My last battery, which was the OEM, lasted 7+ years. It actually went longer than that because it's now in a riding tractor. I changed it as a PM item. The battery tender was used every time the bike was parked over night.
A tender won't charge if the battery doesn't need it, unlike a trickle charger.
My tender finally died after 15 years or so. I haven't replaced it yet because I ride the bike every week year round for the hour long ride to work and it always fires right up.
If it was more than a week, I'd be more inclined to get another.
The Battery Tender Jr. has been a great $30 investment. Just plug it in and the bike is ready to go whenever the weather/job/family cooperates. I'm glad I have it.
My tender finally died after 15 years or so. I haven't replaced it yet because I ride the bike every week year round for the hour long ride to work and it always fires right up.
If it was more than a week, I'd be more inclined to get another.
My battery tender+ crapped out and I sent it back to the company along with the $15.95 that they requested and within a week I had a brand new one in the package with all the connectors! Great little item and I plug mine in all the time and its always ready to go when I get ready to ride again! My first bike had a battery failure after 2 years and after shelling out $125 for a new one, I didn't feel the least bit bad about purchasing a battery tender! Cheaper than a battery every 2 years or so! Just my $0.02 worth!
I'll plug in mine in the winter every so often until the light turns green. Usually Within a minute or so, so I unplug it. Maybe 3or 4 times a winter. Summertime is harder on your battery, but I ride more and never use it. If for some reason your bike can't be ridden in the summer, I would then leave it plugged in.
I just bought a new battery for my bike last week. The date on the old one (by the date code) was October 2008. I have a Noco Genius battery tender/charger and I keep it plugged in when ever Im not riding my bike. I think its cheap insurance to have the battery plugged in to keep it maintained and topped off.
I plug it in every few weeks or so during the winter when not riding. I haven't yet plugged it in during the riding season. Though, it usually only sits for a few days to a week or so during that time. The battery does just fine that way. I also don't add Stabil etc either to the gas.
wow!..maybe its because i'm a chick..but i've never used one until last night for new battery charge. i bought bike new in 2010 and up until 2 weeks ago it started up everytime all the time on same unattended battery.