Battery question : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

IndianaSteve · 06-01-2007, 01:10 PM

I bought a new VRSCA in 2003. It had been built in 10/02 and was one of the bikes the dealer had added parts to as a showpiece on the floor. It looked really nice.

About a week after I got it home, the battery was dead. The dealer came to pick it up and about 3 days later I got it back. They said they couldn't find any reason for the battery to have died. They put in a new one and charged it up. I bought a Battery Tender Jr. and used it regularly after that.

A few months later the battery died while the bike was parked at my office for the afternoon. HOG Roadside Assistance paid for the 'tow' back to my house (the dealer was closed by that time of day) and I charged the battery back up with the Battery Tender Jr. A little while after that the battery was dead again so when I took it in for the 1000 mile service, they replaced the battery - that would be the 3rd one in this bike - and again looked for a reason for battery failure.

I sold the bike and the new owner picked it up from the dealer after the 1000 mile service. Since that time he has replaced the battery at least once - that would be 4 batteries. He says the bike is always dead every time he goes to start it even though he keeps it on a trickle charger. This is his first H-D and he is pretty disgusted with this and some of the other 'features' of the early V-Rods.

Since I sold the bike when I bought my '06 Road Glide in 2005, I haven't tried to keep up with any ongoing issues with the early model V-Rods. So my question is this: has there been any recalls, service bulletins, updated software, new charging system, or anything that would improve the battery life in the V-Rods?

Thanks.

Tel · 06-02-2007, 05:48 PM

Prior to the 06 models, the batteries fitted were considered to be undersized. I have an 06 and because the battery is IMHO still on the small side I keep it on a Battery Tender when not using the bike.

c1c9 · 06-03-2007, 08:33 AM

I am having the same battery problem with my 2006 VRSCA.

The dealer charged me $50 to check out my charging system while my bike was in for a BIG BORE kit in January - March 2007. They told me that nothing was wrong.

Just before Myrtle Beach (May 11) the bike experienced starting problems again. It started but I stalled it. When I tried to restart it I got the dead battery sound from the starter.

I had driven the bike 5 days before the starting problem.

The dealer tells me that I have to have the bike on the tender if I am not going to drive it for two days.

After talking with H-D at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, I decided to contact Customer Service at Corporate. The CS Representative that I talked to said that the bike should start and that he would contact the dealer to give them some assistance with this problem.

V-ROD 1 FL · 06-04-2007, 12:02 PM

I have had a 2002 V-Rod since it was new and only replaced the battery 1 time BECAUSE it was over 3 years old and I thoght I was operating on borrowed time before a no start problem occured. When I replaced the battery wi the new one I mad sure the connections were clean and were lubed with the electrical grease I also made sure that ALL of the grounds were tight and clean as well. When I started up the bike for the first time there was a noticible difference in the brightness of the displays and in my assessment the performance.

I also have been using a Battery Tender Plus --on both batteries and would strongly recommend that it be considered for all users.

Dealers should be able to test the whole electrical system including the grounds with their diagnostic tools. You do need a knowledgeable technician though.

Regards

badluck1 · 07-30-2007, 12:03 AM

I bought my bike in Oct '02 and I still have the original battery. 21,000 miles. I always put in on the battery tender when parked.

Ultra89Rider · 12-20-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badluck1

I bought my bike in Oct '02 and I still have the original battery. 21,000 miles. I always put in on the battery tender when parked.

Don't ride much, do you?

Or do you have another one?

c1c9 · 01-06-2008, 02:41 PM

My bike is in for new tires and other work at another H-D Dealer. I went to a PA dealer instead of staying in MD.

This dealer was able to identify the battery problem. Seems that the battery cannot recover from starting the bike or hold a charge. The battery is being replaced under warranty.

c1c9 · 01-12-2008, 10:10 PM

Try this Thunderstart battery upgrade at MC Advantages. It has 280 CCA, more than a stock H-D V-Rod Battery.

http://www.mcadvantages.com/index.cf...productid=5499

NightStar · 01-15-2008, 07:53 PM

The security system and clocks draw a lot of power from the battery apparently, at least enough to kill it in 3 days.

hamyoo06 · 01-16-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightStar

The security system and clocks draw a lot of power from the battery apparently, at least enough to kill it in 3 days.

That sounds crazy! I have a 2005 Softail. I have gone 8 to 10 weeks at times without starting it. And when I did, it spun up like a raped ape. I have the security system as well. No way should that drain your battery. In fact, after 20 days (which is adjustable), it goes into storage mode, and the alarm (and the little blinking lite) takes a nap, drawing no additional power.

hamyoo06 · 01-16-2008, 01:09 PM

Dont' just replace the battery. There is a problem (short?). Try to get it accurately diagnosed.