Battery Tender or Run Bike Once in Awhile?

mikecoscia · November 5th, 2011, 06:13 AM

So it is starting to get too cold to ride the bike. In order to keep the battery healthy, can I just let it run for 10-15 minutes once a week or so? Or is a battery tender a better idea?

W8INLINE · November 5th, 2011, 06:54 AM

The idea is to not run the bike at all during winter months because they say moisture buildup is created and you want to avoid this. Ideally you want to store your battery somewhere heated and check the voltage once in a while. If it dips low charge it but don't leave it on the charger all winter. If you have a battery tender which shuts off if the batter is fully charged, then you can leave it on always

Having said that, I know people who have had their bikes for over 5 years, start it them every couple of weeks and they are still fine and never owned a battery tender

mrlmd · November 5th, 2011, 07:13 AM

Once you winterize the bike properly, leave it 'till you start riding it again in the Spring. Check the battery at least once a month and charge it when needed, don't let it get discharged and possibly freeze. Running the bike for 10 min at idle will not recharge the battery and you may actually be using more of it's charge to start it than you replace, discharging it even faster than if you let it sit.

saxnbass · November 5th, 2011, 07:26 AM

A nice write-up on winterizing your bike:

Part 1:
http://www.motorcycleforum.com/11128...our-motorcycle

Part 2:
http://www.motorcycleforum.com/11159...cycle-part-two

CC Cowboy · November 5th, 2011, 07:47 AM

Eric, I don't know about you but I just winterized my bike by changing the oil (and filter) and I put new brakes and tires on it. Being a badass biker, I ride all winter long. As a matter of fact, it is my favorite time to ride. I might even do a track day in December just to prove how tough I am.

mikecoscia · November 8th, 2011, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxnbass

A nice write-up on winterizing your bike:

Part 1:
http://www.motorcycleforum.com/11128...our-motorcycle

Part 2:
http://www.motorcycleforum.com/11159...cycle-part-two

Thanks, I always put stabilzer in my gas at every fill up as I only use my bike every two weeks or so. I have stands, just need to get the battery tender! Now to do a search and find out how to remove the seat and access the battery terminals...lol.

g21-30 · November 9th, 2011, 05:53 AM

My bike is always ON the battery tender, when I'm not riding it. It is now 3 years old and still on the original battery. I use Marine Sta-Bil in every tank and ride during the winter!

expat · November 9th, 2011, 09:10 AM

I have done both. If you run it, I always make sure it gets hot enough to evaporate any condensation.
These days I keep mine on a tender over the winter but still run them occasionally.

mikecoscia · November 25th, 2011, 09:18 AM

Okay, bought the Battery Tender Jr. I have my seat off and am looking at the battery and just had one quick question before I hook it up. Do I just match the colors? Red to red, black to black? The directions made sure to make sure as some vehicles have a postive and ground and others a negative. Thanks!

Alex · November 25th, 2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecoscia

Do I just match the colors? Red to red, black to black?

Yup.

FrugalNinja250 · November 25th, 2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecoscia

Okay, bought the Battery Tender Jr. I have my seat off and am looking at the battery and just had one quick question before I hook it up. Do I just match the colors? Red to red, black to black? The directions made sure to make sure as some vehicles have a postive and ground and others a negative. Thanks!

If the bike is in an unheated space, I'd remove the battery and bring it indoors.

mikecoscia · November 25th, 2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Yup.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrugalNinja250

If the bike is in an unheated space, I'd remove the battery and bring it indoors.

Really? I called up the company that makes the Battery Tender and asked if I could leave it in an unheated space while the battery is charging and they said it was okay. Hmm. Well I hope to ride if a few more times before winter really kicks in. What temps do you consider unhealthy for the battery that it should be brought indoors to charge?

rwheelz · December 6th, 2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Eric, I don't know about you but I just winterized my bike by changing the oil (and filter) and I put new brakes and tires on it. Being a badass biker, I ride all winter long. As a matter of fact, it is my favorite time to ride. I might even do a track day in December just to prove how tough I am.

Hahahaha come to MT. I will buy your hot chocolate. Got snows?

November 5th, 2011, 06:13 AM	#1
mikecoscia ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Wayne, NJ Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Black Ninja @50r Posts: 12	Battery Tender or Run Bike Once in Awhile? So it is starting to get too cold to ride the bike. In order to keep the battery healthy, can I just let it run for 10-15 minutes once a week or so? Or is a battery tender a better idea?

November 5th, 2011, 07:47 AM	#5
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Eric, I don't know about you but I just winterized my bike by changing the oil (and filter) and I put new brakes and tires on it. Being a badass biker, I ride all winter long. As a matter of fact, it is my favorite time to ride. I might even do a track day in December just to prove how tough I am. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

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November 5th, 2011, 06:54 AM	#2
W8INLINE ninjette.org member Name: George Location: North Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black 250r Posts: 29	The idea is to not run the bike at all during winter months because they say moisture buildup is created and you want to avoid this. Ideally you want to store your battery somewhere heated and check the voltage once in a while. If it dips low charge it but don't leave it on the charger all winter. If you have a battery tender which shuts off if the batter is fully charged, then you can leave it on always Having said that, I know people who have had their bikes for over 5 years, start it them every couple of weeks and they are still fine and never owned a battery tender

November 5th, 2011, 07:13 AM	#3
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Once you winterize the bike properly, leave it 'till you start riding it again in the Spring. Check the battery at least once a month and charge it when needed, don't let it get discharged and possibly freeze. Running the bike for 10 min at idle will not recharge the battery and you may actually be using more of it's charge to start it than you replace, discharging it even faster than if you let it sit.

November 5th, 2011, 07:26 AM	#4
saxnbass ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Nashville, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 CBR600rr Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	A nice write-up on winterizing your bike: Part 1: http://www.motorcycleforum.com/11128...our-motorcycle Part 2: http://www.motorcycleforum.com/11159...cycle-part-two

November 9th, 2011, 05:53 AM	#7
g21-30 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sam Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.	My bike is always ON the battery tender, when I'm not riding it. It is now 3 years old and still on the original battery. I use Marine Sta-Bil in every tank and ride during the winter!

November 9th, 2011, 09:10 AM	#8
expat ninjette.org member Name: Neil Location: Mass Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 05 Ninja 250 Posts: 68	I have done both. If you run it, I always make sure it gets hot enough to evaporate any condensation. These days I keep mine on a tender over the winter but still run them occasionally.

November 25th, 2011, 09:18 AM	#9
mikecoscia ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Wayne, NJ Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Black Ninja @50r Posts: 12	Okay, bought the Battery Tender Jr. I have my seat off and am looking at the battery and just had one quick question before I hook it up. Do I just match the colors? Red to red, black to black? The directions made sure to make sure as some vehicles have a postive and ground and others a negative. Thanks!