, 75,000 miles, with strong original battery.

 

I have '08 Superglide with 75,000 miles and strong original battery.

 

Mine just died. Stock battery (2013), always kept on a tender.

 

Just replaced the original battery on my 2007 SG ... always on a tender - until we moved this summer and couldn't find the tender ... then had to lay it to rest ..... >