Battery Question

kawahog · 05-07-2009, 11:52 PM

I have an '05 Nomad that still has the original battery. It still seems strong but I don't want to get stranded somewhere with a dead battery. Will these batteries give a warning before dying or will you just go to crank it one day and nothing? I don't know what the life span is on these original batteries. Do you think I need to go ahead and replace it? Also, do you guys use the regular type battery or a gel battery?
Thanks

cactusjack · 05-08-2009, 12:01 AM

If that's the original battery, it's 4 years old and has probably done its job. You could just come out to start it one day and it will have crapped out.

I've not had to replace my battery yet, so i can't recommend a replacement. I'm sure someone will be along that can, though.

**schoeney** · 05-08-2009, 05:48 AM

I have a 2003 with the original battery (only 8500 miles). I use a battery tender so that is supposed to extend battery life. Hard to say how long they will last. A buddy has 5 bikes now and has had many over the years. He is a motorcycle mechanic and claims he has had batteries last for 10+ years on occasion.

I don't know how long to wait either. In the interim I make sure I don't ride solo outside of cell phone range.

waterman · 05-08-2009, 07:01 AM

I generally think of replacing around 4 years. I have never heard of a 10+ year life of a battery. Can't say it doesn't happen but it is rare.

caddman11 · 05-08-2009, 07:22 AM

I've had batterys in both my HD's last 8 years, I do use a battery tender. I guess we'll have to see how long the Nomad battery lasts.

ells · 05-08-2009, 07:27 AM

Original lasted 8 1/2 years on my VN800 with no tender. Yet to replace my '05 Nomad's. A good load test should reveal its health. MacMac will probably be along with the numbers -- shouldn't drop below 10.4V when cranking if I recall, or was it 9.6V?

chainsaw · 05-08-2009, 08:17 AM

What they all said. I like a gel battery because I don't have to mess with checking the water level or worry about it. I too use a battery tender.

**ringadingh** · 05-08-2009, 08:45 AM

I still have the original battery in my 02, but I wouldn't be surprised if it needs replacing within the next couple months. It starts the bike, but I don't think it has very much cranking power left in it for the times when you need it to.

dabull · 05-08-2009, 09:27 AM

i have an 05 too and my battery was giving me a few signs (trip odo zero out, clock reset, hesitation when i hit start button, etc) . Heres the one i purchased after reading about batteries here on the forums: http://www.batterymart.com/c-kawasak...c-battery.html , MANY folks here recommended the 18aH battery...hope this helps...

Derry

**ringadingh** · 05-08-2009, 09:32 AM

Thanks for sharing the link, thats a much better price than here in Canada. I looked at some last weekend and they were $159.00 for a 16ah battery. I hope they last as long as the original ones.

coldfingers · 05-08-2009, 09:42 AM

I have been replacing my batteries every four years. I have seen three year old batteries die on the road. Peace of mind I guess.

Scoot · 05-08-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBull

i have an 05 too and my battery was giving me a few signs (trip odo zero out, clock reset, hesitation when i hit start button, etc) . Heres the one i purchased after reading about batteries here on the forums: http://www.batterymart.com/c-kawasak...c-battery.html , MANY folks here recommended the 18aH battery...hope this helps...

Derry

Yep that's where I got mine. 18amp

Yellow Jacket · 05-08-2009, 10:48 AM

I use a Schumacher batter tender I got from Wallly World for under $20. Whenever the bike is parked the tender is plugged in.

For peace of mind on the road I carry a set of jumper cables in the saddle bag. Never had to use them yet.

blowndodge · 05-08-2009, 10:55 AM

My battery is a little over 3 years old but is always hook up to the tender when not ridden (SO IT'S HOOK UP ALL THE TIME! I KNOW I KNOW!!!) for the Scotts and Toods of the world!!

So far it still performs fine.

moenko · 05-09-2009, 07:16 AM

Also have a 2005, keep it on the Battery Tender junior at all times when not in use and never had the slightest problem. Batteries like to be fully charged at all times, especially wet-cell.

