To Tender or Not?

Using the battery tender on the new Harley Davidson Touring models. 2024's compared to the '23.5's. *** One call out, I failed to mention that you could use a second tender to battery cable which comes with the tender and connect directly to your battery for a 2023. You would then just store the stock tender connector and not use it. Managed to leave that out of the video!!
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NOCO SAE Adapter: amzn.to/3PAJMgr (Required to use with Harley Tender)
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Harley Davidson 5amp - includes SAE Connector: www.harley-davidson.com/us/en...
** I am an enthusiast, not a professional. Use my information at your own risk. **

[@jeffreyd681]

A lot of tender comes with a hard wire hook up also. For y’all with 23.5’s that an option to have the directly connected to your battery for easy access.

[@ITFZone]

Yep failed to mention this option, opting to use another tender cable directly to the battery will work with the 23.5's. Obviously then you will not use the one wired into the harness.

[@user-no3go1mz9q]

Another great video. Always interesting and informative. Thanks

[@ITFZone]

Thank you!

[@paulmontgomery4035]

Awesome video Tom. This video put the puzzle together for me. I had the left panel off and noticed there was a battery charger pigtail. But there was also one coming out of the bottom of that panel. Evidently my dealership put a pigtail on the battery and ran it out the bottom of the left panel.

[@ITFZone]

Yes it looks like others are reporting this, I assume you have a '23? I assume they are doing this to be able to keep the battery charging during updates.

[@joehaney1705]

My dealer gave and installed for free a hardwired battery harness a few months ago knowing of this problem doing updates to keep battery charging. Love my dealer.

[@ITFZone]

Wow! That is customer service, I would love your dealer as well!

[@tz1592]

Another great video Tom. I now have 3 HD motorcycles, my newest being a 24 CVO RG in legendary orange. I always keep them on separate 5 amp chargers. About 10 years ago, Harley used to sell the 2 amp chargers...I had them. Learned they weren't as good as the 5 amps I have now. It always feels good to see 3 green lights in the garage when you walk by them.

[@ITFZone]

Green is good! Congrats on the '24, love that color!

[@daddydiesel5889]

Tons of great information here, especially showing the correct sequence of hooking and unhooking the cables to the starter. I have probably 5 of the tenders from Harley, use them on everything. Great job keep it up.

[@ITFZone]

Appreciate your support! More videos coming!

[@cvo121]

I can say you are just awesome man. Very nice info video like always

[@ITFZone]

Not sure how awesome I am really, but truly appreciate your support of the channel!

[@user-bike-hd58]

Great news Tom. You are the man brother

[@ITFZone]

Appreciate your continued support! Thank you!

[@stuartberke5845]

Great job Tom. Lots of really good information here. I'll start using my tender more. Got a little lazy here...keep em coming. 👍. Stuart

[@ITFZone]

Hey Stuart! Keep them plugged in!

[@petebusch9069]

You have to get the Harley version, that sticker makes it work much better.

[@ITFZone]

LOL! Makes it louder for sure!

[@carminecalucciCVO]

Hey Tom, I agree I Enjoy listening to music in my man cave playing on my CVOST I happy it keeps charging from the tender the only thing that bugs me is the headlights and tail lights being on. I wish there was someway we can circumvent this.

[@ITFZone]

Fully agree, either don't turn them on at all or have them time out like on a car. At least they are LED!

[@kmeades43]

More great info Tom. Thank you 🤟

[@ITFZone]

Appreciate you!

[@scottlin777]

I have a 2019 street glide special and if I am not gonna ride for a day or two I tender mine. Still on the original battery. Before this bike I would tender my battery. That battery lasted ten yrs.

[@ITFZone]

Yep 10 years is very possible with a maintained battery. I wonder what we will think of the Lithium versions when we get to 10 years of them being in the wild.

[@user-wy8ei7rq6c]

You are spot on! I found this tender work around on accident. I wanted my charge port to be on the right side of the bike instead of the left, and not enough wiring length on the stock tender to do that, so I went in and hooked up a new tender port straight to the battery. Happy accident!

[@ITFZone]

Yep and it charges with the accessory mode on!

[@electraglidewayne8654]

mounted one of these to the heat shield (Amazon). no dangling wires. "2Pack SAE Connector 1FT 10AWG SAE Cable - SAE Power Socket Sidewall Port to SAE Connector Extension Cable, Waterproof SAE Plug Extension Cord for Motorcycle, Boat, Solar Panel (1FT)" works great. 2024 Street Glide.

[@ITFZone]

Nice! Great idea!

