battery tender
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
I own 6 bikes that are currently in running shape. Only 2 (baggers) have the alarm and efi that draw from the battery. I live in southern california so can ride through the winter. None are on tenders. The baggers typically get driven 140 miles or more when ridden and usually once a week. On the others with no current draw, an AGM battery can sit for a month easy but they typically get ridden once every 2 weeks for at least 30 miles or more.. I'll put them one or two in tenders if plan on not riding them for some time..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,027
From: Carlsbad, CA
Lead acid batteries have self discharge, and there is parasitic drain in the bike. With the relatively small motorcycle batteries, it doesn’t take much to run them down. And lead avid batteries do not like any level of discharge without immediately bringing them up to full charge..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 7,968
From: poway
Lead acid batteries have self discharge, and there is parasitic drain in the bike. With the relatively small motorcycle batteries, it doesn’t take much to run them down. And lead avid batteries do not like any level of discharge without immediately bringing them up to full charge..
Last edited by Max Headflow; May 5, 2023 at 11:17 AM. Reason: urrent but more AH to hold it up..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 2,051
From: Massachusetts
Was she smirking, when she said that?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 855
From: B.C.
If you want to check your battery in winter, have it out of the bike, fully charged and check the voltage.
Write it down on a calendar, check voltage everyday, write down the voltage everyday on the calendar.
After 2 weeks if it is 12.6 or lower, it is weak.
Write it down on a calendar, check voltage everyday, write down the voltage everyday on the calendar.
After 2 weeks if it is 12.6 or lower, it is weak.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,894
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
I don't keep on a tender. I find riding is better. In the winter, I put it on once a month or so
If you have security it may need to be on tender.
Keeping your bike always on a tender, you won't know if battery is bad untill away from home.
Northern climate get 7 years out of battery.
If you have security it may need to be on tender.
Keeping your bike always on a tender, you won't know if battery is bad untill away from home.
Northern climate get 7 years out of battery.