I have two wal mart battery tenders that work just fine. I alway keep mine on a tender.

 

Thank you everyone!!

 

Just make sure you buy a good battery tender. I highly recommend this one, I have had it on Mustang every winter and I am now using one on the bike.

www.batterytender.com

$47.99 on amazon.com

 

That's why I like this forum. Did not know about the moisture in the crank case. Better get myself a tender also. Thanks for the info guys.

 

I may be way off on this but we have to have the rear wheel spinning to be self charging as well? (not just idle)
Correct above about moisure building. Most people wil also roll the bike outside in winter or summer to "run it" outdoors and then bring the bike back into a very extreme temp change. Another bad idea as well. Metal expands , contracts and condensates just like wood does. Cheers.

 

Mine stays on tender any time it sits more than 24 hours (which around here is only for ice or when I'm away on business).

 

For whom using tender, do you unplug it after full charge or keep the tender plugged? If you are the one unplugging after full charge, when do you plug the tender again?

Thanks

 

I find a good 30 minute ride gets the oil up to temperature (180-195) so no condensation and also charges up the battery. I've had my bike 23 years and am only on my 3rd battery. I don't own a tender, just check the fluid level in battery occasionally and take it out fairly regularly for a ride. I might put it on a charger for a bit if I've not been able to ride for more than a couple weeks or so, but just briefly. Never had a problem starting her up. I'm sure a tender could not hurt, maybe Santa will bring me one someday.

John

 

Just leave it plugged it. The reason it's called a tender and not a charger is because it has logic in it to maintain or top up a charge, and shuts itself off when full charged.

 

Once plugged in...leave tender do its job. It turns on/off automatically, when battery needs juice.