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 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.

 

Why do motorcycle batteries need to be on a battery tender if the bike is ridden every day or every few days? How is it different from a car battery?

 

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.

 

According to the previous owner I'm still on the original battery of my '07 bike.

 

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.