How Often to Charge?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Here's my opinion...
There's overkill and then there's overkill. Just like the guys that check their air pressure in the tires for every ride, check the fluid levels for every ride and so on.
There is absolutely no need to do this stuff that often unless you're aware of a problem such as a slow leak in a tire or an engine that uses or leaks a significant amount of oil.
Putting a battery on a tender religously everyday fits in the same category. For what? Batteries don't go dead overnight unless there is an issue.
And for the guys that claim it extends battery life, what are you saving? For every dollar you save in battery costs over the long haul, you've probably spent more than that in electricity costs to run your tender on a daily basis over that timespan.
Do any of these precautions hurt? No. But are they necessary or beneficial? Maybe to a small degree in certain circumstances, but generally no.
My battery tender gets used for a few hours or overnight if my second bike is sitting for more than a couple of weeks as it often does, but on my daily rider - never.
There's overkill and then there's overkill. Just like the guys that check their air pressure in the tires for every ride, check the fluid levels for every ride and so on.
There is absolutely no need to do this stuff that often unless you're aware of a problem such as a slow leak in a tire or an engine that uses or leaks a significant amount of oil.
Putting a battery on a tender religously everyday fits in the same category. For what? Batteries don't go dead overnight unless there is an issue.
And for the guys that claim it extends battery life, what are you saving? For every dollar you save in battery costs over the long haul, you've probably spent more than that in electricity costs to run your tender on a daily basis over that timespan.
Do any of these precautions hurt? No. But are they necessary or beneficial? Maybe to a small degree in certain circumstances, but generally no.
My battery tender gets used for a few hours or overnight if my second bike is sitting for more than a couple of weeks as it often does, but on my daily rider - never.
Last edited by 2black1s; Nov 6, 2013 at 04:57 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Here's my opinion... There's overkill and then there's overkill. Just like the guys that check their air pressure in the tires for every ride, check the fluid levels for every ride and so on. There is absolutely no need to do this stuff that often unless you're aware of a problem such as a slow leak in a tire or an engine that uses or leaks a significant amount of oil. Putting a battery on a tender religously everyday fits in the same category. For what? Batteries don't go dead overnight unless there is an issue. And for the guys that claim it extends battery life, what are you saving? For every dollar you save in battery costs over the long haul, you've probably spent more than that in electricity costs to run your tender on a daily basis over that timespan. Do any of these precautions hurt? No. But are they necessary or beneficial? Maybe to a small degree in certain circumstances, but generally no. My battery tender gets used for a few hours or overnight if my second bike is sitting for more than a couple of weeks as it often does, but on my daily rider - never.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 820
From: Nevada
I've charged dead batteries with a tender, too. Only downside is it takes longer than a high amperage charger.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
I just use the tender every couple of weeks or so for a couple of hours until it goes green.
I use one tender, and swap it from the 4 wheeler, lawn tractor, snow blowing tractor, the bikes, and my ragtop.
I use one tender, and swap it from the 4 wheeler, lawn tractor, snow blowing tractor, the bikes, and my ragtop.
To the OP heat is tougher on battery life than cold. AZ eats up batteries. Best to be safe and keep it on the tender. I live in the east and keep mine on just about all the time I am not riding. My 5 year old battery seems to turn my bike over a little faster than my buds that don't tender. Just saying.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Dude I bought my bike from told me "one problem I have had with this bike is that the stator plug comes off from time to time and the battery dies. I put it on the charger after getting a lift home by AAA and wiggle the plug and all is well."
First thing I bought for the bike was a regulator plug retainer, new battery (after it died in the line to get my inspection the first day I rode it and wouldn't crank the second day I planed to ride it) and a battery tender."
She is hooked up in the garage now and will stay that way anytime she is in the garage.
If I can get 5 years outa a battery in South Texas it will all be worth it!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey
Mine is also on the tender when in the garage. Had a 2001 fatboy prior to my limited with the original battery. It was on the tender from day 1.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
The more often you drive 'em, the less you have to worry about them. On average, I keep the BT on one for a couple of days or so, then move it to another one, etc.
What ever floats yer boat...
