for those who have good luck with batteries for tourers let me know how you use your battery tenders and how long batteries last. thanks

 

I dont know how old the battery in my bike is. I bought the bike used this last March. The lables are peeling and the top of the battery is faded. I put it on the tender each time its going to set for more than a couple of days or when its cold.
Probably will replace it just in case next spring or summer.

 

I plug my bike in after every ride. If it's not being ridden, it's on the tender. I typically get 7-9 years out of a battery.

 

battery life depends on many factors...there is a chemical reaction occurring when they store a charge, another happening when they discharge.

The health of the charging system is paramount

batteries hate heat and vibration--- so we put them in a hot place and shake them.
Those of us in hot climates seem to get a shorter life.

once discharged ( like ooops I left something on) the battery will only return to about 60% of it's previous capacity

a battery will last longer when stored with a trickle charger

if the bike is stored, take the battery out and keep it on the bench

we hope for the best.

Mike

 

I keep the battery tender on constantly when the bike is in the garage, it's the best thing you can do for it.
Can't really speak to battery longevity on baggers, been away for a few years.
Three or four year life span sounds about right. Maybe much longer, kept on a tender.

 

There is no simple answer to your question. Battery life, as already pointed out, is subject to many things, including brand. You can expect to get several years out of a good brand. If you use your bike daily there should be no need to use a tender, when I was working I only ever used them for longer periods of no use. My riding is currently sporadic, so I keep all my bikes on a tender for much of the time.

The extremes in my experience, across all my bikes over the years, is 6 months (failed cell) and around 12 years (respectful retirement). So you can expect yours to last something between those!

 

If the bike is home it is on the tender, year round.
The weak link in this is the starter clutch. (on the newer models)
Replace it, probably will go out before your battery.
Mine went out after 2 years, but I bought a new battery, but it was the starter clutch all along.
If you have a 2012 mind your voltage regulator.

 

2008 FLHX,located in SoCal and I have had high comp since day one, installed ACR's in 2010, plugged into tender when at my house at all times. This July when I was working out of town my bike got knocked over in my garage and the tender got unplugged for 4 weeks. Battery was toast when I tried to start it upon my return. It did last for over 7 years though.

 

mine went out at about 2 years but thats because i left my heated seat on last winter and it wouldn't recharge. i ride it almost daily march through november. so its seldom on a tender. december through feburary, ill ride on days above 35 or so. its on a tender between those days i don't ride.

 

Same here! Although I have never had a battery last 7 years or longer. JR