I have a 2009 1200 Nightster with a battery that holds a charge for about a week, this doesn't sound normal since my 1997 BMW RT has an original one with 400,000km's on it. The dealer thinks I might be triggering the alarm, the lights flash and the battery dies. It's going in for service in the next couple of weeks and I have purchased a 'battery tender' to get me through.

Is this something that is normal with HD's (this is my 6th bike but 1st HD) ??

 

If you have the alarm armed while the bike is parked for a week, then yes it will draw down the battery. In this case, a battery tender should be used hen the bike is parked.

 

+1 on what cHarley stated......It's because of the alarm.

 

I think I would be checking the fuses and relays for corrosion.Pull all,clean dielectric grease and reinstall.If that doesn't help,I would suspect a bad relay,they have had quite a few bad ones.Also check,tighten,dielectric grease all battery connections.You can't trust it was done right from dealer.The alarm will draw some juice,but have seen lots of bikes with alarms sit for awhile with no problems.Bad relays have caused quite a bit of trouble in this area on the newer bikes.

 

The alarm will not drain the battery in a week, mine has the alarm and regularly sits for longer than a week and starts fine, in fact I used a tender this winter but the previous winter it sat indoors for three months and it still started fine with no tender.
There is something wrong with the connections or the battery or the electrical system if it's going dead that fast.
It's under warranty so get it fixed before it leaves you stranded somewhere.

 

When my wife took delivery of her '09 883L with security the dealer changed out the battery. I asked them why and they said there was a problem with it. She has had no issues with it running down.

 

Thank you for the reply's, the battery tender has done the trick for now and I will have the dealer check some of the items you have suggested.

Keep your feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked.

 

Not the alarm in my opinion.
This kind of stuff is what yer warranty is for

 

I have an alarm on my 08 Ultra and I have not had any problems with it. During this past winter it has set for two or three weeks without me starting it. The radio has a clock in it and that is a battery drain also. I think there is something else going on with your bike...