[@user-pj7go6ie4u]

Hook up every time I park. Tender Harness zippy tide to rite hand side of frame 2012dyna😊

[@ITFZone]

LOL! Yes when parked at home be charging!

[@luissoto4204]

Thanks

[@ITFZone]

Welcome

[@raymondgarcia5448]

Hello and thanks for all the good info you provide I was wondering if you could please make a video on what the home link button is for and how to set it up I heard it’s for a garage door opener thanks in advance I have a 24 Road Glide CVO ST

[@ITFZone]

Hello! My understanding is the ST does not come with the HomeLink Module but it is an accessory in the parts catalog. HomeLink like in cars will let you pair with most door openers, gates and even turn lights on connected to a HomeLink module. I feature this in my CVO setup video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2SuqJVji6uVnpY Congrats on the ST! Feel free to reach out with any questions: [e-mail]

[@edtekk]

Was looking for a battery tender for my 2024 RG and what'd you know? Here's a video on it with good sound information. Keep'em coming!

[@ITFZone]

Excellent! Will do!

[@alanincentraljersey]

Very helpful T. When I'm not riding, my battery is always on a tender. I wish I knew about the NOCO 5 A charger. I followed your link and it's $69.00. A couple weeks ago, I bought mine at the dealer and paid $96.00 for the HD model. I had the charger you are using, but they told me I had to use a 5A charger when it's on the tender.

[@ITFZone]

Remember you need the SAE adapter for the NOCO so add $16. For sure there is no "requirement" to have a 5amp version. All will work will just lengthen the time to get to a full charge.

[@alanincentraljersey]

@@ITFZone Yes, I forgot about the adapter. MY dealer gives me $15% off on parts, so this purchases wasn't too bad. I have a portal NOCO GB40 Jump Starter in my car and fortunately have never needed it.

[@terryhopkins5048]

thanks I have a jump device I now know how to hook it up to jump the bike I hope I never have to jump it but know I know how

[@ITFZone]

Yes! Let's hope its never needed. Putting the bike in second, hold in the clutch, get the bike rolling and pop the clutch and hit the starter also works!

[@customgaragemoto7590]

Merci 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ITFZone]

Welcome!

[@lancmac]

I hooked my battery tender wire direct to the battery independent from the factory wiring.

[@ITFZone]

You are most correct!! I should have called this option out in the video!!

[@Jim_Berry]

If you want to use the infotainment for music, you need a charger/maintainer capable of supplying enough amperage that will float the battery at 13.2 to 13.5v. I have a NOCO Genius 10 that has a “supply “ mode for this purpose. I didn’t see supply mode on the 5 amp version you showed.

[@ITFZone]

My understanding is the supply mode is a 12v power supply to power a 12v device. I don't think when connected to a battery it does anything other than supplying a charge to the battery. Now if you connected an amp directly it would power it as a device. The 10 is capable of 10 amps so more power for sure.

[@denis9272]

⭐

[@waterkoppie]

Did you know, that on the "'side" of the bike's battery tender lead connector, there is a small opening where you can check the voltage during charging ? By the way, every one should know that you can charge the battery on the starter terminal : I used to do that when tender leads on the batteries were not yet in fashion, that way the battery could stay in the bike. Or sometimes I made my own tender cable, but just on the positive battery terminal only would do.

[@ITFZone]

I was not aware of a spot to use a meter with on the tender cable! Charging via the starter cable is for sure not a new idea. Appreciate you sharing your experience with the community here!

[@thescrummaster]

Just connect a new SAE Connector directly to your battery… 10min job, that makes it easier down the road. 👍🏻

[@ITFZone]

Yes for sure this in an option if you have that cable. The cable that comes with these bikes is built into the harness so you have to supply one and then roll up the stock one back into the side cover. BUT shortly after posting the video one of the first comments was about this and I was like dammit, should have mentioned this option!!

[@jasonshortphd]

And make sure it’s a tender that supports AGM batteries. Not all do. Using a normal lead acid tender on an AGM battery typically kills a cell in less than a year.

[@ITFZone]

Good point! If you are going to purchase one I would also get one that also support Lithium.

[@asoshkin]

Negative could be attached to any bolt on the frame of the bike

[@ITFZone]

Correct! I was hunting for a known good one close by but there are easier options to get to. I will say that the powder coating / paint on many of the chassis bolts I believe create grounding issues. So if you have a favorite it might be a good idea to remove the bolt and make sure there is good metal to metal contact. Appreciate your comment you are most correct!

[@philpfirrmann7729]

FYI, if you put your tender lead where you suggest and leave it hanging out, after a short while, it will melt. The heat coming off your engine especially in the summer, will turn the lead into a a ball of melted rubber. Ask me how I know.,,

[@ITFZone]

Not sure I have been running this way since I got the bike back in July. Possibly with the liquid cooling this is not an issue anymore! But will keep an eye on it!