I think I will change it for next season, though, not a huge investment for peace of mind.

05-07-2009, 11:52 PM	#1
kawahog Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 43	Battery Question I have an '05 Nomad that still has the original battery. It still seems strong but I don't want to get stranded somewhere with a dead battery. Will these batteries give a warning before dying or will you just go to crank it one day and nothing? I don't know what the life span is on these original batteries. Do you think I need to go ahead and replace it? Also, do you guys use the regular type battery or a gel battery? Thanks Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-08-2009, 12:01 AM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Battery Question If that's the original battery, it's 4 years old and has probably done its job. You could just come out to start it one day and it will have crapped out. I've not had to replace my battery yet, so i can't recommend a replacement. I'm sure someone will be along that can, though. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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05-08-2009, 05:48 AM	#3
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Battery Question I have a 2003 with the original battery (only 8500 miles). I use a battery tender so that is supposed to extend battery life. Hard to say how long they will last. A buddy has 5 bikes now and has had many over the years. He is a motorcycle mechanic and claims he has had batteries last for 10+ years on occasion. I don't know how long to wait either. In the interim I make sure I don't ride solo outside of cell phone range. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
	0

05-08-2009, 07:01 AM	#4
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	Battery Question I generally think of replacing around 4 years. I have never heard of a 10+ year life of a battery. Can't say it doesn't happen but it is rare. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
	0

05-08-2009, 07:22 AM	#5
caddman11 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 890	Battery Question I've had batterys in both my HD's last 8 years, I do use a battery tender. I guess we'll have to see how long the Nomad battery lasts. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-08-2009, 07:27 AM	#6
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	Battery Question Original lasted 8 1/2 years on my VN800 with no tender. Yet to replace my '05 Nomad's. A good load test should reveal its health. MacMac will probably be along with the numbers -- shouldn't drop below 10.4V when cranking if I recall, or was it 9.6V?
	0

05-08-2009, 08:17 AM	#7
chainsaw Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,732	Battery Question What they all said. I like a gel battery because I don't have to mess with checking the water level or worry about it. I too use a battery tender.
	0

05-08-2009, 08:45 AM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Battery Question I still have the original battery in my 02, but I wouldn't be surprised if it needs replacing within the next couple months. It starts the bike, but I don't think it has very much cranking power left in it for the times when you need it to. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

05-08-2009, 09:27 AM	#9
dabull Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,409	Battery Question i have an 05 too and my battery was giving me a few signs (trip odo zero out, clock reset, hesitation when i hit start button, etc) . Heres the one i purchased after reading about batteries here on the forums: http://www.batterymart.com/c-kawasak...c-battery.html , MANY folks here recommended the 18aH battery...hope this helps... Derry
	0

05-08-2009, 09:32 AM	#10
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Battery Question Thanks for sharing the link, thats a much better price than here in Canada. I looked at some last weekend and they were $159.00 for a 16ah battery. I hope they last as long as the original ones. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

05-08-2009, 09:42 AM	#11
coldfingers Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warren, MN. Posts: 166	Battery Question I have been replacing my batteries every four years. I have seen three year old batteries die on the road. Peace of mind I guess.
	0

05-08-2009, 10:48 AM	#13
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Battery Question I use a Schumacher batter tender I got from Wallly World for under $20. Whenever the bike is parked the tender is plugged in. For peace of mind on the road I carry a set of jumper cables in the saddle bag. Never had to use them yet. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
	0

05-08-2009, 10:55 AM	#14
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Battery Question My battery is a little over 3 years old but is always hook up to the tender when not ridden (SO IT'S HOOK UP ALL THE TIME! I KNOW I KNOW!!!) for the Scotts and Toods of the world!! So far it still performs fine. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

05-09-2009, 07:16 AM	#15
moenko Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Suffield, CT Posts: 477	Battery Question Also have a 2005, keep it on the Battery Tender junior at all times when not in use and never had the slightest problem. Batteries like to be fully charged at all times, especially wet-cell. I think I will change it for next season, though, not a huge investment for peace of mind.
	0

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