Do I have the oldest battery in the club?

[Oss]

It was bought in 2004

Bike starts on 1st tap of the starter. I ride year round bike never sits more than a few weeks during winter

But thinking about just getting the new maintenance free from directline at 57 during the sale

I understand I must charge it before installing. Will it keep uncharged for another year if my present battery keeps chugging along or must I charge it right away and put a tender jr on it every once in a while

I had it load tested a few years back and it tested around 80% but has never failed to start 1st press of the button

[saddlesore]

  I have a 99 standard. I always used a battery tender and I replaced it last year. !2 years old, not bad.  Problem is you keep waiting for it to fail a the most inconvenient time.

[olddog1946]

That's a good question. No one ever buys a battery until their's is shot, lol.
But if you think about it, batteries sit on the shelf for extended periods of time, so having it at home til you need it, then putting in the electrolyte, charging and using when you need it shouldn't be a problem.

I should mention that having a new battery at home means your's will go belly up somewhere around Wyoming.

[Ricky-D]

I have mixed emotions about battery tenders.

If the battery tender have an absolutely correct float charge maintainer I think, that's good and the battery should last pretty much,,, forever.

However if the float charge maintenance is not at the proper voltage level, then damage to the battery is inevitable.

I have two tenders, neither of which is the same and my doubts about the ability of either to correctly maintain a battery is high.

The oldest, a Sears (tapering model), one time did finish off an old battery which came as a big surprise to me.

The newer one, which came from WalMart, I'm not convinced yet but have no definitive opinion. I've got it hooked to my riding mower. Probably will know better in the spring.

Regardless,,, to answer your question, I think it's best to fully complete the charging cycle according to the manufacturer's instruction,,,,prior to putting it on the tender.

Others may have different opinions.

***

[Gryphon Rider]

If I were in your position, I would fully charge and install the new battery and use the old battery for bench-testing electrical components.

[Moonshot_1]

I don't know how old the battery in my bike is. I'm sure there is some kind of marking on it. Had 17k when I got it. Likely the original battery.

Bought the bike used (99 tourer) 6 years ago. So I know it's at least 6 years old. 76k miles now, bikes been down once (hit by tractor on hwy while trying to pass it) so it's been tossed about, I killed the battery dead dead dead no less than 4 times and once dead dead dead dead (switch on for hours, not even a click).

Don't use a battery tender either.

 I would say that, unless I leave the switch on for hours, it starts first time every time but that would be just jinxing it, so I'll not say that at all. In fact, never mind this post at all.  

[bentwrench]

Be careful with old batteries,they can short out and over work your alt. I've seen cars and bikes with low or no charging voltage perk right back up when the shorted batt. was replaced.keeping a batt. more than 5-6 yrs. may not be good idea.
bw

[sandy]

OSS: If you don't currently own a charger, get a CTEK 3300 from Amazon. Much better quality than BT jr. www.CETEK.com

[Chrisj CMA]

I would also look for an alternator source for all youse that keep batteries over 10 years.  Chances are it will fail at the worst possible time (and it will fail), and your alternator is going to pay a price too keeping an old battery alive past its life expectancey.

[Oss]

Thanks everyone

I ordered the battery and a replacement for my battleaxe 200/60/16 tire which that
tire was 143 I think with free shipping

Happy Thanksgiving all of you.

Sandy I do have the tender jr and also the bmw charger

[F6Dave]

I got 9 years out of one Valk battery!

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Took mine out after 10 years and changed it for peace of mind on the long Texas ride a few years ago....That battery is now in my 4 wheeler and starts everytime.

[old2soon]

Brother Oss-i just recently went thru the battery/altenator switch out and curse the people deal. My battery was starting first time every time. When the battery went south it took the alt with it. The alt can be changed on the side of the road-but i'd much rather do it in my shop. And when it goes out-and it will-it won't give a flyin hoot where yer headed and who you is and where it quits.  Well it will wait to go out when yer between lost and found and B.F. Eygpt.  RIDE SAFE.

