Battery Tender

[Colione]

I have the bike running a few times a week. Not always on long rides, but it is cranked, and running. I do not know how long in the winter season I will be ridding. Living in South Carolina, I am blessed with muild winters. A good set of chaps, gloves etc etc etc I should be able to ride through most of the winter months. I have been told I need a battery tneder. I dont recall Me Dad using one on his harley, but ok I started looking into them.
Went to Walmart. Hate shopping there. Any ways- went to walmart and seen one. It was like 20ish. I came home and opened My jc whitney catalog. I see a few to choose from. Do not know the real difference between them. I know the amps are different. If it is left on to maintain thwe bikes battery, why do I need a larger amp? On somthing like a tire, I want the best. The best My thin wallet can get. The battery tender, if it works good enough, is it good enough?
Last question. Does the tender hook to the battery directly, do I have to remove the seat to put it on, when I want to ride remove it and put the seat on, done ridding, remove the seat repeat process?

Off for a ride! Such a beautiful day. Time to catch some bugs on the head lamp.

[streetnoyz]

use the search button on the top and search "Battery Tenders"
there is a very extensive thread on the subject. good luck.

[Colione]

I just searched it- should have first off-- That was an interesting read! My bad for bringing it back up. After all that reading I have done over the past few months, I should have known there was somthing here on the subject. Never too old to make the same mistake over. Oh well,!

[EZE RIDER]

Battery tenders are one of those items that even the cheapos work great. Battery Tender Jr seems to be the device of choice.

You can hook up a quick disconnect plug to your battery or plug it in to the cigarette lighter (accessory outlet) if you have one.

It seems to me that down south you guys would need one in the summer not the winter like us Yankees but I'm a Met fan anyway.

[tibadoe]

Got one hooked up on the Ultra and they work great. Even put one on the mower.

[streetnoyz]

Originally Posted by Colione

I just searched it- should have first off-- That was an interesting read! My bad for bringing it back up. After all that reading I have done over the past few months, I should have known there was somthing here on the subject. Never too old to make the same mistake over. Oh well,!

no worries, all ya gotta do is ask.

[juke]

I don't ride near as much as I use to. If I ride 10k miles a year that would be a long season for me. I am a firm believer in using a Battery Tender. Even when someone rides a lot doesn't necessarily mean the battery stays fully charged all of the time. I don't know what the life expectancy is of the average gel cell battery. I've seen riders replace their battery every 2 riding seasons even when they ride a lot. The heat, vibration and condition of charging systems all play a part of a battery's life. The only thing I know for sure is, I've replaced less batteries since I started using a Battery Tender.

[Colione]

Thanks for the information!

[Osco]

I was told to leave the tender hooked up all the time,,,any thoughts ??

[tibadoe]

I leave it hooked up all the time. Keeps it topped off and conditioned.