How about the battery from the factory going 8 years using it on a regular bases. I
would ride to work everyday until the rain & snow started in Winter. Plugged the tender
in 90% of the times it was parked, even just over night.

 

You didn't volunteer the years of your metrics, older machines before electronic speedometers, radios and engine computers were really OFF when they were off. Newer machines have all sorts of keep alive memories (speedo memory functions, radio tuning, clock, perhaps even security proximity receivers). There is a constant draw on the battery, not much but it is there. Add to that the natural rate of discharge in the battery itself.

Other than the purchase price, there is no penalty for connecting a maintainer, even if you decide to go for another ride an hour later. (Provided the pig tail is installed) I sure wouldn't want to remove the seat each time to connect the maintainer. Touring machines seem to be hard on batteries. Very few report 5, 6, or 7 years any more. I have no idea if it is the big jolt needed to start the big twins or how close the battery is to the rear cylinder and it gets cooked to an early death. As always, it is your machine, do as you wish. A maintainer is far from being a mandatory accessory. I have and use several.

 

Like several others have said, if it's in my garage, it's on the tender. No downside.

 

I have one but I never plug it in. I suppose if I were going to let it sit for a couple three weeks or more, I may.

For the person who said it was the best $40 spent on a Harley...I can think of a few better items.

 

Bikes with alarms will drain a battery faster, or so I've been told. This is my first with an alarm and I think 3 days is the longest it sat and no problems. My Fatboy was dead after sitting for about 3 weeks. I kept forgetting to plug it in. I plug it in and it charged back up and started right up. It's an inexpensive piece of insurance. All of my Harleys came with pigtails and I just kept the plug they gave me with the first one.

 

I plug in after every ride. Been doing it since 07 when I bought my SG. Continued when I got the Ultra. It becomes a no hassle habit.

 

The battery is the heart of the system. Its main purpose is to provide stored sufficient energy to start the engine. Once the alternator is turning IT supplies the power to run all the electrical devices on the vehicle (bike) not the battery. When the engine is cranking it causes a large discharge of the battery. The alternators job is to supply voltage and current to the electrical system when its spinning. Its job is NOT to charge the battery. When batteries are made they are set up to have so many discharges (starts) in their lifespan. A battery that sits idle can go a very long time before it discharges. Like stated on old machines that have no memory draws, when they are off they have no draw. Newer machines have slight draws from memories on devices (milliamps) so when sitting parked they will lose a charge at a faster rate. I prefer to plug in if it is gonna sit for a month or more. the tender is not a trickle charger. it is a maintainer. it has technology that will have it monitoring the battery and only putting a very slow (low amperage) charge into the battery when it deems that it is needed.

unless a battery is a deep cycle battery it is very hard on it to run it completely dead and then recharge it. Deep cycle batteries are built for this purpose. For example as a back up for a sump pump. This is because it will be used to provide voltage and current for a good length of time before it can be charged back up. Regular batteries are not built for this. A battery tender is not a bad thing.

 

Love mine and have for years. Added a Powerlet port to the RK and plug to the Tender and it just couldn't be an easier way to keep things topped off. Just simple peace of mind.

 

I have always used a tender. Best investment for your battery. Doesn't take a lot of effort but will prolong the life of ur battery.

 

Always a good idea. I plug mine in basically everyday. Keeps the voltage up and makes the battery last twice as long. I've had my Kawasaki going on four years. Never had a dead battery or a battery issue. But if ever did my maintainer would tell me. They let you know when your battery is completley dead. I say plug it in. Very often.