Battery Tenders: Do You Use One During Riding Season?
#52
08-15-2011, 11:55 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
No. Just winter months but I ride year round. Most of my trips are at least 10 miles. Actually do not think its a good idea. Sometime due to heat or thunderstorms bike may sit 5-7 days or so. If I have a battery problem I want to know leaving home. Keeping it on all the times may just get your last start leaving home and not start after it sits 8 hours somewhere. My battery was 5 years old 8-7. Think its going South. Getting a lot of hesitation on start lately. About 6 month ago wires were loose so I pulled it and had it check and it was OK so maybe wire is loose again. Does anyone know if Walmart's Softail battery is gel or not?
Last edited by Jackie Paper; 08-16-2011 at 12:02 AM.
#53
08-15-2011, 11:58 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
All my battery related problems stopped when I stopped using battery tenders and "winterizing" my bikes in 2004. Currently have an 07 SG. It has never seen a tender or been "winterized". Between 04 and 07, I had a Dyna and did the same with that. When I'm done riding, I'm done riding. It goes in storage and when I want to ride again, I turn the ignition on and push the button. Never failed to start.
#54
08-16-2011, 12:29 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
66010-82A
1997: 66010-97
2000: 66010-97a
2007: 66010-97b
2008: 66010-97c
Going from 97 to 97A was H-D's first AGM battery I believe. HUGE change in durability. From there I suspect they got better (hopefully). No way can you attribute the discontinuance of a battery tender to better battery life.
1997: 66010-97
2000: 66010-97a
2007: 66010-97b
2008: 66010-97c
Going from 97 to 97A was H-D's first AGM battery I believe. HUGE change in durability. From there I suspect they got better (hopefully). No way can you attribute the discontinuance of a battery tender to better battery life.
Last edited by davessworks; 08-16-2011 at 12:40 AM.
#55
08-16-2011, 04:17 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
#57
08-16-2011, 05:38 AM
Battery
I ride year round and my bikes are seldom sitting for more than a few days. If you are going to park it over the winter, it is a good time to take it out, clean it and store it in a nice warm dry place. I suspect that if your riding schedule is to ride once a month, a battery tender would be a good idea.
#58
08-16-2011, 05:56 AM
Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Northern Virginia
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OK. When I owned my Honda Shadow Spirit VT1100, Honda Valkyrie Tourer and Road Star Midnight Silverado, I NEVER used a battery tender during the riding season.
I picked up my new 2011 SG a few months ago. Up until now, it has always started right up, like it should on a full charge. Last Saturday, it took several seconds before starting - long enough to be a concern to me.
I picked up my new 2011 SG a few months ago. Up until now, it has always started right up, like it should on a full charge. Last Saturday, it took several seconds before starting - long enough to be a concern to me.
My 1999 VT1100 Spirit can't sit for more than 2 days without low battery issues unless it is on a tender.
#60
08-16-2011, 06:12 AM
Elite HDF Member