OK. When I owned my Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100, Honda Valkyrie Tourer and Road Star Midnight Silverado, I NEVER used a battery tender during the riding season. The only time I would use a battery tender was over the Winter, when I would pull the battery and hook it up to a battery tender in my workshop.

I picked up my new 2011 SG a few months ago. Up until now, it has always started right up, like it should on a full charge. Last Saturday, it took several seconds before starting - long enough to be a concern to me. We rode 125 miles, stopping briefly 3 times along the way, and it started right up, as normal.

Is something going on here? Do you guys use a tender between rides? Do you pull the battery over the Winter?

Thanks for the help, guys.

 

Not needing the tender durung riding season. I ride it almost every day.
I always pull the battery in the winter and put in the cool basement off the floor. Top off the cells with distilled water and trickle charge once a month or so.. Have gotten at least 3 years life on batteries.

Mine may crank a little longer if she sits for a couple days.

 

I use a battery tender all year round. The weather here is moderate enough to where there are days here and there during the winter that are rideable, so there's no need to winterize.

 

I plug my bike in to a battery tender everytime it is in the garage during riding season and during winter storage. The battery is almost 4 years old and going strong without a single issue. Now I hope I didn't jinx myself!

 

I use a tender year round and have 4 years on the current battery.

Just curious... Do you use lead acid batteries instead of the sealed AGM batteries? I haven't "topped off" a battery since my old 6V Farmall Super C tractor (gift from my grandfather).

 

no tender during riding season. bike never sits long enough to discharge battery. I ride daily.

 

I have an 06 SG and keep the tender on only in the winter. This is my 6th riding season with no worries at all.

 

I use it all the time even with daily riding. It seems to prolong the life of the battery. I don't really know this, but I get that impression from reading and talking to others.

 

My 72 XLCH has serviceable battery.
RK is sealed..

 

I have a new 2011 SG. IIRC, it looked like a sealed AGM battery.