new viper owner need advice!

[TD Max]

Battery tender Waterproof 800 is hard to beat. It's a sealed plastic puck that can take about anything you throw at it.

 

[Yamadog]

I figured on the clutch, just picked up sled today, have you guys heard this stuff about not to use a basic trickle charger on battery , is this dealer trying to sell me a certain 13.2 volt trickle charger or is it b.s.

I am using an off the shelf unit on mine. You just run the leads out from under the back of the seat. My dealer does it as standard part of setup and delivery.

 

[bholicz]

I know about the leads but he really recommend me getting the optimate charger (which they convienently stock) so it will charge to full capacity, he said normal trickle charger might only get 70% charge from it, has anyone heard that?

 

[WVTurboLTX]

I run battery tenders on all my toys. My Harley will NOT start when cold unless the battery is fully charged (big bore, big cam, high compression pistons, compression releases) and the battery tender has always done the job. They float the battery keeping the plates from oxidizing, charging it full then discharging it slightly then recharging it over and over again. In my experience batteries last twice as long if I keep them plugged in to the battery tender when not in use.

 

[NOS-PRO]

I know about the leads but he really recommend me getting the optimate charger (which they convienently stock) so it will charge to full capacity, he said normal trickle charger might only get 70% charge from it, has anyone heard that?

#1) I guess it depends on how much you use the sled or not use the sled. This year has been pretty bad for most in Wisconsin and other states just below wisconsin. If you use it all the time, you shouldn't need it.

#2) Last year I rode the sled every chance I could, put it on asphalt to race, then switched it back over to snow so my battery always stayed charged. But I did put on an end that sticks out past the seat so if I had to get it jump started or want to plug it in....I could easliy. My situation s different from yours as your sled will be sitting possibly after winter.

#3) Guess it depends on cost and if you can get a good deal on it.

 

[Mopar123]

Ditch the stock carbides! Mine lasted 50 miles...biggest joke i have ever seen, then dealer tried to tell me i hit something...WTF With both stock ones worn and 1 almost gone??? Nice on a 13k sled!

 

[TD Max]

I know about the leads but he really recommend me getting the optimate charger (which they convienently stock) so it will charge to full capacity, he said normal trickle charger might only get 70% charge from it, has anyone heard that?

I guess to answer that question no you don't need his charger. Now if his charger is priced competitively and he believes in it AND if he is honest and reputable then may as well go for it. I would say definitely stay away from the basic "dumb" trickle chargers though and go with something with digital control. Any charger that is AGM battery capable is fine. It is however handy to have a dumb charger around because an extremely discharged battery can outsmart a "smart" charger and sometime you need to put a base charge in before they will work.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I know about the leads but he really recommend me getting the optimate charger (which they convienently stock) so it will charge to full capacity, he said normal trickle charger might only get 70% charge from it, has anyone heard that?

I am not endorsing one brand or another but the Optimate 3 I bought with my 2005 Vector (new in 2005) has kept the ORIGINAL Yuasa battery purring for 10 years now. Yes I'm sure this is not the norm but the Optimate 3 sure seems to be helping and worth the money!

 

[mtotguy]

I don't think you need to worry about your battery. I have a 2009 Nytro with 9000 miles on the original battery. The only time I have ever had a charger on it is just before the first start each year. I got 3000 miles on my Viper last year. I put it on the trickle charger before the first start of this season and it's good to go.

 

[bholicz]

Got it, he didnt say I had to but strongly recommended it, but I know it was a optimate brand charger but not sure which one, im going there to get my tunnel pack tomorrow so ill check price hes giving me a few weeks with 20% off so I can ride sled and figure out what I want.

 

[Dicker from JP]

Just curious where you rode this weekend. I'm staying in Huntsville. Got here last night. Ran up around Arrow Head and down to Port Sydney all the way across D1023B and back up today. Never rode up here before. These trails are crazy. Tight and twisty forever. Tomorrow heading through Dwight and up to Wolf and Crown Lakes and planning on checking out Dorset Lookout. Probably head up toward North Bay and back on Wednesday. Some of the trails were still tore up from the weekend but over all I've been really impressed with the riding here. It is tough to find places to eat on the trail on a Monday though. Everything was closed today.

I did a run from North Bay to Temagami and back on Saturday. Awesome run. Trailes were pretty chewed up by the end of the day but the groomers were already out when we were heading back to the Pinewood. A recommended day ride for anyone. You get a little bit of everything on this run.

 

[bholicz]

Heading back to tomahawk next weekend for my first ride on new sled, see how it all goes, then ill determine about the carbides then, also I can get the optimate4 for 64 with discount so ill probably get it. Thanks for advice guys.

 

[ViperJim34]

Use the money for the charger on carbides. You will need them 10 miles into your trip if you don't already!!!!

 

[bholicz]

Use the money for the charger on carbides. You will need them 10 miles into your trip if you don't already!!!!

Im going to get them after this trip when I figure out what I want ,ill order all my accessories at once, hes going to give me 20% off everything I get. I understand these carbides might be bad but they have to last me at least one weekend right?

 

[bholicz]

Also when I get new carbides am I safe getting yamaha brand ive heard woodys make them. They stock either woodys or yamaha, does it matter?