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[ridefar]

What are we looking at in terms of OEM battery life on a 2004 SEEG? I am told that this is an AGM (absorbed glass mat) type battery that came standard. Has anyone had one fail on them, as in short circuit internally? As  sidebar, I have a 10 year old snowmobile with original AGM battery that sees far less use than a bike and only casual "Tending" and it is still working fine! I realize for $150.00 bucks why not just replace it and probaly will... but I gots to know. Thanks

[ice6900]

i still have original batteries on my 07cvo, 01softail & 2000dyna scoots. The batteries have never seen a tender.

[Gettinold]

What are we looking at in terms of OEM battery life on a 2004 SEEG? I am told that this is an AGM (absorbed glass mat) type battery that came standard. Has anyone had one fail on them, as in short circuit internally? As  sidebar, I have a 10 year old snowmobile with original AGM battery that sees far less use than a bike and only casual "Tending" and it is still working fine! I realize for $150.00 bucks why not just replace it and probaly will... but I gots to know. Thanks

Just keep it on the tender when not in use.

[muddypaws]

Just traded in a 2005 with 50,000 miles. I always use the battery tender if I plan to leave the bike for more then two weeks. Never had a battery failure.

[Capo]

03 SERK -original battery- starting to get weak and after a steady week of battery tender all is well-really need to buy a second tender due to 2 garages and 2 bikes-sometimes I furgit to take the charge to the SERK from then SECU-

Of course H-D suggests replacement every 2-3 years I believe.

[Fired00d]

Mine will be five years old in July and been on Battery Tender whenever it's parked since day one.

From the Battery Tender FAQ webpage...

What is the expected life of a H-D battery?

Proper care is the key to battery longevity. Laboratory tests have shown that consistent use of any Deltran Battery Tender can add as much as three to four times normal battery life (five to seven years is not unusual). What the lab tests can not prove is how vigilant one is about battery maintenance (if watering is required) and how much shake, rattle, heat, and cold the battery has been subjected.

If it were me, and I had five years of good service out of my battery, I would be hunting for a new one. What would I replace it with? Our theory is "if you have to fill it, forget it." In other words, stay with sealed maintenance free, most of the new maintenance free AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries like the new Harley original equipment batteries are excellent. They never require watering and they come from the Harley dealer fully charged.


 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Gettinold]

Gary I have a question for you. If they made a chrome battery you would have one right.     

[Fired00d]

Gary I have a question for you. If they made a chrome battery you would have one right.     

Why did you have to go there... now you got me thinking.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[RK2000]

I think it is the luck of the draw. I had a 2000 RK that I sold with 71K on the clock and with orginal battery. Never on a tender and it saw about 12k miles a year. The guy that bought it rode it for 2 more years then got nervious and put in a new battery and it failed in a year. Had a 02 Sporty w/ 27k miles and battery failed in 2 years. Have a 05 and 07 with orginal batteries. Some people say to change them every year for just incase. I like to get my money out of them even if they quit on the road. Adds to the adventure.

[Talon]

Like all batteries it depends, has it been on a tender when not in use, temperature where it is stored, and some just last longer than others. If I have a  a concern about a battery, or going on a long trip with an older battery, I take it in and have it checked.

[rmarion]

mine just died yesterday....... 3
years....never used a tender........

time for new........

[AXIL]

  battery tenders are the key, i still like changing my battery every four years. i dont like stressing the electronics.


                                                                                                                       axil

[Indenial]

Had 03 RG and had it on tender if not riding it every week. Then took it to the dealer for them to try to sell and it sat there from Sept 08 to Jan 09 in the showroom and no tender and battery is shot. It will charge enough to start it, but next day it's bad. So keep it on a tender and you should be able to go 5+ years easy.

[BMF-110]

Bought my 1997 Bad-Boy and kept the tender on her religiously, in 2006 I went in to replace it, still acted perfect never had a problem and the techs thought I was messing around with them and said this is on of the longest battery stretch they've seen, man I was a little happy with that. I live in Ohio and kept her packed a-way but my garage was unheated so the temperature stresses were still there and still pushed it that far. Proof is in the pudding!  Battery tenders are the key to battery longevity!!!          And they make cheap birthday/ Christmas presents for your riding associates, the gift that keeps on giving!

[bribe36]

My last bike was a 97 Fat Boy. The original stock battery only lasted two seasons. I replaced it with a cheaper no name battery in 1999 and that battery was strong when I sold the bike last fall. I never used a battery tender. I the winter I took it out and charged it in the spring. It really is luck of the draw with batteries. For my 09 SERG I bought a battery tender. When I'm not riding the bike is hooked up and plugged in. Time will tell if this makes a diffrence.