[Geraldspear]

New to ATV ownership and this forum. Tried to do a search for this one didn't find it.

I have a 2001 Rancher 350 Manual shift and am wondering if the battery on these bikes recharge when the motor is running? Like a car. I am also wondering if I need to get a trickle charger for the bike while in storage. I live in Canada, well below zero these days and was hoping if I just ran the bike at least once a week I would be okay?

 

[alloutdoors]

I would not count on the bike being able to maintain a battery given low use, etc., and strongly encourage you to invest in a very good trickle/maintainer.

 

[reddogge]

Battery Tender Jr. Keeps mine in tip top shape.

 

[_Wilson_]

That's on my list ^^^^^^^

 

[alloutdoors]

I use these routinely, https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Pack-Deltran-Battery-Tender-Jr-Model-021-0123-Maintainer-Charger-12V-750mA/125183147?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=4739&adid=22222222227064022949&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=169535338997&wl4=pla-340282807157&wl5=9022724&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113942855&wl11=online&wl12=125183147&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[mrbb]

the older atv;'s like this I think you will be fine if you run the atv every so often, BUT by RUN it I mean ride it a few miles, not just start it and let it idle for 10 minutes and shut it down
it takes a while to charge a battery off running the machine

I kept my atv like this, on a farm for 10 yrs, NO power, so no way to charge it vie a trickle charger
below freezing temps in winter, 100+ in summer
sat some times for 3-6 weeks not getting started or used, and then weeks it got used every day 8+ hrs a day
batterys lasted me about 5 yrs a pop, before needing replacing
I am sure with a trickle charger I might have gotten maybe 6-7 yrs, so you are giving up some life on the battery
but not too bad if you ask me?

 

[alloutdoors]

I kept my atv like this, on a farm for 10 yrs, NO power, so no way to charge it vie a trickle charger

I am sure everyone has seen these, but wanted to mention in those no power areas, the solar trickle chargers have come a long way and may be an option.

 

[shadetree]

I kept my atv like this, on a farm for 10 yrs, NO power, so no way to charge it vie a trickle charger

I am sure everyone has seen these, but wanted to mention in those no power areas, the solar trickle chargers have come a long way and may be an option.

which means, you would need to park it out in the open for sun, uncovered..hmmmmm...lol. I thought about getting one of these for my jet ski ?, but sense I park it under my carport cover in the back yard, decided, meh, no use for it..lol. I ran me a cord out there, and plug my battery jr. tender to my ski, and I can see the little green light at night when I look out my bed room window..lol.

 

[alloutdoors]

[/QUOTE] I am sure everyone has seen these, but wanted to mention in those no power areas, the solar trickle chargers have come a long way and may be an option.[/QUOTE] which means, you would need to park it out in the open for sun, uncovered..hmmmmm...lol. I thought about getting one of these for my jet ski ?, but sense I park it under my carport cover in the back yard, decided, meh, no use for it..lol. I ran me a cord out there, and plug my battery jr. tender to my ski, and I can see the little green light at night when I look out my bed room window..lol.[/QUOTE]

You are correct, sun is required, LOL. For my fishing boat, which is stored in a barn in full sun, the solar panel is mounted on the outside tastefully (the wife requested that addition be approved, LOL) and ran the wire/plug to the boat and works like a champ.