Battery Tender ?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Likes: 24
From: Findlay, ohio
As others have said.....leave it plugged in for the winter. It will only charge as necessary. The battery will last much longer this way. The tender is made to be used this way and will not hurt anything or use much energy.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay Area
See ! I told you more members will chime in with more advice! that's what makes this place so nice
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 47
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I agree with the others. I leaved my bike plugged in all winter. During the summer I typically ride about every other day. So I don't usually keep it plugged in during the summer. If the bike is going to be sitting for more then a few days, I plug it in. It's good insurance, and money well spent. When it comes to keeping your battery in good condition.
Jim
Jim
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 793
Likes: 1
From: Mt. Clemens, Mi
I use the tender on all the parked vehicles in my garage. My Quad battery just died after 5 1/2 years. Dealer was impressed, says avg is 3. Could have been a really good battery, or maybe the tender. Bike gets plugged in if not started and run every couple days.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Hmmm..guess I better get my pig tail for my Battery Tender Jr installed lol......correct me if I'm wrong but to install the pigtail it just goes on the battery posts right?.....What is the order so I don't blow myself up? lol
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
I have a Battery Tender Jr. While they say it is okay to leave it plugged in all the time, I just don't like to. I plug mine in about once every two to three weeks in the winter if not riding. It is usually fully charged in less than 30 minutes.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 1
I just pigtailed my Sportster, my wife's scoot, and my Mustang for use with a Deltran Battery Tender Jr. I figure I'll swap the main plug about once a week from one ride to the next. Should keep all three batteries in good shape while in the garage this winter.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
On my roadking I had the HD battery tender. Left it plugged in all winter never had a problem. Never replaced my battery either.
I now have the Deltran tender and plan on doing the same thing with the Ultra.
I now have the Deltran tender and plan on doing the same thing with the Ultra.