9 1/2 Year Old Battery Still Going Strong

[vic]

A couple of weeks ago, the Deka battery in my Goldwing failed to turn over.  I knew it had been in the Wing for quite a while but being as anal about maintenance as I am, the battery just kind of slipped under my radar.  I also had a Deka battery in my '98 Tourer and I had installed both batteries in the bikes myself, at the same time....figuring it had been maybe 4-5 years at the most.  When I checked my service records and receipt, I was VERY IMPRESSED!.  The batteries were actually 9 1/2 years old...having been put into service in March 2004.  Although the one in the Goldwing was shot, the battery in the Valk was still going strong but I didn't want to press my luck so I just replaced both batteries with Yuasas.  I guess I can credit their long life to the fact that the batteries are always on a charger at home without fail.  I use the "xtreme charge" battery charger which was originally made to military specs and claims to "dramatically extend" battery life.  I'd say 9 1/2 years is quite "dramatic".  The old Deka battery from my Tourer is in the box waiting for me to take it to a recycler.  Just for kicks, I tested the voltage on it this morning.  It read 12.96 volts.   Not bad at all!!  Hope the Yuasas I replaced them with will be as reliable. 

[Jess from VA]

Same results from Battery Tenders.... Jr. and Plus. (24 X 7 when off the bike, except for a few trips)

After 9 years or so, I was not starting in 1-2 seconds, but 4-5 seconds, so I replaced it.  Think my other one is at about 8-9 years now. 

[Hoser]

I'm on my third battery and the original alternator after eleven years and 121,000 miles.  The secret is heated garage and riding it year round. Nine sets of tires, though.    Hoser   

[Moonshot_1]

I am just replacing the battery in my 99 Tourer this week. Got a guy doing a few things and he'll drop a new one in for me. Blew a throttle return cable and my starter switch had a couple wires come loose so replacing the whole shebang and shock bushings to boot.

Anyway, the battery.

I've had the Tourer since 07. Six years now. I have not replaced the battery in that time.
When I got the bike it had 17k on it. I can't imagine the previous owners put a new one in either. The bike was obviously kept in a garage and well maintained before I got it.

Since I've had it, I've killed the thing at least 3 times. (Key on, light on bright, 8 hour shift.)
I jump it or put it on a trickle charger and it comes back from the dead.

I've beat it to near death a number of times.

I've never had it on a battery tender. Other than the times I killed it, I've never had it on a charger of any kind.

I don't store the bike as I try to ride it all year. Right now I'm at 31 months in a row I've ridden the bike at least once during the month. This is a ride at least to where I work and back. 4 miles.
This is NW Iowa. So yeah, this is a little remarkable.  Ridding in Dec. in a Santa suit rocks by the way!

So if this indeed is the original battery, it's going on 14+ years now.

Technically I'm not replacing my old battery, its just going to retire and hang around the garage.

[cookiedough]

lucky to get 5-6 years on any battery even Yuasa, but I don't drive year round and no battery tender.  The cheaper batteries, unlike Yuasa, go out in 3-4 years tops.

Just replaced Yuasa this spring after 5 seasons.

[JetDriver]

I'm at 7 1/2 years on my Yuasa.  Did a load test on it about 3 months ago, and it did great.  Routinely shows an open charge of 13v.

[fudgie]

I'm at 7 1/2 years on my Yuasa.  Did a load test on it about 3 months ago, and it did great.  Routinely shows an open charge of 13v.

How do you do a load test?

[Regis]

I'm at 7 1/2 years on my Yuasa.  Did a load test on it about 3 months ago, and it did great.  Routinely shows an open charge of 13v.

How do you do a load test?

Not being a smartass ! you use a loadtester . Basically a meter and a big resistor coil that heats up under load . You can get them at napa . Good for finding a bad battery in a set of batteries wired in series . I use 1 all the time . I'm on my second battery in 16 years . 1st one lasted over 9 , current 1 is an Interstate brand .

[Jack B]

My 1998 Tourer battery is in my lawn tractor it is used very little but it the winter I have a battery tender so it will start for snow blowing.

[Bone]

Did a Google search and look who has a Load Tester.

OTC 100 Amp Battery Load Tester
$39.28 - Walmart

[alph]

I replaced my battery last spring, called Yuasa and gave them the date code, they said the battery was made in '99, meaning my battery was 13 years old!!  it was the original battery!!  it was a no brainer that I bought a Yuasa to replace the old one!!!  hope I get 13 years out of this new one!