Battery Tender Really Necessary?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
i have multiple bikes. so they dont always get ridden, one bike i keep in another location where i work (1000 miles away) that never gets plugged up.
the bikes at home are always plugged up. batteries last 5 to 7 years. bike at my work location not plugged up. battery last 3 to 4 years.
they work, use them
the bikes at home are always plugged up. batteries last 5 to 7 years. bike at my work location not plugged up. battery last 3 to 4 years.
they work, use them
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Maybe it's just coincidence, but my motorcycle battery and boat cranking battery get pulled at the end of the season, and go on the battery tender. I got 8 years out of my m/c battery, and 10 years out of my marine cranking (not deep cycle) battery. The m/c battery was shot, woulnd't take a charge, but my boat battery was still good, but I replaced it simply because it was 10 years old.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
i have one. i've only HAD to use it a time or two when i forgot to turn off an accessory that was hot-wired to the battery. that said, in my case, you can hear the engine kind of labor trying to turn over at times. hooking the tender up for an overnight gives the battery a little more juice and helps give it a better kick to the start in the morning and it lasts a couple of months till it starts laboring again. its pretty cheap for piece of mind.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
I read that even while riding the battery never getts fully charged.
well who knows
I decided to buy a Bat tender Jr for the SG
23 bucks
Wat I can tell you is that when I start it , It pops right off instantlly
definately a difference
the battery must know be getting a full charge
the security system does tax the battery down some
so I see no harm in spending 23 bucks
easier on starter
well who knows
I decided to buy a Bat tender Jr for the SG
23 bucks
Wat I can tell you is that when I start it , It pops right off instantlly
definately a difference
the battery must know be getting a full charge
the security system does tax the battery down some
so I see no harm in spending 23 bucks
easier on starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Joliet,IL
I keep mine on a tender. When I plug it in after a ride, the charging light might flash for a few seconds or so. A few weeks ago I went to get the bike out and noticed that the light was flashing after being plugged in all night. Took it down the street and tested the battery and it was showing that it was weak. I probably could have used it for awhile longer, but I replaced it so I wouldn't get stuck somewhere. So I think this is a benefit to having a tender that I hadn't considered.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,092
Likes: 2
From: Wenatchee, WA
internal discharge of a battery is between 10 - 40%/mo, the determining factor is the battery's construction/age.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 243
From: Oklahoma
Cycle Gear has battery maintainers/tenders starting at $14.99 (on sale) http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P.../p/42958_00000. Cheap and easy to use so why not.