[fudgie]

Mine started just fine one morning. 30 miles later, nothing. Got jumped and made it home. It went fast. I change mine every 5 yrs, reguardless.

[Hoser]

I have mixed emotions about battery tenders.

If the battery tender have an absolutely correct float charge maintainer I think, that's good and the battery should last pretty much,,, forever.

However if the float charge maintenance is not at the proper voltage level, then damage to the battery is inevitable.

I have two tenders, neither of which is the same and my doubts about the ability of either to correctly maintain a battery is high.

The oldest, a Sears (tapering model), one time did finish off an old battery which came as a big surprise to me.

The newer one, which came from WalMart, I'm not convinced yet but have no definitive opinion. I've got it hooked to my riding mower. Probably will know better in the spring.

Regardless,,, to answer your question, I think it's best to fully complete the charging cycle according to the manufacturer's instruction,,,,prior to putting it on the tender.

Others may have different opinions.

***

I agree with Rickey, my first lasted seven years without battery tender, second 2 years with. The third is still in the bike without. (3 yrs so far)   Hoser

[fudgie]

No tender ever. Never any on the lawn mowers or tractors. They all fire up.

[signart]

I bought my '98 standard in '03. Changed the battery last year (2011) Had a build date on battery '07. I assumed it had a new battery when I puchased it. Never saw a battery of any kind last that long.

[2003Valkyrie]

2003 Valkyrie Standard-------42,000 miles !!!!!!!!   Same battery from day one.

[Toledo Mark]

I had a battery go 10 years.  It was the original and I never pulled or charged it over the Ohio winters.

[Hoser]

I got a new alternator at 90,000 miles, figuring I would need it sooner or later, at 110,000, It's still in the box.     Hoser

[maniscar]

Mine battery is original from '03.  Still starts the bike but, just recently it's taking longer.  Bike stalls too and have restart a couple of times and hold the throttle for a few seconds.  I have a new one I bought from DirectLine 2 years ago but never even opened the box.  I think I'll prep the new one this weekend.

Good point about the alternator.  Never thought about that!   

  Rich

[f6john]

Took mine out after 10 years and changed it for peace of mind on the long Texas ride a few years ago....That battery is now in my 4 wheeler and starts everytime.

   I did exactly the same thing, my original 99 Valkyrie battery is now on my 2003 Honda Rincon.

[signart]

There is a difference between a battery tender and a trickle charger. A good quality b/t will maintain the charge to proper voltage without overcharging, as my 14 yr. old oem battery removed from my '98 in 2011 will testify. Even with that it still amazes me.
Anytime you let a battery discharge below the voltage the battery was designed, for a period of time, you have damaged the battery. It will never recover the optimum charge it had previously. Each time this happens the recovery will be less and less. Even a fully charged battery in good condition, sitting idle for 2 weeks should get a charge for max life.

[SPOFF]

Replaced the OEM battery on my 1997 after 12 years. I would leave it in the bike all winter (6 months, as low as minus 30) and it would start right up in May. I finally replaced it because it was old.

[Black Dog]

I change my battery every 5 years (will buy the third one in spring)...  Not worth putting the alternator through the extra work of charging an old battery.

As to chargers/tenders/minders, I have used  BatteryMINDer (Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator) from Northern Tool, for years.  Each unit can maintain up to 4 batteries, and are currently on sale for under $30.  I use one to maintain the Valk, and the start and trolling batteries for my boat.  I use the other to maintain the 4 Wheelers batteries, along with my garden tractor battery.

More info here -

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

Black Dog

[Tundra]

The stock battery was still in my bike when I bought it. It last over 8 years. The replacement last only 5 years. Now back to OEM, 3 batteries in a 14 year old bike.

[Jack B]

My OEM battery from my 98 Tourer isin my lawn tractor with a snow blower on it. Hope it makes it though this winter.

[DarkSideR]

I inherited my 2001 Valk from my father who was the original owner. He swears it still has the original battery in it. Bike has 37k. Battery is tended in the winter (in Colorado).

After reading this post, I am now wondering if I have the oldest batter around.

Think I going to pull a Thelma & Louise and see how far I can go...