battery life

We also have a 2010 TG, and I'm kinda doing my own "experiment" if you will with our battery. After every time we ride, I plug the battery back in the tender, no matter what the temperature is outside. I asked the tech's at my local dealer if they think it would extend the life of the battery and they said for sure. It certainly can't hurt it, so we'll see how long it lasts!!:Shrug:
 
Battery's are Mysterious Black boxes, Some will last 7 years, others will only last 2 years:Shrug: But when when they do give up the ghost ,Its usually sudden and away from home.:AGGHH:
 
I just replaced the orig. battery in my 2010 H.D. trike yesterday - still
some life in it but after sitting for about 5 weeks it just barely turned
over - I thought it best to replace now rather than on the road!
:gah:
 
Funny I should see this thread today.

After having my trike sit for a few months due to a combination of bad weather, heavy work schedule, other commitments and at times laziness, I was all ready to take her out today for a nice long ride with the beautiful weather.

Wouldn't you know it,,, the battery is just about dead! She won't even turn over when you press the start button. My little LED volt meter is only showing the first red LED. And I had a 'Battery Tender' hooked up all this time as well. This battery is probably the original and I had intentions of replacing it any way. So,,, what's the BEST battery out there for a GL1800?????
 
Take this suggestion and save yourself some grief. Every three years switch your battery out. Like the gentleman said, some last 2 yrs and some last 7. Nothing is worse than to be on a trip or a ride and have the battery die. And when they die most do not give you a warning. It's not worth the headache to have to worry about it. I usually buy a Harley battery for my Ultra and a Westco, for my "other" bike. (I understand I'm not permitted to mention it on this site)
 
Take this suggestion and save yourself some grief. Every three years switch your battery out. Like the gentleman said, some last 2 yrs and some last 7. Nothing is worse than to be on a trip or a ride and have the battery die. And when they die most do not give you a warning. It's not worth the headache to have to worry about it. I usually buy a Harley battery for my Ultra and a Westco, for my "other" bike. (I understand I'm not permitted to mention it on this site)

Somewhat agree with a 3 year dynamic. Only problem with that is, most of us a busy tryin to squeeze evrything possible out of a dollar.
My Hd mechanic says a good rule of thumbThumbUp, is to test you battery every year or two-if it is not putting out at least 13 volts, time to think about a new one. I have had batteries be fine one day and go out the next, even in warm weather.:D
 
Best way to keep a battery tended is to use it.bozo
That said, I can't believe a battery tender let one die.:gah:
 
Had the same problem last year with my battery tender..I would recommend un plugging them and replugging them back in..I dont trust them anymore..Killed my battery last year but was about to get it recharged and still using the battery alomost 3 years now..
 
Had the same problem last year with my battery tender..I would recommend un plugging them and replugging them back in..I dont trust them anymore..Killed my battery last year but was about to get it recharged and still using the battery alomost 3 years now..

^^^^ This I think sometimes the circuit inside the tender gets stuck, and needs to be re booted by unplugging.
 
I have three Battery Tenders going. One for the battery on the generator, one for the 57 Chevy and the other for the trike. I'll go out to the garage now and unplug all of them, let hem sit for awhile and plug them back in. Thanks for the tip. ThumbUp
 
Ive got tenders on all my bikes. I have them turned on the first week of every month only, but im in a heated space.
 
I'm considering the SHORAI Lithium battery. It's a bit expensive, but it just might be worth it regarding it's supposed longevity and cranking amps. We'll see,,,.

See specs below;

===========================================

Duration Recommendation: LFX27L3-BS12

The LFX Duration recommendation is for those who want the strongest possible cranking performance and lifespan, and don’t mind a slight increase in weight and cost compared to the standard recommendation. Users with extra electrical accessories - like stereo systems used regularly when the vehicle isn’t running - may also choose the duration suggestion. This LFX battery is 6.51 Lbs. lighter than the lead-acid YTX20L-BS.

Specifications
Cranking CCA (A):
405
Weight (grams):
2136.0
Weight (lbs.):
4.71

Why Choose Shorai LFX?

Ultra light. One Fifth the weight of lead-acid batteries on average
Zero sulfation, for longer service life
Holds unloaded charge for one year without maintenance
Military spec Carbon Composite Case
Faster cranking for better starts
Super-fast recharge rate
No explosive gasses during charge, no lead, no acid
Environmentally friendly
Three-Year Warranty!
 
I'm considering the SHORAI Lithium battery. It's a bit expensive, but it just might be worth it regarding it's supposed longevity and cranking amps. We'll see,,,.

