Originally Posted by djbiker

The fastest way to kill a battery is to let it go dead and then charge it. When it is dead, it can start to sulfate and you can have a dead cell, even after the first time.

The security system on some of the bikes pulls on the battery. Mine can drop enough to have a hard time starting the bike within a couple of weeks, especially if it's cold.

I have a Craftsman tender that works great, when I remember to plug it in. If I have a couple of weeks when I won't be riding, I plug it in. Same battery since 07 and still running perfectly, at least when it's charged.