Battery Tenders - should you use them or not?

[cjr00]

Yay or Nay? what do you say?

[Gbham]

Use one. Battery still good on 2016 model and 20,000 miles

[beerandchips]

100 percent yes. Great investment.

Steve

[Saluda]

Yes. (Site says yes is too short an answer so added this)

[EdMat]

If you have a Costco nearby they have the Battery Tender 4 Amp charger/Maintainer on sale for $34. Larger than one of their maintainer only units but offers a lot more.

[Gwolf]

Just got a new one for the mower. It don't get started as much in the winter, and battery gets weak from just sitting there for a month.

[Navydad]

I never used one for many years and never had a problem, but todays motorcycles are constantly drawing a current from the battery and if not ridden for a longer period such as a cold weather spell the battery will discharge to a point where it won't start the bike. Short answer, YAY.

[SLICE]

100% yes

[Bfromla]

They have merit https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...rge-maintainer

[Peacekeeper6]

Yes, without a doubt.

Your Spyder draws current just sitting there. For a mere $30, you can buy a Battery Tender and hook it up during the winter to prevent a dead battery in the spring.

I've used mine for my Yamaha Waverunner, Harley and Spyder RTL with excellent results.

[Motorcycledave]

Yay or Nay? what do you say?

In a word YES, but only if you want your battery to last longer

[UtahPete]

Yay or Nay? what do you say?

Are you asking about the brand or the category?

[tntnj]

When not riding , It is plugged in . (even after a ride it still says the battery is not fully charged) SO YES!!

[Don60]

Yes, have used one on all toys! ATVs, lawnmowers, motorcycles and Spyders!

[Peter Aawen]

I don't think the question is sufficiently covered by a simple Yay or Nay answer, cos it's juuust a tad more complex than that!

If you're riding your Spyder every week or so, &/or always running it for at least 30 mins or so at better than 'just poking around town' speeds, then you really shouldn't need to use a battery tender or maintainer (and remember, those two things aren't necessarily the same thing either! ) and if you do, you may well be shortening the potential life of your battery, if not killing it! Plus, if you always use a tender when not riding, you could easily 'hide' a dead or dying battery until it's too late! If you are doing that thru 'less than ideal/appropriate tender use', then you'll most likely only find out that your battery is no longer up to keeping your Spyder running &/or start it when you are away from home!! So if by using a tender too much, you are actually misusing it instead, then Nay!

But if you only ever do short/slow runs, so the tender is needed to top up the battery between rides; if you're leaving your Spyder sitting around for weeks or months at a time between longer/faster runs & your battery will be noticeably discharging between rides; or if you're storing or laying up your Spyder for a longer while, like over an extended holiday or winter/snow season; then sure, use a battery tender, or better yet, a tender/maintainer - they can be a great device to help keep your battery in good condition and in those circumstances, your question warrants a Yay answer!

So instead of a straighforward Yay/Nay answer, it really should be a 'given appropriate use for your specific riding/charging needs/conditions, then a battery tender might be a useful tool to help you keep your Spyder & its battery in good operational condition'!

Cheers

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I don't think the question is sufficiently covered by a simple Yay or Nay answer, cos it's juuust a tad more complex than that!

If you're riding your Spyder every week or so, &/or always running it for at least 30 mins or so at better than 'just poking around town' speeds, then you really shouldn't need to use a battery tender or maintainer (and remember, those two things aren't necessarily the same thing either! ) and if you do, you may well be shortening the potential life of your battery, if not killing it! Plus, if you always use a tender when not riding, you could easily 'hide' a dead or dying battery until it's too late! If you are doing that thru 'less than ideal/appropriate tender use', then you'll most likely only find out that your battery is no longer up to keeping your Spyder running &/or start it when you are away from home!! So if by using a tender too much, you are actually misusing it instead, then Nay!

But if you only ever do short/slow runs, so the tender is needed to top up the battery between rides; if you're leaving your Spyder sitting around for weeks or months at a time between longer/faster runs & your battery will be noticeably discharging between rides; or if you're storing or laying up your Spyder for a longer while, like over an extended holiday or winter/snow season; then sure, use a battery tender, or better yet, a tender/maintainer - they can be a great device to help keep your battery in good condition and in those circumstances, your question warrants a Yay answer!

So instead of a straighforward Yay/Nay answer, it really should be a 'given appropriate use for your specific riding/charging needs/conditions, then a battery tender might be a useful tool to help you keep your Spyder & its battery in good operational condition'!

Cheers

.... this is the Best answer for many reasons ...... let me add " battery Tender " is a Brand name, anything labeled as a " BATTERY MAINTAINER " is what you need ..... Mike....PS I have the 1330 eng. w/larger Alternator so I only use it if the Spyder is going to sit for an extended period of time ...

[cjr00]

the category...looks like it's overwhelmingly YAY!

[troop]

No brainer .. Use them year round on my bikes.

[Little Blue]

Yay or Nay? what do you say?

Simple answer ....... YES.

Long answer, be careful about what type of Battery charger/ maintainer you use. As some types are not your friend, they can actually do harm to your Battery.

Ask me how I know. Been there and done the wrong things.

[trikermutha]

Would 9 years on the same battery help you decide and always used a Battery Tender.

[Deanna777]

Yes, use a battery maintainer.



Deanna

[Mikey]

If you are going to store your bike for a great length of time, yes, if you're using it between rides, I think it's a waste of time, ride it!!!

[Grayfox]

Yay or Nay? what do you say?

All the time

[ferrasr]

I use battery maintainer for the long winter storage months in Alberta. Put battery maintainer on once a month for about 2 days then take it off which helps my peace of mind in not leaving it on all the time and maybe having some electrical/battery issues. I also add fuel stabilizer, pump the tires up to the max air and even roll it forwards and backwards monthly to help avoid tire flat spots. Have been doing this with motorcycle storage for over 30 years, seem to work for me.

[Northofthesix]

Mine is on a maintainer whenever I am not riding... 2018 still on the factory battery with no issues so I am quite happy with how it does.