My 04 has the factory alarm and its always ready even if it not on. Makes a good spark when hooking up battery. Will drain battery pretty low in 4 weeks in the winter. I ride year round but in winter I may go 4 weeks without riding and mine needs a tender. My rides are at least 10 miles on average and I ride probable 3 or 4 time a week in summer. My battery is pushing 3 1/2 years and I just checked volts and amperage and its still OK . You drain it too low a few times and it will probably shorten its life. Got to watch keeping it too long and depending on tender to get it started. May leave you somewhere and a Harley is a chunk of iron with a dead battery. Do not use tender wires to jump it.

 

I use the HD brand one. I have heard numerous stories from people about these things. Some people say to only use it when the scoot is going to be sitting for more then 2 weeks... Or only use it during the colder months of the year. I have even heard some guys at the Indy shops, say to use it 24/7/365... if you are not riding it, then plug it in. They say the battery will actually last longer then a normal battery, that does not use a tender. I use mine probably 4 months out of the year total. For more then 2 week breaks from riding, or during the dead of winter, to keep the battery from freezing. I would DEFINITELY buy one... they are a great / wise investment!!! Hope these 2 cents help. Let us know what you decide, and get!

 

From our tried and true Canadian Tire store...

Whaddya think?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...=1283124413995

 

I think you're in business. Make sure you have the right terminals, though. Those alligator clips would be a pain to use every time.

 

Yeah, I'll find myself a proper plug so it can be at the ready. Maybe one included - $19.99...probably not

 

I use my tender everytime I know my bike is going to sit more than a week. I use a Yuasa 900 mA. (under $30.00 w/clips & hard wire plug) Any 750 mA - 900 mA is sufficient.

 

Have been using them on the last 5 bikes I've owned over the past 8 years.

 

I have used mine for the last two bikes winter and summer and my bike always starts and runs like a champ...

 

have pigtails on mine and the wifes bikes and two tenders in the garage...
hers is always on, and mine goes on if i am out of town.
my cage is pretty much never driven any more (cause of the bike), so it goes on from time to time also.

 

$30 for a Deltran Battery Tender Jr. = Pleased face when you go to start your bike...i keep mine hooked up 24/7, even during the summer. Batteries are not cheap...