What's the average life of a battery?

[majicmaker]

My 4 year old battery still seems to be working fine, despite my bike being shut off usually November through March. I don't put a tender on it, but connect it to a slow charger about once a month for several hours, then start it up and let the bike idle for a while.

I really thought I'd just replace it this winter, but I think I'll see if it will still work in the spring. I just did an overnighter this weekend (thank you, heated gear), and bike fired right up in 28 degree temps in the morning.

Hopefully this winter won't do it in because my first rides usually involve sub-freezing overnight temps and getting stranded would not be fun....

I think maybe the different environment has something to do with it. I use it everyday. No winter hibernation in Florida and its crazy hot in the summer. My top of the line Sears Diehards die in 18 months in my Explorer. Thank God for the warranties!

Nope, that's a bunch of malarky. My original OEM battery on my first FJR which was ridden daily and in the heat of Arizona lasted a couple months shy of 7 years. And even then, I didn't need to replace it and mistakenly diagnosed my issues due to the old battery when they were actually the beginning signs of my starter going bad.

I think daily use HELPs extend a battery's life.

I'm hoping it was me leaving the key in the on position during brunch. Please God don't let it be the starter dying. Tender green light is still blinking. I'll top it off all night and hope it was my fault. Fingers crossed! From what I've read about swapping starters, I'm not looking forward to that!

 

[Patriot]

you can "jump fix" a battery by jolting it for a few seconds with a car charger on car amps charge. I find those AGM's(Absorption Glass Mat) sealed batteries either work, or an internal short suddenlys kills them all together. I'm one to replace mine, needed or not, at 3 years.

(I ride 25k miles a year...retired so no commuting or daily rider)

I was a Westco fan, but my confidence has wained and I'll go with Motobatt next time.

 

[majicmaker]

you can "jump fix" a battery by jolting it for a few seconds with a car charger on car amps charge. I find those AGM's(Absorption Glass Mat) sealed batteries either work, or an internal short suddenlys kills them all together. I'm one to replace mine, needed or not, at 3 years.

(I ride 25k miles a year...retired so no commuting or daily rider)

I was a Westco fan, but my confidence has wained and I'll go with Motobatt next time.

I'm starting to think that 3 years is a good time to toss it. It's worth it. Dying on you at the worst possible time is not my cup of tea! The only time my bike just died on me was the ignition switch. Thank God it was only the length of 2 football fields from my driveway.

 

[RacinRay]

My 2002 Honda VTX still has the original battery (30K mi.). I put it on a tender when ever it is in the garage. Living here in the cold northeast, the bike usually sits unused from December until April.

My 2006 FJR also has the original battery at 50K miles. I also use a battery tender on this bike but I keep it running all year long.

 

[Patriot]

you can "jump fix" a battery by jolting it for a few seconds with a car charger on car amps charge. I find those AGM's(Absorption Glass Mat) sealed batteries either work, or an internal short suddenlys kills them all together. I'm one to replace mine, needed or not, at 3 years.

(I ride 25k miles a year...retired so no commuting or daily rider)

I was a Westco fan, but my confidence has wained and I'll go with Motobatt next time.

I'm starting to think that 3 years is a good time to toss it. It's worth it. Dying on you at the worst possible time is not my cup of tea! The only time my bike just died on me was the ignition switch. Thank God it was only the length of 2 football fields from my driveway.

absolutely...that is just to get you a bit more use while your mail order battery is being shipped...course, nothing wrong with a locally purchased Yuasa AGM

 

[majicmaker]

you can "jump fix" a battery by jolting it for a few seconds with a car charger on car amps charge. I find those AGM's(Absorption Glass Mat) sealed batteries either work, or an internal short suddenlys kills them all together. I'm one to replace mine, needed or not, at 3 years.

(I ride 25k miles a year...retired so no commuting or daily rider)

I was a Westco fan, but my confidence has wained and I'll go with Motobatt next time.

I'm starting to think that 3 years is a good time to toss it. It's worth it. Dying on you at the worst possible time is not my cup of tea! The only time my bike just died on me was the ignition switch. Thank God it was only the length of 2 football fields from my driveway.

absolutely...that is just to get you a bit more use while your mail order battery is being shipped...course, nothing wrong with a locally purchased Yuasa AGM

Nope! Nothing wrong with that at all. I get all my batteries locally. It's the right thing to do!

 

[Patriot]

you can "jump fix" a battery by jolting it for a few seconds with a car charger on car amps charge. I find those AGM's(Absorption Glass Mat) sealed batteries either work, or an internal short suddenlys kills them all together. I'm one to replace mine, needed or not, at 3 years.

(I ride 25k miles a year...retired so no commuting or daily rider)

I was a Westco fan, but my confidence has wained and I'll go with Motobatt next time.

I'm starting to think that 3 years is a good time to toss it. It's worth it. Dying on you at the worst possible time is not my cup of tea! The only time my bike just died on me was the ignition switch. Thank God it was only the length of 2 football fields from my driveway.

absolutely...that is just to get you a bit more use while your mail order battery is being shipped...course, nothing wrong with a locally purchased Yuasa AGM

Nope! Nothing wrong with that at all. I get all my batteries locally. It's the right thing to do!

agree...but I don't receive your six figure income

 

[majicmaker]

My 2002 Honda VTX still has the original battery (30K mi.). I put it on a tender when ever it is in the garage. Living here in the cold northeast, the bike usually sits unused from December until April.

