I first want to mention that I'm pretty new when it comes to motorcycles. My parents used to ride all the time, but left it behind when they had kids. After my father got back into riding, I decided I would get into it too. Bought my first motorcycle late last summer, an XG500. I did not remove the battery over the winter - rookie mistake - but it started up just fine the other week. However, the battery must have lost some juice as it wouldn't start today. Speedometer and dash lights come on and it tries to start, but doesn't have enough to kick over. So to my question - is it OK to charge the battery while it's still on the bike, or do I need to remove it completely? After searching online, it seems that most people remove it, however it's a hassle to get to compared to most bikes.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

There should be a Battery Tender-style pigtail already attached to the battery, so you will likely only need a Battery Tender Jr or other SAE-charger type of device to plug it in. Look on the left side of the bike, I don't remember exactly where it was but when I had an XG750 it already had the pigtail installed, either at the factory or by the dealer.

That said, once you have a pigtail, charging the battery while it's installed is effortless and appropriate; no need to remove the battery to charge it through an SAE-style battery charger.

 

They all came with pig tail for charging . On right side of the bike. Look in the area of the right side cover. Someone may have tucked it under the cover.

 

HD Factory Battery Tender connector is under left side cover. Some dealers install an additional Battery Tender cable under the right side cover when they install the battery. Just goes to show how poorly trained they were when it comes to XG models.

HD SIP has all the data you need: https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....cle/lookupForm

 

I can't believe I overlooked this. Thanks for your help.

 

Thanks for the info. It was right in front of me all along.

 

My pleasure!

 

Just got a 2016 XG750. I bought a battery tender...and found the pigtail - but nothing lights up on the tender when I plug it into the tender (and 110). I'm not reading anything on the pigtail itself...does it have its own fuse (tucked away...hidden) that may have blown? My bike starts fine...so battery should be at 12v (or higher)...it reads 0.

 

when you connect the battery charger, the motorcycle's right turn light turns on.
Any idea why it does it?

 

Are you using the factory Tender cable ? If not how are to hooking it up.