I just took my 2017 RG for 20K service to an independent shop. The tech told me I was killing my battery and asked if I plugged it into a tender. I said yes at the end of every day of riding. He told me bad idea. If I’m riding at least once a week leave it off. I always thought it was a good thing to plug in. I swore it saved me on my Honda when I left the key on for 90 minutes and the bike fired right up. What do you all think?

 

I leave all 3 of my bikes on battery tenders full time. Never had a problem.

 

I never use one and ride at least every couple weeks. I seem to get around 3 years out of them. I would rather spend $100.00 every 3 years than have to plug the thing in after every ride.

 

Been using battery minder smart charger/ maintainer on motorcycles and RV batteries for past 5 years with no problems.

 

I just use mine over the winter once the snow falls.

 

I always have mine on a BT, fires right up..even after a winter nap.

 

During the winter I plug one bike in for a week then switch to my other bike for a week and keep alternating. Starts right up in the Spring (Long Winters here in Maine too). During the riding season I only plug one in if it is going to sit for a week. Plugging them in after every ride doesn't seem like it would have any real benefit. Do you plug your car/truck in every day?

 

I plug mine in if I am not riding for a couple days. The security system is a constant drain on the battery

 

To me, it's called a battery TENDER for a reason, to constantly maintain a battery at full charge without over charging it. It's my understanding a lead acid battery prefers to be kept at full charge or it will slowly begin to sulfate, while a lithium prefers to be 'stored' at around half charge. Notice I said 'stored'.

FWIW, mine is plugged in to a tender 24/7 unless it's being ridden. First time I've ever heard of a properly functioning tender supposedly 'killing' a battery, and I'm curious as to how he/she would even know that, and what they're basing that on.

 

I used a Harbor Freight $4.99 Battery Tender on my 05, Battery lasted 8 years. I only use one over Winter and when the Bike is Parked for over a week.