Leaving bike for 4 weeks

[Toolface]

My 05 Triple will be left for periods of about 4 weeks quite regularly when I go to work. Would you guys advise that I get an Optimate (or similar) trickle charging gizmo to keep the battery in decent condition? It will also help the thieves that nick it enjoy their first riding experience.

Cheers
TF

[97TB]

It never hurts to keep the battery trickle charged. It's a smart investment.

Dan

[kuhlka]

You should at least disconnect the battery terminals if the bike is going to be sitting for weeks on end.

[Diego]

I definitely would not recommend a trickle charger, as those continue to force current through a fully charged battery and can eventually damage it. A "smart" battery tender that shuts itself down at a predetermined voltage would be much preferable. (I'm not familiar with the Optimate and whether it actually is a tender or just a charger. I'd encourage you to make sure.)

If a bike is going to be sitting for a month at a time, I would have someone I trusted reposition it from time to time for the sake of the tires. That's also a long enough layup to consider using fuel stabilizer.

[kuhlka]

Or just put the bike up on stands rather than reposition.

[ELP_JC]

Just put fuel stabilizer, and hook up a battery tender (the 'smart' one) once every 2 weeks or so. Don't worry about moving the bike; just maintain the tires at the proper pressure.
And DON'T EVER start the bike without riding it at least 10 miles; otherwise all the condensation stays inside your engine and exhaust rusting everything.

[97TB]

I should have been more specific - I was actually referring to a Battery Tender when I said trickle charger.

Dan