I'm going to install a Whole Home back up generator so if the power goes out my BT will still work.

 

True; it just takes longer.

 

Battery tenders very rarely go bad. So it is a safe bet to leave a bike on a battery tender for extended periods of time.

I do not however leave any bike on a battery tender as many of the components are made is Asian and every once n a while one goes bad. My routine is to plug in the battery charger every two weeks or so. On all 4 bikes, it takes about 5-10 minutes to turn steady green.

If the touring bike sits for a month, it takes several hours, the others 5-10 minutes as they have no micro-amp drain to feed the security and clocks, etc.

If I had to store my bike in a out building, say a shed with power, but did not want to shovel the snow away every two weeks, I would leave it plugged into a battery tender for the winter. I feel fortunate that I may be able to get a chance to ride in almost any month, so they are in the garage ready to go.

Speaking to storage, let me say that there are only two ways to store a bike as far as I am concerned. Gas tank empty and fogged or gas tank totally filled with Startron fuel treatment added. A full tank reduces the ability of daily temperature changes to bring water vapor in contact with the surface level of gas in your tank, the Startron keeps the ethanol and existing water harmless until you can ride it again.

Vintage bikes get drained and fogged, battery removed, tenderized every two weeks. My Road King, Evo Sporty and Triumph T100 are full with Startron added, tires on plywood and ready to go should this damn rain every cease.

And that the way it is folks living at or near the Western Washington winter snow line. This and $ 4.00 will get you a good cup of Jo, so take a seat and let's see what others do to entertain themselves all winter.

 

Received a H D battery tender for Christmas in 2002, installed the pig tail directly onto the battery posts, and connected to the tender at the end of each ride, I don't disconnect untill the next ride. Never had a problem, and the factory battery stayed in the bike for 9 years. I replaced the factory battery in the summer of 2009, because I asked the service department rep. how long does a battery last, and he told me on average 5 years. The battery still works strong but I did not want to take a chance, so I decided to replaced the battery.
Best Christmas present ever, so after I traded my 2000 Night Train(fxstb), for the 2013 Road King ( by the way it comes with the tender pig tail already installed from the factory) upon arrival of my house it is connected to the tender.

 

Thank you all for the input and advice. After 19yrs, 07months, & 13 days in N. Dak AZ is a different animal.

 

I keep my bike plugged in, but then again I don't use it everyday like my truck.

 

I ride my bike at least once a week. No tender. When it sits for more than a week I charge with a .75 volt tender or a 1.25 volt tender. I never leave a tender on continuously because is unnecessary.
Ferd

 

I plug my tender while the bike is parked. Battery can easily last 6-7yrs believe or not.