i have multiple bikes. so they dont always get ridden, one bike i keep in another location where i work (1000 miles away) that never gets plugged up.

the bikes at home are always plugged up. batteries last 5 to 7 years. bike at my work location not plugged up. battery last 3 to 4 years.

they work, use them

 

Maybe it's just coincidence, but my motorcycle battery and boat cranking battery get pulled at the end of the season, and go on the battery tender. I got 8 years out of my m/c battery, and 10 years out of my marine cranking (not deep cycle) battery. The m/c battery was shot, woulnd't take a charge, but my boat battery was still good, but I replaced it simply because it was 10 years old.

 

If you like your battery to last longer by 2yrs or so then plug her in

 

I don't use on on the bikes. I should though, on the cars that is. They don't get used much.

 

i have one. i've only HAD to use it a time or two when i forgot to turn off an accessory that was hot-wired to the battery. that said, in my case, you can hear the engine kind of labor trying to turn over at times. hooking the tender up for an overnight gives the battery a little more juice and helps give it a better kick to the start in the morning and it lasts a couple of months till it starts laboring again. its pretty cheap for piece of mind.

 

I read that even while riding the battery never getts fully charged.
well who knows

I decided to buy a Bat tender Jr for the SG
23 bucks

Wat I can tell you is that when I start it , It pops right off instantlly
definately a difference

the battery must know be getting a full charge
the security system does tax the battery down some

so I see no harm in spending 23 bucks
easier on starter

 

I keep mine on a tender. When I plug it in after a ride, the charging light might flash for a few seconds or so. A few weeks ago I went to get the bike out and noticed that the light was flashing after being plugged in all night. Took it down the street and tested the battery and it was showing that it was weak. I probably could have used it for awhile longer, but I replaced it so I wouldn't get stuck somewhere. So I think this is a benefit to having a tender that I hadn't considered.

 

internal discharge of a battery is between 10 - 40%/mo, the determining factor is the battery's construction/age.

 

Always on unless I'm riding or working on it....

 

Cycle Gear has battery maintainers/tenders starting at $14.99 (on sale) http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/P.../p/42958_00000. Cheap and easy to use so why not.