See specs below;

===========================================

Duration Recommendation: LFX27L3-BS12

The LFX Duration recommendation is for those who want the strongest possible cranking performance and lifespan, and don’t mind a slight increase in weight and cost compared to the standard recommendation. Users with extra electrical accessories - like stereo systems used regularly when the vehicle isn’t running - may also choose the duration suggestion. This LFX battery is 6.51 Lbs. lighter than the lead-acid YTX20L-BS.




Rich, please let us know if you get one of them gold plated batteries. I have a Stratoliner (yamaha), that is due for a battery-and I am also thinking about one. They cost about 2-3 times more than a lead acid, but the cranking amps and smaller size, and duration, are appealing for sure.
 
I'm considering the SHORAI Lithium battery. It's a bit expensive, but it just might be worth it regarding it's supposed longevity and cranking amps. We'll see,,,.

See specs below;

===========================================

Duration Recommendation: LFX27L3-BS12

The LFX Duration recommendation is for those who want the strongest possible cranking performance and lifespan, and don’t mind a slight increase in weight and cost compared to the standard recommendation. Users with extra electrical accessories - like stereo systems used regularly when the vehicle isn’t running - may also choose the duration suggestion. This LFX battery is 6.51 Lbs. lighter than the lead-acid YTX20L-BS.




Rich, please let us know if you get one of them gold plated batteries. I have a Stratoliner (yamaha), that is due for a battery-and I am also thinking about one. They cost about 2-3 times more than a lead acid, but the cranking amps and smaller size, and duration, are appealing for sure.

I'll let you know if I'm going to order one. I'm going to make some phone calls tomorrow for more information and decide then. Some fellas on the GL1800 forum mentioned that these batteries have problems starting the bikes below 40 degrees. I find that a bit hard to believe. I fully trust the service manager where I've gotten my trikes serviced for the past few years. I'll see what he recommends and his views on the Lithium batteries.
 
Just (November 2012) changed the battery in the '09. If the trike sat for more than a week, it turned over slowly. Don't want to get stuck, so I changed it.
 
Think real hard about the lithium-iom batteries. I have a Sears drill ect set that uses them and they are real sensitive to heat and they like to catch fire. I think Sears no longer sells them. Also lithium-iom are the batteries that have the Boeing Dreamliner grounded!!
 
Think real hard about the lithium-iom batteries. I have a Sears drill ect set that uses them and they are real sensitive to heat and they like to catch fire. I think Sears no longer sells them. Also lithium-iom are the batteries that have the Boeing Dreamliner grounded!!

That was one of the other negative comments about those batteries,,, fires. I'm leaning towards just getting the standard Yuasa battery. That is,, if the battery is my real problem. I'm still going to replace the battery but my Battery Bug says that I still have 84% life left and a full 12 volts. Hopefully, it's just that the terminals need to be cleaned. I'll find out tomorrow.
 
Battery Bug WAS a good product with many good reviews. Recently, they went out of business due to a legal Patent problem which they chose not to fight due to the cost of litigation. Prior to the legal issue, they had upgraded the device with a backlight feature for easier reading. Retail packaging remained the same and there is no way of telling if your purchasing old or new stock until you open the package and hook it up. Other than that, there may still be some available "out there". This explanation is my best understanding, may not be exact, but I believe it's close...
 
Not, starting anything here, But most stock battery's last 3/4 years. Why not just get anther one and be done with it? How many even keep a bike/trike more than 6/8 years.:Shrug:
 
I replace them every 3 years whether they need it or not, I like the piece of mind. Even though any thing could happen. Back when I bought my 06 Ultra the battery failed when it was only 6 months old and on a battery tender, the dealer replaced it under warranty.
 
I mentioned that I'd get back to this post once I decided on a battery.

First of all, my trike is now running. :D

It was the battery. I have no idea how long the old battery was in the bike/trike but I doubt it was the original. It was an 'Auto Craft'. As per my service manager's suggestion, I went with a YUASA high performance GYZ20L. It's a new offering for the Goldwings. Picked it up this morning and just finished installing it.
 
Msocko is absolutely correct. While batteries will and commonly do, last more than three years, it is a gamble that is not worth the reward.

When a Harley battery dies it DIES!
Right here...Right now!

And you could be up :censored: creek without the proverbial paddle especially if you're on a solo run.
If its a dead short in a cell, which is most probable, unless you're on a long steep hill, it will be nearly impossible to bump start it since EFIs require a minimum voltage to fire.

Remember, trikes are heavy, so pushing it fast enough is difficult.

Replacing the battery three years is very cheap insurance and batteries rarely expire before that.

Lithium technology is unproven at best in motorcycles. I like glass mat batteries much better since they rely on proven technology and yet are spill proof.

Of course like everything else, including battery life theories, there are many opinions and you have to form your own.
 

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