I've developed this itch!

[Its Just Me]

OK, so I'm not physically itchy... but with only the second day of "nicer" weather here around Toronto this year (and still a long time to riding season) I can't get the bike off my mind... if I close my eyes really really tight I can smell the grass, hear the kids playing in the yard along with the sound of dozens of farting Honda's!!  So, I pulled the cover off and tried a start... silly me, I was hoping the battery held enough charge to fire up the ride, but reality struck...

So here is my question, since I was planning on mooching a bit of time on a charger a friend of mine has, I never did get one of my own but never got around to picking his up...  what do I need? And is there a specific charger out there one would recommend? 

[Stephen072774]

lots use a trickle charger, but any 12 volt battery charger will work, they are pretty cheap.  (atleast the cheap ones are )

[l3uddha]

I picked up a "Battery Tender" brand from my local dealership. Most m/c stores or dealers will carry them.

I know about the "itch" too. Weather in MA has finally taken a turn for the better & my bike is in pieces  .
I actually dreampt last night that I was riding again. i went over the crest of a hill leaned over, throttle pinned, and my front end broke loose. I somehow held it together then realized that I was riding without any headlight or front turn signals.... wierd.

then there's that other itch....

[scratch]

It is prefered that you get a charger of less than 2amp/hour in order to help avoid boiling the battery (fluid).  1.2 to 1.5 amph is ideal, and I'd strongly suggest the Battery Tender or Battery Tender Jr.

[ducati_nolan]

The battery tender is great because you can leave it on the bike for a long time and it won't over charge the battery, but it'll take a long time to charge a dead battery (overnight) Any 12v charger will work to charge it up quickly.

Of course you could also just push start it and take it it for a 15 minute ride and that should do the trick. Nothing wrong with a little impatience.

If it dosen't start easilly, your gas may have gone bad.

[scratch]

Spring Starting Woes Prevention: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=312.0

[The Buddha]

Tell me about it, sunny and warm all week (50's for the low and I can still wear gear and be protected ) and yet to get too hot to wear gear ... and I have to pull 2 teeth and get my jaw so painfully swollen that putting on a helmet is torture ... No riding for a week for me ... by which time we'd be too hot to wear full gear. Sheesh ...
On the bright side ... daylight savings is comming in early ... booya ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[ledfingers]

i pulled my car up next to the bike, put on jumpercables and it fired right up. Now even a week later it doesn't hesitate to fire right up. and thats after sitting since october.

[shelby_z_87]

The nice thing about the Battery Tender (and Jr.) is that you can permanently attach on end to your battery and just leave it tucked up under the seat while it's not plugged into the main harness plugged into the wall.  I've had mine on there for a while with no problems at all.  Even in the 20 degree weather, my bike started right up out in the garage.  A battery tender is the way to go if you're going to store your bike for any length of time.