Harley Battery Drains When Traveling

[MartyMoose]

My battery always drains during a long trip ( 800 + miles ). I've tried leaving my key fob on the bike so the alarm isn't flashing the lights due to the movement.
The only thing that works is to pull the main fuse ( which is kind of a pain ).
My buddy's bike does the same thing.

Weird.... does anyone else experience this? Any other options besides pulling the main fuse?

Thanks

[1L243]

I have never had a dead battery when hauling my 2009 Harley. I started hauling it with the key fob but now haul in Transport mode all the time. I even posted a print out of the Transport mode procedure and taped it o the cabinet above the bike!
I would check your battery even a little drain can cause a failure on a defective battery. And second I would haul in Transport mode.

[Dirtclods]

Here ya go:

https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/how-to-put-your-harley-davidson-moto...


Have you ever trailered your Harley-Davidson® a long distance, only to discover that- somehow- your battery died on you? Believe it or not, it actually happens more often than you'd think- and here's why:
If you've got a Harley-Davidson equipped with a security system, your motorcycle's motion sensors are going to trigger the alarm when it senses that it's being moved. After 600 miles or so in the back of that trailer, all those blinking lights will have run your battery dry.
Luckily, there's a solution.
Your Harley has a feature called Transport Mode, which disables the motion detection sensors linked to your motorcycle's alarm system. This way, your bike won't sense that it's moving and, therefor, won't panic when it thinks it's being kidnapped.

Remember that- although you've disabled your motion sensors- your security system is still active. So other activity, such as attempting to start the engine with your fob out of range will still trigger your alarm.
So, let's get right down to it. Here's how to put your Harley-Davidson in transport mode so your bike will be ready to ride when you are.
2014 models and newer:
With an assigned fob within range, turn the ignition switch to IGNITION.
Before the security system lamp goes out, turn the ignition switch to OFF.
Within three seconds, simultaneously press both the left and the right turn signal switches.
The turn signals will flash once, and the system enters transport mode.
Remove the fob- your motorcycle can now be moved without triggering the alarm.
To exit transport mode, make sure your assigned fob is within range, and turn your bike’s ignition switch back to IGNITION. Now you're ready to ride.


*Note that activating transport mode on CVO models and models 2013 and older will be a little different. Check out the video tutorials below for step-by-step instructions.
CVO models-2014 and newer:
*This information is accurate for Harley-Davidson CVO Models 2014-2018

2013 models and older:

If you have any additional questions regarding transport mode and your particular Harley-Davidson model, refer to your owners manual.

[2chiefsRus]

slapshot12 wrote:

Itried wrote:
Harleys security system(motion sensor)will still be active even with the FOB present, draining the battery. You will want to find the procedure for your year Harley to place it in Transport mode.

What he said.....the security system is probably going off the entire time you’re driving.

x3 - check your manual - transport mode

[slapshot12]

Itried wrote:
Harleys security system(motion sensor)will still be active even with the FOB present, draining the battery. You will want to find the procedure for your year Harley to place it in Transport mode.

What he said.....the security system is probably going off the entire time you’re driving.

[EV2]

azdryheat wrote:
I pulled my Harley from AZ to FL and back (and other long trips) and never had a battery issue. Could it be your battery?

Your 2011 does not apply. As was stated prior, the manual enlightens transport mode for this very reason.

[steelhunter]

MartyMoose wrote:
My battery always drains during a long trip ( 800 + miles ). I've tried leaving my key fob on the bike so the alarm isn't flashing the lights due to the movement.
The only thing that works is to pull the main fuse ( which is kind of a pain ).
My buddy's bike does the same thing.

Weird.... does anyone else experience this? Any other options besides pulling the main fuse?

Thanks

Riding or trailering?

[GottaRunGottaCa]

fj12ryder wrote:
Do you have to cross your eyes and wiggle your eyebrows while you do that? 🙂

If it don't work the first time LOL

[azdryheat]

I pulled my Harley from AZ to FL and back (and other long trips) and never had a battery issue. Could it be your battery?

[fj12ryder]

Do you have to cross your eyes and wiggle your eyebrows while you do that? 🙂

[GottaRunGottaCa]

MartyMoose wrote:
Thanks for the info.
Will check it out. It has to be much easier than pulling the main fuse.

I found this out the hard way, look at your owners manual and follow the procedure for Transport mode.
Mine is a 2015 CVO roadglide ultra, you have to turn on the ignition then immediately turn off, then press both turn signals at the same time until the turn signals flash three times, done deal your are ready to go, yours might be different.
:C

[MartyMoose]

Thanks for the info.
Will check it out. It has to be much easier than pulling the main fuse.

[CampinginCanada]

It explains how to put it in transport mode in the owners manual.

[Itried]

Harleys security system(motion sensor)will still be active even with the FOB present, draining the battery. You will want to find the procedure for your year Harley to place it in Transport mode.

[fj12ryder]

How many hours/days are we talking here? It would drain down in a couple days? How old is the bike and battery? Have you checked for where the parasitic drain is coming from? Maybe you aren't riding it long enough for the battery to charge back up.