Alright, Ducatis do not come from the factory with a battery tender connector.

[JulesMaximus]

Update: Turns out the dealer installed it because the battery is such a bitch to get to on this bike. It seems that many Ducati dealers install this on customer bikes though as part of the final setup.

Was really nice to find that I didn't have to buy anything just to make sure my battery is fully charged all the time.

 

[Fenixgoon]

that's definitely a nice touch. it would save me from taking off the main seat on my bike ><

 

[JulesMaximus]

that's definitely a nice touch. it would save me from taking off the main seat on my bike ><

It's worse on my bike. The battery is underneath the gas tank.

My friend said his Ducati came with the battery tender connector too though and his bike is a few years older than mine (his battery is under the seat).

 

[jlee]

That's really nice...I had to put one on mine.

 

[Zenmervolt]

IIRC BMW does as well, or at least they used to. Though it may have been a proprietary plug in that case.

ZV

 

[Apex]

Do bike battery tenders have standard plugs? Most car ones use clamps.

 

[Elganja]

Do bike battery tenders have standard plugs? Most car ones use clamps.

Battery Tender Jr.'s come with a cable like this:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Battery Tender Jr.'s come with a cable like this:

That seems to be the universal standard for bikes. My Ducati has that connector and it works perfectly with my off the shelf battery tender.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

The dealer probably installed it.. Very common with 'upmarket' dealers (BMW, Duc, Aprilia, etc) where they're second bikes that tend to sit.

 

[LTC8K6]

The dealer probably installed it.. Very common with 'upmarket' dealers (BMW, Duc, Aprilia, etc) where they're second bikes that tend to sit.

Yes. The dealer was probably using it to keep the battery in good condition while they sit waiting to be sold.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yes. The dealer was probably using it to keep the battery in good condition while they sit waiting to be sold.

Perhaps, but I had to put a deposit down to secure this bike. As soon as it came in I arranged to have my friend drive me down there the next Saturday to pick it up. They have taken delivery of 4 of my particular model and the first 2 were already sold. The 3rd wasn't there but a week and now they have another red/white Monster 1100 EVO. I'm planning on riding over there tomorrow so I'll see if it is still there.

Many dealers don't even install the battery until they have a buyer.

 

[alkemyst]

When manufacturers look for pennies to cut, you really wonder why a $5 item that they can probably sell at the parts counter for $20+ is not included?

 

[LTC8K6]

When manufacturers look for pennies to cut, you really wonder why a $5 item that they can probably sell at the parts counter for $20+ is not included?

It could be a scheme to sell Battery Tenders. Customers see the connector and come back to ask the dealer what it's for...

 

[JulesMaximus]

When manufacturers look for pennies to cut, you really wonder why a $5 item that they can probably sell at the parts counter for $20+ is not included?

The part retails for $6.99. I'm sure Ducati could source it for much less than that.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=7&L3=&L4=&item=DEL_081-0069-6_G

I put one on my last bike and on the bike before that. I'm pretty sure that the bikes ship from Italy without a battery or fluids. Those are part of the final assembly done at the dealer. I'm planning on stopping by there tomorrow so I'll ask them if it comes from the factory or if that is something the dealers install because now I'm curious.

 

[IcePickFreak]

The buddy I know with the 999 Duc didn't have one on it when he got it. The first time I stopped over and seen the bike he was actually putting one of those connectors on it. It's an 06 though.

 

[jlarsson]

It's dealer installed. My Ducati didn't come with it, but the dealership said they'd install a battery tender connector when prepping the bike for delivery.

 

[FiLeZz]

my ducati did not have one I had to add it myself.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I'll buy a connector for $5 and pay $4,000 less for a superior Japanese bike.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'll buy a connector for $5 and pay $4,000 less for a superior Japanese bike.

I didn't want the same cookie cutter bike everyone else has. Sorry.

Besides, my bike actually cost a lot less than a new Japanese 1000cc supersport.

2011 ZX10R $13,799
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO $11,999

Let's not derail yet another thread with a bunch of penis measuring though.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Perhaps, but I had to put a deposit down to secure this bike. As soon as it came in I arranged to have my friend drive me down there the next Saturday to pick it up. They have taken delivery of 4 of my particular model and the first 2 were already sold. The 3rd wasn't there but a week and now they have another red/white Monster 1100 EVO. I'm planning on riding over there tomorrow so I'll see if it is still there.

Many dealers don't even install the battery until they have a buyer.

In my experience the better dealers install them as part of the pre purchase inspection. I've seen this personally with Triumph and Ducati, but I know that BMW does it as well. Next time you're at the dealer check a couple of the showroom bikes..

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I'll buy a connector for $5 and pay $4,000 less for a superior Japanese bike.

I've owned plenty of both and I'd rather have something with character.. Unless you think bikes are soulless tools (which is fine..)

 

[Hail The Brain Slug]

You don't need a battery tender if you buy the right battery.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I didn't want the same cookie cutter bike everyone else has. Sorry.

Besides, my bike actually cost a lot less than a new Japanese 1000cc supersport.

2011 ZX10R $13,799
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO $11,999

Let's not derail yet another thread with a bunch of penis measuring though.

seeing as the monster is in a different class than the japanese supersports (i believe the corresponding ducati is the 998), there isn't a comparison.

and 100% agreed - no need to trainwreck this thread. all bikes are sexy and awesome (except maybe harleys minus the v-rod)

 

[alkemyst]

seeing as the monster is in a different class than the japanese supersports (i believe the corresponding ducati is the 998), there isn't a comparison.

and 100% agreed - no need to trainwreck this thread. all bikes are sexy and awesome (except maybe harleys minus the v-rod)

QFT...Monster is sold to the masses.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You don't need a battery tender if you buy the right battery.

A bike that gets ridden doesn't need a battery tender and mine get ridden. It's when you leave a bike sitting or if you have multiple bikes that you really need a battery tender.

I like having the peace of mind that I can top up the battery every few weeks just to make sure it is in tip top condition. The battery on my last bike was 3.5 years old and even after sitting a month after I bought the new bike it started right up.