question about the trickle charge
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
My current and last bikes, I did not use one, but RIDE often during the season and on warm days in winter. Then I usually top it off in spring with my charger.
I got eight years each out of the last two batteries, factory. Not bad.
Never tried a trickle charger, but would make sure it is a quality one so it does not cook your battery...
May the power be with you...LOL...
I got eight years each out of the last two batteries, factory. Not bad.
Never tried a trickle charger, but would make sure it is a quality one so it does not cook your battery...
May the power be with you...LOL...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Yes you can, I did the same thing when I had my first bike. I brought the battery inside because I didn't have a way to put a charger on it while parked outside. The name of the game is to prolong the life of your battery and which ever way you do it, that's the name of the game.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 149
From: FL
The proper use of a Battery Tender can greatly extend battery life. I recently replaced my battery that I had used for 6.5 years. The battery still held a charge and the only reason I replaced it was due to its age. I attribute the long life of this battery due to keeping it on a tender.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
The subject line reads "trickle charger" - that is fairly old terminology and the OP may have meant a battery "Tender", so just be sure that whatever you use is a modern device that will not over charge like the old trickle chargers did.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
My Son uses a solar battery tender at his college apartment parking lot.
It came with a quick disconnect that connects to the battery.
I've always been concerned that someone would steal it but so far nobody's taken it.
As for using a tender; if you ride an hour of so every couple of weeks I don't think it hurts to not put on a tender.
I only tender mine in the winter when it's sometimes 3-4 weeks between rides.
He also has a uses a controller with it:
It came with a quick disconnect that connects to the battery.
I've always been concerned that someone would steal it but so far nobody's taken it.
As for using a tender; if you ride an hour of so every couple of weeks I don't think it hurts to not put on a tender.
I only tender mine in the winter when it's sometimes 3-4 weeks between rides.
He also has a uses a controller with it:
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 3
From: Hampton, NH
Thank you for your service...
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
You would think that would be true, after serving 5 years as a Marine MP I can certainly tell you that is not the case. You still have bad apples in the military...
Novice
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
I ride four or five times a week, but a few weeks ago I went to the movies and it was down in the high 20's and the bike sat for about 2.5 hours in the freezing cold. When I went out to head home, the bike would not start. Thankfully I was parked right in front of an Auto Zone, and though closed, they opened up to help me and they had a jump box which I used. Next day I ordered a Shumacher battery tender from Amazon and keep it hooked up now regardless of how often I ride. I shudder to think of my night had they not been there to help.
Short story long, keep it on the tender whenever you are not riding it. Nice to know the battery is always topped off when you leave the house.
Short story long, keep it on the tender whenever you are not riding it. Nice to know the battery is always topped off when you leave the house.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 199
From: Danbury Connecticut
On my old bike I did not hook up a charger to it during the riding season. Only rode on Sundays with my friends and even after missing 2 full weeks the bike turned over with out a problem.. This bike had a S&S 107 motor but was garaged kept. Pulled the battery out in the winter an on a tender it went. My new heritage goes on a charger all the time.
I don't think you will have a problem with your bike being outside with out a charger as long as you ride it every few days or so... Just my 2cts....swifty
I don't think you will have a problem with your bike being outside with out a charger as long as you ride it every few days or so... Just my 2cts....swifty