[@twinstickwizard3941]

09 streetglide, I plug my tender in every time I pull into the garage. Still has the factory battery and has 90 k miles.

[@ITFZone]

Yep this has been my experience. I replaced a 10 year old battery just cause, but it still passed a load test. I fully believe in using a tender!

[@Big2Wheeler]

Thank you for another informative video. I have the NOCO GB40 for my cars which is the 1000 amp lithium version. You recommend the 5 Amp version that's Harley branded. So is it safe to hook up my GB40 1000 Amp booster to my Harley or is that too much?

[@ITFZone]

The GB40 is a jump box, not a tender. But yes you could jump your bike with it if you needed to. The Harley version of your jump pack is the same 1000 amp: www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/booster-portable-battery-pack/p/66000130

[@Big2Wheeler]

@@ITFZone Thank you.

[@TripleCCC44]

I keep mine on tender also but I’ve never routed it that way. I put it on the back side in between the left saddle bag and seat but it doesn’t rub. That’s the only way I’ve seen others do it (still keeps it hidden). Is it damaging for the plug to be they close to engine especially with the heat?

[@ITFZone]

No issues with the connector thus far. Your frame panel never gets hot to the touch. Now that we have the liquid cooling we should have even less heat back there!

[@roberthicks3706]

I only put the tender on before I ride if been sitting for two weeks or so. I have seen the battery boil over not good.

[@ITFZone]

If your tender is maintaining correctly this should not happen. I have always used one and can get 10 years out of a battery. Not sure but good to know.

[@julianstewart2479]

What silo seat are you riding? I've had a Mustang seat on my 02 Road King and 19 Street Glide. Still running the Harley's stock. The 19 Mustang doesn't fit.

[@ITFZone]

I am running the stock CVO seat, it is a 2 piece seat. Harley has a few options now for the new bikes and Saddleman has been shipping some but yet to update their website. Options are coming quickly now.

[@marvelharris9540]

I started using a battery tender (Harley version) for the first time on my 2022... the voltage regulator died about a month later.. coincidence? not sure, but Ive never had a voltage regulator go out ever. I don't keep the tender hooked up 24/7 anymore

[@ITFZone]

You "should" not have this type of issue using a tender. We do know for sure that they extend the life of a battery significantly and go along way of keeping a battery healthy. If you connect a tender I would be curious if you throw any DTC codes and I would verify your tender cable is not damaged or shorting anywhere. Even so it should not kill your regulator, it would not be sending any power to it. Not sure but understand your hesitancy.

[@terrellgarren7125]

Are you sure that little cable you hooked to the starter has the amp rating to handle a jump box?

[@ITFZone]

The cable I used no, but the one you get with a jump box yes. Just a reference that you can use these connection points to jump a bike with an appropriate jump box AND cable, good call out!

[@jagjr6772]

While you recommended the 5 amp, what is the negative to buying the 1 amp? Harley-Davidson and NOCO sell both and there is about a $100 difference between 5 and 1.

[@ITFZone]

The 1 amp will work for normal use. But if you intend to use the bike in accessory mode you may want the additional amperage to help keep the charge. If this is an infrequent use the 1 amp will work but may take several hours to get the battery back to a full charge after accessory use. Mine is the 1amp but with all of the videos I am eyeing the 5 amp!

[@toddfetterly5457]

Do you think upgrading to a lithium ion battery is worth the money. I believe they weigh about 10-15 pounds less than the OEM battery.

[@ITFZone]

Many opinions on this one. I think for the cost I would not replace a good standard battery unless you are hunting for additional weight savings. When it comes time to replace the stock I would consider it!

[@zavlo72]

my bike always on battery tender. Harley mechanic told me don't spend a lot of time on acc mode. i have 2024 street glide.. radio volume is very underwhelming.

[@ITFZone]

I would not worry about using the accessory mode, with the tender. Unfortunately I have to agree on the stock audio but good upgrade options are quickly becoming available!

[@harleyhawk7959]

people need to know that a battery tender only maintains the level of charge it doesn't charge the battery.

[@ITFZone]

At least the HD one and the current NOCO's will bring a battery back to a full charge. Depending on the amperage of the tender it may take forever!

[@chiefjoseph8154]

Isn’t all this electronic shit awesome.

[@ITFZone]

Love and hate relationship for sure. At least we have all of the soft tail options without too much on them thus far. Most of the time I enjoy the screen but sometimes miss the old gauges. Would really like a second bike that is a vintage knuckle with all manual everything!