Battery Tenders are known to cook batteries when left connected for weeks. They're a very simple tricker charger, and old news by now. The best charger by far (that happens to be recommended by Kawasaki in the manual) is the Optimate4. What kills betteries is SULFATION. And those charges have a very effective automatic desulfation program, which significantly extends the life of any battery. I used to have Schumachers, BT+s, CTEKs, and I like this the best by far. And no modes to choose; everything is done automatically. Plus they have a special CanBUS program for BMW bikes. And they have the same SAE connections, so they worked perfectly with BT terminals. I'd trust this charger much more than a BT to be left connected all the time, but I always disconnect them when the light turns green.
Battery Tenders are known to cook batteries when left connected for weeks. They're a very simple tricker charger, and old news by now. The best charger by far (that happens to be recommended by Kawasaki in the manual) is the Optimate4. What kills betteries is SULFATION. And those charges have a very effective automatic desulfation program, which significantly extends the life of any battery. I used to have Schumachers, BT+s, CTEKs, and I like this the best by far. And no modes to choose; everything is done automatically. Plus they have a special CanBUS program for BMW bikes. And they have the same SAE connections, so they worked perfectly with BT terminals. I'd trust this charger much more than a BT to be left connected all the time, but I always disconnect them when the light turns green.
Battery Tenders are known to cook batteries when left connected for weeks. They're a very simple tricker charger, and old news by now. The best charger by far (that happens to be recommended by Kawasaki in the manual) is the Optimate4. What kills betteries is SULFATION. And those charges have a very effective automatic desulfation program, which significantly extends the life of any battery. I used to have Schumachers, BT+s, CTEKs, and I like this the best by far. And no modes to choose; everything is done automatically. Plus they have a special CanBUS program for BMW bikes. And they have the same SAE connections, so they worked perfectly with BT terminals. I'd trust this charger much more than a BT to be left connected all the time, but I always disconnect them when the light turns green.
Looks like I insulted somebody's child . The Battery Tender Jr and + have been around unmodified for ages (although they have new models for newer kind of batteries). It's only a 3-cycle trickle charger, vs 8 for the more modern ones. And the sulfation process helps a lot returning a battery to maximum power, believe it or not. I still have 2 BT+s, plus many others. But mostly use the Optimate4 now. Guess change doesn't come easy for old farts, huh? Ha ha. And yes, I'm one too (in pretty good shape, and feel young at heart, but an old fart nonetheless). Let's see how many people get insulted by that now . This is the same crap as oil, coolant, tires, gear, helmets, etc threads... in which to each his own. Was just trying to help those buying their first charger. Have a great weekend.
I don't know what is what (trickle chargers, battery tenders, etc.) or if I should feel insulted or not (I do, just in case ) but I have my OEM battery, 60K miles and an Optimate3. Every winter I let the battery seat for a month on the bike, then take it out and leave it a couple of days on the Optimate. After a month or two, just a few days before starting the season, I plug the battery once more on the Optimate for a couple of days. After that is back in the bike.
My '11 will turn three years old next month and still on original battery.
I don't use a battery tender.
http://www.optimate1.com/optimate-3
The Optimate3 looks like a decent battery conditioner/charger/maintainer. Why take the battery off the bike? You should be able to just connect the Optimate3 anytime you like and for as long as you like.