Battery tender killed my battery?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,900
Likes: 11,342
From: NE Ohio
I'm going to go against the grain and conventional wisdom
is a tender even needed?
My battery (Harley OEM) has never been on a tender, never been out of the bike.
Thru the cooler and winter months (late Oct to early April) It's parked and covered.
I put a "real" charger on it at least once in the depth of winter cold , set at 2amp setting auto off.
Got the bike out a few weeks ago, so far so good.
Looks like I'll get another season out of it (if I haven't jinxed it now by talking chit)
I'll note, my bike doesn't have much (if any?) parasitic draw being an '04 softail w/security system turned off.
Donno about newer bikes if they sit for a week or three between rides.
..L.T.A.
is a tender even needed?
My battery (Harley OEM) has never been on a tender, never been out of the bike.
Thru the cooler and winter months (late Oct to early April) It's parked and covered.
I put a "real" charger on it at least once in the depth of winter cold , set at 2amp setting auto off.
Got the bike out a few weeks ago, so far so good.
Looks like I'll get another season out of it (if I haven't jinxed it now by talking chit)
I'll note, my bike doesn't have much (if any?) parasitic draw being an '04 softail w/security system turned off.
Donno about newer bikes if they sit for a week or three between rides.
..L.T.A.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 719
Likes: 35
From: SE New Hampshire
I'm going to go against the grain and conventional wisdom
is a tender even needed?
My battery (Harley OEM) has never been on a tender, never been out of the bike.
Thru the cooler and winter months (late Oct to early April) It's parked and covered.
I put a "real" charger on it at least once in the depth of winter cold , set at 2amp setting auto off.
Got the bike out a few weeks ago, so far so good.
Looks like I'll get another season out of it (if I haven't jinxed it now by talking chit)
I'll note, my bike doesn't have much (if any?) parasitic draw being an '04 softail w/security system turned off.
Donno about newer bikes if they sit for a week or three between rides.
..L.T.A.
is a tender even needed?
My battery (Harley OEM) has never been on a tender, never been out of the bike.
Thru the cooler and winter months (late Oct to early April) It's parked and covered.
I put a "real" charger on it at least once in the depth of winter cold , set at 2amp setting auto off.
Got the bike out a few weeks ago, so far so good.
Looks like I'll get another season out of it (if I haven't jinxed it now by talking chit)
I'll note, my bike doesn't have much (if any?) parasitic draw being an '04 softail w/security system turned off.
Donno about newer bikes if they sit for a week or three between rides.
..L.T.A.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,105
Likes: 13,049
From: Texas, USA
I live in Texas and the heat down here will kill batteries. I have everything on a Battery Tender including the Harley, lawn tractors, UTVs and large tractor. If it has a battery, it is on a tender. The only thing not on a tender is the car and truck. They both get daily use.
I have two replacement batteries on a tender in case a battery goes bad. I have two unopened Battery Tenders on the shelf in case one of them goes bad. If they go bad, toss it and put out a new one. Hell, they are under $40.
I have two replacement batteries on a tender in case a battery goes bad. I have two unopened Battery Tenders on the shelf in case one of them goes bad. If they go bad, toss it and put out a new one. Hell, they are under $40.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,900
Likes: 11,342
From: NE Ohio
It's 4 years old almost to the day.
I average a little over 4000 miles a year, most all of it short rides (40-70 miles)
If I get this season out of it, I'll buy new next season "just because" it's 5 years old
..L.T.A.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 96
From: Eastern North Carolina
I just had to replace my 4 year old battery that was always on the Harley tender showing green. I went in for an inspection last week and forgot to ask the fella to please check it. When I heard him start it in the service area, I heard the weakness in it that wasn't there when I left home. Something said it was time and it was. The long ride to the dealer didn't charge it so I was glad I was where I was at the time and not stranded. That happened once and it was a real pain in the tail. Never again!
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