New to Harley, not new to owing bikes. My question is; do these bikes need to be hooked up to a battery tender during riding season? On all my previous bikes, mostly Honda, I could park for a couple months and not give a second thought to the battery. Always fired right up. On this bike, 2014 FLHTK, there are so many widgets and gadgets that must be putting some drain on the electrical while the bike is off. I'm not a daily rider, I have a company car and required to drive it, so weekends and some afternoons are my riding times outside of planned trips.

 

Hooking it up to the battery tender has no downside ... It only takes a minute and offers peace of mind along with ensuring a longer battery life. Why not?

 

The alarm and keep alive for the radio,clock etc do draw current. I hook mine up whenever I think about it. I do ride daily but there are ocassions when I don't ride for a week or so. Like others have said why not hook it up? Also did the same thing with my Honda Goldwing before I traded it for this LTD.

 

I always hook my up, everyday. Like any modern vehicle, there are so many parasitic drains, the battery is not going to last "months". Your battery will last longer if kept on the proper tender.

 

Just do it

 

I always hook up to my battery tender - may as well, as as stated earlier its a fast process and its done. no brainer..

 

Thanks for the replies. Never thought using a tender would cause harm, just was trying to decide whether to buy one now, or wait till end of season (of which there really isn't an off season here, albeit the two weeks we call winter). My salesman just made it a mute point. He sent me a message telling me he forgot to give me the battery tender that, apparently, comes with the purchase of a new bike from them. Issue resolved.

 

I attribute my 7+ year oem battery life on the tender. USE IT!

 

Actually I use a "Battery Minder", not tender. Supposedly de-sulphates the battery. Who knows, but 7 years is sweet.

 

Yup I do it to!