Do you absolutely need one, no. Good idea, yes. I use a CTEK unit that is mounted on the work bench next to the bike. A plug is hooked up to the battery. Every time I park the bike, I plug it in. You'll get mixed reviews. Check out their site and others to learn the benefits. For me, I leave the battery in the bike all winter plugged in. That was the main reason I purchased a charger. One of the auto shows I watch sold me on CTEK.
Do I need trickle charger?
If I take out the bike two three times a week, about 15 miles each trip, do I still need to use the trickle charger? I do not own one yet, and the battery is one year old. Would the trickle charger make my battery stronger and last longer?
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Don't know whether or not a 15 minute run (total time running) will fully recharge the battery.
I would suppose that if you aren't having a problem, then it is ok. Does it still do well that way in the winter?
If I remember correctly, the MOM says if you leave it still for two months or so, charge it.
You don't need an expensive charger, just one that will trickle charge at 1.5 AMP or so (again, from memory).
I got mine from Wal-Mart. Long name, something like Shaumaker or similar. It works fine.
I would suppose that if you aren't having a problem, then it is ok. Does it still do well that way in the winter?
If I remember correctly, the MOM says if you leave it still for two months or so, charge it.
You don't need an expensive charger, just one that will trickle charge at 1.5 AMP or so (again, from memory).
I got mine from Wal-Mart. Long name, something like Shaumaker or similar. It works fine.
Now that you mentioned Wal-Mart... I have one too somewhere. I bought it for my old car many years ago. It was supposed to be attached on the car's battery, with the short cord with the 110V connector. I remember 1.5Amp label on the case. I wonder if it is going to work for the bike's battery.Don't know whether or not a 15 minute run (total time running) will fully recharge the battery.
I would suppose that if you aren't having a problem, then it is ok. Does it still do well that way in the winter?
If I remember correctly, the MOM says if you leave it still for two months or so, charge it.
You don't need an expensive charger, just one that will trickle charge at 1.5 AMP or so (again, from memory).
I got mine from Wal-Mart. Long name, something like Shaumaker or similar. It works fine.
will it make it stronger? no. will it keep it fully charged? of course. Do you need it? no. But i like to keep mine plugged into my battery tender whenever i dont use it. One can be had for only 35-45 bucks which is cheaper than a battery. as was said you'll definitely get mixed reviews but ive used the battery tender for 3 years now on 3 bikes and its great.
Oh, it helped alot when i stupidly left the key turned but removed it. came out the next day and the battery was dead. the charger took like 2 days to fully charge but im alot more careful now.
Oh, it helped alot when i stupidly left the key turned but removed it. came out the next day and the battery was dead. the charger took like 2 days to fully charge but im alot more careful now.
I found my old on-board type battery conditioner (SEARS product and it is labeled as battery conditioner). any suggestion on the connector type? I guess I could find any connector from radio shack or something, buy want to listen to other's experience.
Make certain the AMP amount complies with your MOM.I found my old on-board type battery conditioner (SEARS product and it is labeled as battery conditioner). any suggestion on the connector type? I guess I could find any connector from radio shack or something, buy want to listen to other's experience.
By conector type you mean what to use to connect to the battery, mine has both alligator clamps and screws. I imagine either will work-I use the screws. However, I'm not around my bike right now, and I'm pretty sleep deprived, so my memory could be off.
But if you aren't currently having a problem with the battery starting your bike well, you may not need to buy a connector anyway.
rar
My stock battery lasted 1.5 years. Replaced and added a tender. Now when it is going to sit for more that a couple days I plug it in. Hopefully it will enable the battery to last longer.
Wow...only a year and a half on the OEM battery? Mine is an 01 Classic and I have not had to replace my battery yet. Mine has never set for more than 2 weeks without running though. No battery tender ever used.
I ride daily, so I've had no need for charger. I do have a quite dusty one, somewhere. 
A battery tender is a smart investment. Consider it cheap insurance. Will you definately need it? No....Maybe.....
It's a good idea to hook your bike to one during the winter just in case you don't ride as often as you think you will.
Walley World has one for about $17.00 It does all the same things the higher priced models. I can't remember the name brand starts with an S I think. It comes with the quick connect plug and clips. Schumacher I think...
SEM-1562A - 1.5 amp Battery Companion®
SEM-1562A - 1.5 amp Battery Companion®
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