New Battery

Does anyone have recommendations on when to replace the battery?? I ride an 03 Road King and have removed the battery to do some work on my bike. My guess is its about 2.5 years old.

Any suggestions on where to (or not to) shop for bike batteries?
Thanks Ed

I have owned 4 different Harley's and have never changed out a battery. I rode a 1998 Fatboy (with 32,000 miles) and the battery was the original when I sold it in 2004. I live in an area that gets alot of cold and snow, where riding is limited to the spring and summer months. The key to getting the most out of a battery is to put a trickle charger on the battery when you don't plan on driving it for more than about 3 weeks. Ride Safe, David.

I had to replace the battery in my 2002 Heritage after two years, but I did not keep it charged during the winter months. It started to crank a little slow so I replaced it rather than take a chance on the bike not starting. I now use a battery tender. Well worth the $40 bucks or so I spent for it. I have the leads on the battery so I don't have to remove the seat when I get back from riding to hook it up. I don't know how long my current battery will last, it has two years on it now. Good luck.
Tnicean

Good idea about the trickle charger...any recommendations on a good maker for one?

I think I won't have to worry too much about ALOT of down time due to weather, my main killer of ride time is work!

scoot

I was on my way to the Harley Dealer to pick up 2 battery tenders. I had to stop at Wal-Mart on the way. I found some black and decker ones there. They are cool cuz they have 1 and 2 amp settings. I think I paid almost 18 bucks for them. Half what I would of paid at the dealer.

But do they float the charge current just below gassing? A battery tender is not a charger per se rather it is designed to maintain a battery in it's fully charged state. Sounds funky but it is true. Make sure that the ones you bought will float to prevent over charging and out gassing.
http://www.batterytender.com/

A lot of people don't realize this, and I didn't until it happened to a good friend of mine....

Fuel injected bikes have a constant draw on the battery due to system checks on the computer. Therefore, if you are not riding it to charge you will bleed your battery down much faster than a comparable carb equipped bike.

My bike is now about 5 years old and starts great yet...even at 10.5 compression. I ride very regular from April through November which keeps the battery full; and for the winter she stays on a trickle charger.

thanks for the advice CD... I'll find the box they came in. I know they click on and off occasionally which led me to think they are charging as needed because it happens at random.