My 2006 FJR also has the original battery at 50K miles. I also use a battery tender on this bike but I keep it running all year long.

Nice longevity on the batteries Ray! I'm from NY originally. But, if I never see another snow flake for the rest of my life. I'll be OK with that! :lol:

 

[majicmaker]

agree...but I don't receive your six figure income

Yeah but, it's not all its cracked up to be. More income leads to more toys and more partying and more women you have to deal with and more and more which leads to more bills. It's a white elephant that you have to feed. I'd like to get 10 acres in Arkansas and sit on the porch and whittle. Still want the women but, they'd better be OK with me sitting around all day doing nothing! One Day!

 

[RossKean]

Almost six years and 85,000 miles on the OEM battery on my '07 (75,000 in the last three years). No issues so far and I won't replace it until I have a problem. It has gone flat 3 times due to leaving the ignition on but has recovered each time with a slow charge (I've been lucky). I never use a tender. I disconnect it in the winter and do a top-up charge maybe twice over the 4 months the bike is off the road. I hope to get at least another year out of it.

Ross

 

[beemerdons]

agree...but I don't receive your six figure income

Yeah but, it's not all its cracked up to be. More income leads to more toys and more partying and more women you have to deal with and more and more which leads to more bills. It's a white elephant that you have to feed. I'd like to get 10 acres in Arkansas and sit on the porch and whittle. Still want the women but, they'd better be OK with me sitting around all day doing nothing! One Day!

On Topic: I am with Patriot, I was a Westco battery fan but I too have moved to MotoBatt for the Beemers and the FJR.

Hey Vic, if you are really moving to Arkansas let me give you a sure fire pick up line that is guaranteed to always work with the Arkansas Ladies.

The nicest compliment that you can ever give a girl from Arkansas is this one: "Nice Tooth!" jes' sayin' and nuff' said!

 

[majicmaker]

Hey Vic, if you are really moving to Arkansas let me give you a sure fire pick up line that is guaranteed to always work with the Arkansas Ladies.

The nicest compliment that you can ever give a girl from Arkansas is this one: "Nice Tooth!" jes' sayin' and nuff' said!

Damn Don! That's cold blooded! :lol: Should I rethink the whole Arkansas thing? I did see some cuties in the mountains of western NC. They had all there teeth too!

 

[majicmaker]

Almost six years and 85,000 miles on the OEM battery on my '07 (75,000 in the last three years). No issues so far and I won't replace it until I have a problem. It has gone flat 3 times due to leaving the ignition on but has recovered each time with a slow charge (I've been lucky). I never use a tender. I disconnect it in the winter and do a top-up charge maybe twice over the 4 months the bike is off the road. I hope to get at least another year out of it.

Ross

Ross, what the hell?! You must be one of those Battery Whisperer guys!

 

[majicmaker]

Ok Guys! It must have been me leaving the key on during brunch. After a full overnight charge, all looks good.

 

[SkooterG]

Ok Guys! It must have been me leaving the key on during brunch. After a full overnight charge, all looks good.

Glad to hear. But that leaving **** on is hell on batteries. Don't do that anymore ya dipwad, mmm-k?

 

[Redfish Hunter]

agree...but I don't receive your six figure income

Yeah but, it's not all its cracked up to be. More income leads to more toys and more partying and more women you have to deal with and more and more which leads to more bills. It's a white elephant that you have to feed. Still want the women but, they'd better be OK with me sitting around all day doing nothing! One Day!

Let me give you an Amen and a Hallelujah! I have spent most of my money on boats, guns, motorcycles and pretty women. The rest I just wasted.

Now, that elephant I feed sleeps in the bed next to me.

 

[Chuck35]

Yeah but, it's not all its cracked up to be. More income leads to more toys and more partying and more women you have to deal with and more and more which leads to more bills. It's a white elephant that you have to feed. I'd like to get 10 acres in Arkansas and sit on the porch and whittle. Still want the women but, they'd better be OK with me sitting around all day doing nothing! One Day!

I wouldn't offer this to just anyone...If you would like to come sit on my porch and whittle, I'll partay with the ho's on your dime.

 

[majicmaker]

Ok Guys! It must have been me leaving the key on during brunch. After a full overnight charge, all looks good.

Glad to hear. But that leaving **** on is hell on batteries. Don't do that anymore ya dipwad, mmm-k?

Yes Sir! I'll never do that again! I swear! :lol:

 

[majicmaker]

Let me give you an Amen and a Hallelujah! I have spent most of my money on boats, guns, motorcycles and pretty women. The rest I just wasted.

Now, that elephant I feed sleeps in the bed next to me.

It's Hell isn't it Redfish?! Problem is, those women just keep making me come back for more and more! It's Majic I tell Ya!

 

[majicmaker]

I wouldn't offer this to just anyone...If you would like to come sit on my porch and whittle, I'll partay with the ho's on your dime.

Chuck! That's the nicest offer I've heard in years. You are such a giver! Glad you got my back.