Battery finally dies

[Scott of the Sahara]

Well, I was going to go for a nice fall ride, the sun was out and it was nearing 60degrees. Went to start the Norge and "click".
I had just put the tender on it a few days ago and had it topped off.
I guess it was time.....

I bought the bike new in July of 2010. This is the original battery.
That's right over 9 years of service. I am impressed.

I think I am going to get another one just like it.

[wirespokes]

Good thing it didn't die on you out in the middle of nowhere!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The "Marathon" (Deka) Mazda Miata battery that I installed in a customer's Eldo 9 years ago is finally getting weak, so I installed another of the same. It had never been on a charger or maintainer of any sort. Same with the 14 year old AC Delco 55/6 that's in my Ambo.

[Wayne Orwig]

I had just put the tender on it a few days ago and had it topped off.

Ah yes, another battery destroyed by a battery tender.

And yet, people keep doing it.

 

[usedtobefast]

Ah yes, another battery destroyed by a battery tender.

And yet, people keep doing it.

 

So what should a person do if they don't ride their moto enough to keep the battery charged up?  Are you saying a Battery Tender is a poor trickle charger and there is a better option?

[wirespokes]

I noticed the same many years ago - batteries died quickly using a tender. Stopped using them. The sealed batteries I've been using - like the Panasonic and odyssey, if disconnected don't lose their charge over the winter. Just remove the negative lead and you're good. If they need charging, hit it with a trickle charger for a few hours or over night if it really needs it.

Yes, the tender is a trickle charger, but trickle chargers aren't battery tenders. Leaving one of those things hooked up to the battery for months on end isn't a good idea. Maybe the real expensive ones won't kill a battery, but the ones I had seem to.

[Guzzidad]

   The battery in my Norge did indeed die in the middle of no where last year. Fortunately it was a Friday, not a Sunday. My friend thought our weekend was doomed. I made a phone call to a member on this forum and he made a call to a Guzzi enthusiast near where I was. He came right to my aid with a car and we found the only battery in town that fit right. Total downtime was one hour and ten minutes. My Harley riding friend was totally impressed with the Guzzi comradery. BTW, Wayne Orwig just happened by and witnessed the event.

[Motormike]

Ah yes, another battery destroyed by a battery tender.

And yet, people keep doing it.

 

. At nine years of service, I'd hardly blame a battery tender.  Of course, we could all quit using them, then our batteries would last forever!

[Scott of the Sahara]

I only use the tender about once a month if I am not riding it much.

[normzone]

Is there some way to inter a battery with full honors ?

Perhaps with a 21 volt salute?

[keener]

Ah yes, another battery destroyed by a battery tender.

And yet, people keep doing it.

 

Pleased to say my Battery tender is used on five different motorcycles over the winter revolving  and with some bikes during the whole year as well , AND  all of the batteries are fit to hold a charge well and most importantly ready for a start.....did i mention that the oldest battery is 10 years and the newest one 5.....

YEP i will keep doing it 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have the perfect scenario to kill batteries. The bike sits in SoCal from any where from 6 months to a year. With an Odyssey or any good AGM, I just unhook the negative lead, and it will be fine when I come back. I've done that for years. With a lead acid battery that I had to buy last year, I have the grand kid put a charger on it once every 3 months.
I'm pretty sure if I left a trickle charger on the AGM, it would be dead in a year. *I don't know* about the lead acid, but I'm afraid to just leave a trickle charger on it.

[Cam3512]

Ah yes, another battery destroyed by a battery tender.

And yet, people keep doing it.

 

Fake news.  I keep a Battery Tender Jr. on all my bikes, 12 hours on, 12 off.   All of them last 10+ years.

[Idontwantapickle]

My Norge: "click"

Me: "Has it been two weeks already?"

[Tenni138]

My 2009 Norge original battery is still going. I never had a battery last this long. I think 10 years is enough. I'll have a new battery for spring.

[Scott of the Sahara]

Finding an exact replacement proved harder than I thought. I went to a couple of stores and they did not have the exact battery.
I started looking on line and again I was having a hard time finding the exact battery.
I finally found BatteryMart.com and they had a good price and had the exact battery. (well it isn't here yet)
O well it is raining today....

[Scott of the Sahara]

I was considering going to a local Motorcycle store that sells Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Indian. Turns out they got sold and then they closed the doors.
I really didn't want to mail order it but....
the battery came today and I put it in. Everything went smoothly. Started right up no hesitation.
My only concern is it too a week and a half to get here. But I got the Battery I wanted.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Since I live about 40 miles from Battery Mart's "HQ", my orders arrive in a day or two. I'm guessing (since there's no location listed) that you must live quite a distance away from them. 

[larrys]

I just got a Ducati made battery maintainer for my Monster. Anyone have any experience with one?
Larry

[wicks]

Seconded. All 9 machines with all types of batteries are on tenders all the time (except the daily driver Gwagon) and all remain alive and well for years. On varying types of Battery Tender brand tenders.

Fake news.  I keep a Battery Tender Jr. on all my bikes, 12 hours on, 12 off.   All of them last 10+ years.

[wicks]

Have tried Porsche brand and other non Battery Tender brand tenders, and all have failed before the batteries they were maintaining did. Have only had one BT brand charger die over the decades have been using them.

I just got a Ducati made battery maintainer for my Monster. Anyone have any experience with one?
Larry