Battery tender a necessity?

[Xodus]

Hi all, been lurking and looking for a mastiff for a while now, but work keeps transferring me (so. cal to vt. last fall, then now to DC). I'm here in DC now for 3 years minimum, and landed in another apartment - so here's my problem/question

I have to park in a parking deck, so no way to hook the bike up to a battery tender - not sure, but from what I read here that would result in a dead dog quite a lot of the time. I've also considered pulling the battery and taking it inside..but not real interested in doing that all the time either. If I ride it pretty regularly (every other day) for 30 minutes at a time, will that be enough to keep it going?

I'm looking at an 05-06 mastiff, I like the 250 and the RSD so thats the years I'm really considering

thanks for any help or ideas - or if anyone knows of good bike storage in the Northern Va. area (alexandria/arlington) that would be an option too.

 

[BorgerBigDog]

Xodus i use mine if i know i wont be riding for a couple weeks or months in the winter. My battery has lasted 3 years now. Every one has there own way of useing the battery tenders.I think alot use theres every day if they ride or not. Good luck and go ahead and get that bike !!!

 

[ChevroletSS1965]

I keep mine on a tender at all times if I'm not riding. That is just me though. I would be nervous leaving my bike in an apartment parking lot. If you have a first floor apartment, just pull it in the living room. What better decoration than a big dog? :up:

 

[waykool]

Have never put mine on a battery tender and have never had a problem. I would recommend using one if you are going to store your bike for any length of time.

 

[barhopper]

Ride it to the bar that is 5 min away. Plug in tender to the watering holes outlet and the drink for a hour or so.

 

[Xodus]

wish i could ride it into the apt. - hell, thought about if it could fit in the freight elevator but i'm on the 16th floor and i'm pretty sure i'd get evicted quick... how could management not understand the need to store my bike inside the apartment?

glad to hear the battery might not be that big of a problem - i'm hoping to commute on it at least 3-4 days a week so it can charge and I get more riding in.

I know what you mean about not wanting to leave it in the parking deck but i guess thats what insurance is for - if i don't do that, i have to wait at least another year to get one, or find a place nearby to store it thats secure

cant wait to be eligible to transfer back west and buy a house - too many damn people in the metro area!

thanks for the replies, now I may go look at the bike I found nearby and see if it works out

~ Jim

 

[ChevroletSS1965]

Totally understand not wanting to wait to get the bike. Hopefully your search for a bike works out.

 

[lee]

if you're going to be riding it 3-4 days a week you should be ok as long as the battery is good

 

[woodbutcher]

just remember, it takes approximately 20 minutes of ride time to replace the juice it took to crank it in the first place. stop and start is not a good thing. i keep mine on a tender if i am not riding. good luck with the bike.

 

[Xodus]

thanks, i'll post pics if i get it - gotta take a look first

I read that somewhere on this site while doing a search for the answer- the commute will probably take about 30+ one way so it'd be enough hopefully (and who says I have to take the direct route )

thanks for the help, this site kicks ass...

Jim

 

[Raywood]

As much as you want one I wouldn't get one without access to a garage both for maintenance and security.

The Battery Tender is "HIGHLY" recommended.

Good luck in your decision and also check out some of those clam shell covers if you have a permanent parking spot.

 

[LDO]

Dang it all to hell.

Just when you think you have a solid plan, somebody comes by with some shit in writing to screw it all up!:roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[BorgerBigDog]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[JJBlue]

thanks, i'll post pics if i get it - gotta take a look first

I read that somewhere on this site while doing a search for the answer- the commute will probably take about 30+ one way so it'd be enough hopefully (and who says I have to take the direct route )

thanks for the help, this site kicks ass...

Jim

It gets pretty cold in Columbia during the winter and I had problems starting my AIH. I have assigned parking in military housing. I have two dedicated spots. Not sure if you would have that there.

Anyway, I plug my tender into my truck and plug it into the quick connect of the bike every night. I park pretty close to the truck and leave the bike covered with the bike cover. Nobody f**ks with it. The truck's accesory plug is always on and the truck has never had an issue.

I live 2 minutes from work and the bike sits from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m until it's time to ride home. No issues starting then either.

 

[LDO]

Xodus,
the way I see it, you have a few options.

#1 Rent a storage unit to keep the bike at. Not sure if you can rent one with an outlet for your trickle charger.

#2 WAIT! (I know, alot easier said than done )
Use this time to make sure the Mastiff is what you want, etc. The way I see it, the market is only going to get better for the buyer. Besides, the world is full of assholes and all it takes is one to hate you for what you have and scratch it or mess with it.
Not sure about you but I couldn't sleep at night if my bike was sitting outside.

my :zz2cents: x2

Good luck.:2thumbs:

 

[T.Byrd]

Keep mine on tender when Im not on it.

 

[Xodus]

Dang it all to hell.

Just when you think you have a solid plan, somebody comes by with some shit in writing to screw it all up!:roll: :roll: :roll:

don't I know it...

Tired of waiting, but don't want to get it just to have some douchebag scratch it / steal it / otherwise fuck with it ... because 'someone' would have to punch them in the skull as punishment...then that someone would get blamed and sent to jail

I like the "capsule" idea i saw in another thread, but again the douchebaggery-factor would step in and someone would pop the capsule and screw with the bike anyway, so thats out

decisions decisions...

you just can't have nuthin' nice:bang: :bang: :bang:

 

[LDO]

We have a member here that had his freaking custom gas cap stolen right off his bike while he was inside a shop!

Yeah, you are right, douchebags are everywhere.

You can keep it at my place if you like...

 

[Xodus]

You can keep it at my place if you like...

now thats brotherhood

thanks for the help and ideas fellas...hope to join in the fun sooner than later

 

[Cutter]

Xodus,
the way I see it, you have a few options.

#1 Rent a storage unit to keep the bike at. Not sure if you can rent one with an outlet for your trickle charger.
Good luck.:2thumbs:

If there is a light bulb inside - any hardware store sells outlets that would screw into the bulb socket.