Do I need a battery tender?

hihhs · July 20, 2009, 10:50:27 AM

I'll be away for about two weeks in August. Should I get a battery tender?

numbskull · July 20, 2009, 10:57:04 AM

Two weeks? Shouldn't be an issue unless your battery is reeeeeally old to begin with.

hihhs · July 20, 2009, 12:54:31 PM

Good to know...
Bike is '09

Thanks for the advice

angler · July 20, 2009, 12:59:28 PM

I don't put a tender on the Monster and as long as I start my bike (and take it for a ride) once a month or so in the winter, I don't need one. I keep one on the '72 CB175 however as it doesn't charge worth a crap anyway.

corey · July 20, 2009, 01:00:31 PM

they're a nice item have for when that battery DOES start to age...
consider buying one...

my personal preference is the "Optimate 3" Battery Charger/Desulfator...
i have two.

it charges using a special algorithm to help fight sulfating in our batteries... not much more than your standard battery tender eithyer..

ScottRNelson · July 20, 2009, 04:07:15 PM

You don't need to hook up your bike to a Battery Tender to leave it for two weeks but you still need a Battery Tender. There are other times when it is needed and can make a big difference. Personally, if I'll be leaving one of my bikes for more than two weeks I hook it up and then I don't have to worry about the battery.

They're not that expensive and can make a big difference when you find yourself taking lots of short trips that don't quite keep the battery fully charged.

hihhs · July 20, 2009, 04:14:57 PM

Quote from: ScottRNelson on July 20, 2009, 04:07:15 PM
You don't need to hook up your bike to a Battery Tender to leave it for two weeks but you still need a Battery Tender. There are other times when it is needed and can make a big difference. Personally, if I'll be leaving one of my bikes for more than two weeks I hook it up and then I don't have to worry about the battery.

They're not that expensive and can make a big difference when you find yourself taking lots of short trips that don't quite keep the battery fully charged.

Thanks for the reply!

I'll probably get one eventually but they aren't available "on island" (I'm in Hawaii) and I don't feel like forking over the $30-$50 dollars shipping right now, especially on an item that only costs $60. I'm gonna wait till I'm ordering some other items also and send them to freight forwarder.

herm · July 20, 2009, 04:23:46 PM

Quote from: angler on July 20, 2009, 12:59:28 PM
I don't put a tender on the Monster and as long as I start my bike once a month or so in the winter, I don't need one. I keep one on the '72 CB175 however as it doesn't charge worth a crap anyway.

are you taking the bike out for a spin when you do this?
common wisdom is that its not good for the engine. several threads on this discussion of you're interested.

angler · July 22, 2009, 05:21:48 AM

Quote from: herm on July 20, 2009, 04:23:46 PM
are you taking the bike out for a spin when you do this?
common wisdom is that its not good for the engine. several threads on this discussion of you're interested.

.....and ride it has been added to my post above. I'm on the bike for a ride at least once a month and usually much more frequently.

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Do I need a battery tender?