Issues with Harley Davidson Battery Warranty and Customer Experience Background I purchased a 2024 R...

Issues with Harley Davidson Battery Warranty and Customer Experience Background I purchased a 2024 Road Glide from Gainesville Harley Davidson on March 7, 2025, and received a two-year warranty with the motorcycle. Approximately six months ago, about five months after the purchase, the bike began experiencing starter motor problems. At times, the starter did not spin the clutch basket, even though it was actuated. Occasionally, the starter motor would drag during the start-up sequence. These symptoms suggested a battery issue. Battery Assessment and Expertise Given that the bike was a 2024 model, it was unclear how long it had been sitting before purchase and how many times the battery might have been drained. Batteries that are drained multiple times lose their ability to charge effectively. With a degree in Electronic Technology, 24 years of experience in electronic warfare, and a background in writing modification procedures for weapons systems integration in the F-15, I am confident in my ability to diagnose battery faults. Battery Testing Process I checked the battery voltage several times, consistently reading 12.6 VDC. The charging gauge indicated that the battery was being charged. I removed the battery and took it to Harley Davidson Macon Georgia for testing. Their process involved running the battery on a tester for three hours, using software-driven hardware to simulate various loads and interpret charge and drain times. My battery required four hours for testing, likely due to a marginal parameter that prompted the algorithm to repeat certain tests. After several hours and with the battery warmed, it eventually passed the test on the second attempt, though I suspect the battery barely passed. My experience includes writing software programs to test multilayer circuit boards for military aircraft, so I am very familiar with diagnostics and programming. Warranty Denial and Resolution Despite these results, Harley Davidson of Macon Georgia refused to honor the warranty for the battery. I paid $234.00 for a new battery and installed it myself, as Macon charged $70.00 for installation. Since installing the new battery, the bike has performed flawlessly. The new battery reads 13VDC, which is within the normal for a 6 cell 12VDC battery. According to the Harley Davidson electrical manual, a battery reading of 12.6VDC is only 75% charged. Based on this information, it is clear the original battery was faulty, and I feel Harley Davidson did not fulfill their warranty obligations. Customer Experience and Expectations I do not hold Harley Davidson of Macon directly responsible, as they must adhere to company policy. However, the quality of Harley Davidson batteries and the accuracy of their testing procedures are unsatisfactory. These issues contribute to declining sales, as customers are losing faith in the product. Personally, I will not purchase another Harley Davidson.  I would appreciate an answer from Harley Davidson, requesting either reimbursement for the new battery or the assignment of an electrical engineer to investigate the starting issue. I still possess the original battery, but I am not optimistic that Harley Davidson will address my concerns.