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I recently purchased a 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide, one of the latest models featuring a redesigned fairing and the new Infotainment Control Unit (IFCU) digital dash system. As someone who values reliability and performance, I opted to replace the stock lead-acid battery with a lithium-ion battery before embarking on a 10-day trip. Over the years, I’ve tested various lithium-ion batteries and prefer them because they are very lightweight, durable, and efficient.
The First Few Days: Everything Seemed Fine
For the first three days of my trip, the Street Glide performed flawlessly with the new lithium-ion battery. The bike fired up without hesitation, and I had no reason to suspect any issues. However, on the third day, I began to notice that the bike was starting a bit slower than usual—a small concern that I decided to keep an eye on.
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On the fourth morning, the bike started up just fine at the hotel. After a quick stop at Starbucks, though, it refused to start. The battery was completely dead. Thankfully, I had one of our compact jump starter packs from the Law Abiding Biker Store, which saved the day. Without it, I would have been stuck waiting for a tow service—something every biker should try to avoid. A jump start pack is an essential tool that every rider should carry to prevent costly and time-consuming interruptions.
The Ride Continues: Persistent Issues
With my Street Glide jump-started, we set out for a long day of riding. Although the bike started after each stop, it did so a bit slower than usual. Additionally, the battery indicator on the digital dash remained on, signaling that something was still wrong. Despite these issues, we pressed on.
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Later that day, just outside of Greensboro, NC, on a busy multi-lane freeway, my Street Glide suddenly went completely dead—without warning. I lost all power, including the digital dash system, and had to drift to the inside shoulder. Attempting to jump-start the bike again proved futile, as it wouldn’t even power on.
Left behind by my riding group, I quickly contacted them to secure a replacement battery. They managed to find a lead-acid battery and brought it back to my location. Fortunately, I was prepared with my Cruz Tools RTH3 emergency roadside tool kit, also available at the Law Abiding Biker Store. We swapped out the lithium-ion battery for the lead-acid one, and my bike started right up. This preparedness saved us valuable time and allowed us to continue our journey without further delay.
The Aftermath: Investigating the Issue
With the new lead-acid battery installed, the battery trouble indicator disappeared, and I had no further issues for the remainder of the trip. However, the situation left me with many questions. Was the problem caused by the lithium-ion battery? Has something changed in the 2024 models regarding the use of these batteries? And if so, why isn’t this information widely known?
Determined to find answers, I reached out to my connections within Harley-Davidson. After two weeks of communication, I received the following statement:
Harley-Davidson’s Statement:
Lithium batteries are not approved by HD fitment for Revolution Max and center-cooled models due to the unique features of the electrical system and software on those vehicles. We continue to evaluate those systems’ interactions, the changes needed to possibly enable fitment, and consumer demand. Any potential future changes to enable lithium batteries will be communicated to the field and dealer network via fitment updates or service bulletins.
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My Opinion: What Likely Happened
Based on my experience with lithium-ion batteries, here’s my take on what likely happened. Lithium-ion batteries are “smart” and can go into sleep mode if they are drawn down too far. I believe that’s what happened when my Street Glide suddenly went dead on the freeway. The battery likely went into safe mode, cutting off power to the entire bike. While the charging system is fully capable of charging the battery, the new electrical system in the 2024 models—especially with the IFCU digital dash—might have different protections in place.
These protections could allow the main battery to draw down further before it begins recharging, which might explain why a lead-acid battery, which isn’t “smart” and doesn’t go to sleep, worked without issue. Again, this is just my opinion based on what I’ve observed.
Conclusion: Be Prepared and Stay Informed
My experience underscores the importance of being prepared and staying informed about your motorcycle’s components, especially when dealing with new technology. Whether it’s carrying a reliable jump pack or a comprehensive roadside tool kit, being prepared can save you from potentially time consuming and costly situations. As Harley-Davidson continues to evaluate the use of lithium-ion batteries in their newer models, it’s crucial for riders to stay updated wich is why I made this video and wrote this article.
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