[Moe1962]

You don’t have to ALWAYS keep it on a tender if you have the parasitic drain update done. Had mine off of the tender for a month, fired right up, no problem.

Is there a way to know this update was done?

Looking at buying a 2024 so I guess I'll have to ask about it but would be nice to be able to tell myself if it was done.

It can only be done at a dealer with digital wrench. If it was done, it should be in the records for that VIN. The dealer should be able to look it up.

 

[jollyr465]

I don't have that problem with my TS111 on my 2014 Vintage.

 

[Rusty Arse]

Well Lordy Lordy look at this lol, taken off an HD forum. HD even strongly suggests bike on a tender when not being ridden for even a relatively short period of time. Intermingled with oil leaks, oil pump failures, lifter failures etc….Things you don’t see on this forum😀

 

[Baron58]

Here's an idea, if you don't like it, don't read my posts. It's an easy fix.

Like I said, 50 years of riding, never needed to buy a battery tender. If it requires one because of bad design, they should supply one with the bike. No wonder they put the port on the handle bars.

It's not the 1970's anymore, where bikes didn't have computers that draw current. Oh, by the way, been riding for 30 years and used a tender when not riding, and guess what, no dead battery

 

[mark.lb]

Well, went to go for a ride today. The damn thing wouldn't start. My Harley that sat for 3 months started right up, but not my Challenger that only sat for 3 weeks. I have been riding for 50 years. The Challenger is the only bike I have ever owned that needs to be kept on a battery tender to make sure it starts when I want to take it out. God I hate this thing. The 2026s can't come out fast enough for me so I can get rid of this POS.

You spend 30K plus on a Challenger and it too big a pain in the ass to put it on a $40 tender? Please go back to Harley!!! (I’m on a motorcycle road trip right now. My 2025 Corvette is in the garage at home on a battery tender. Because I want it to start when I get home. Good Grief!!!)

 

[IndianaRider]

I get it. Having a system always on probably cellular and whatever runs the fob systems on new bikes. Even with that should be able to go a full week without being plugged in unless it is just poorly engineered. Aftermarket solutions with an off switch for such things would help. It would be tempting to do that just to not fool with it. Only thing that uses any battery power at all on my Victory is the radio for keeping clock time. It only gets on battery tender during winter and can happily sit six weeks if I'm away from home and start right up. Longer than that I might be tempted to use a tender but still probably not necessary. A look at wiring diagrams and a simple switch might be future mod on my future Indian after warranty. Until then my tender will just see more usage. I'll have to check on battery size though I saw something about putting a real battery in the newer bikes to replace the lawnmower size battery.

 

[DyingBreed]

Blows my mind the things that are 'the last straw' or 'nail in the coffin' for people on here and at the same time it amazes me that something so menial will break them.

You'll change your own oil and tires, replace or upgrade parts yourself but GOD FORBID having to simply remember to plug in your battery tender, which takes literally 0 effort, so you can ride it next week.

Being responsible is just too damn hard I guess...

 

[bambam0099]

Is there a way to know this update was done?

Looking at buying a 2024 so I guess I'll have to ask about it but would be nice to be able to tell myself if it was done.

When I log into my Indian Garage account, it will tell if my bike has any upgrades needed. The 'parasitic drain' was already done because it wasn't listed (I called Indian just to validate it).

 

[ferraiolo1]

It literally tells you in your owners manual to plug it it in if not riding it for a long period of time. I guess in 50 years you’ve not owned a rolling computer.

Thought your last straw was a few posts ago though. You should really just ride more 🤷‍♂️

 

[TigerGA]

@Stewie_FL, I imagine it took longer for you to type this post than it would have taken to plug your bike into a tender.

 

[13TAZ]

…

 

[Stewie_FL]

I can't believe the responses I am getting here. Most of you just don't get it. If you constantly have to plug your bike into a tender, there is something wrong. NEVER, in my life have I needed a battery tender. Not even when leaving the bikes sit through long cold chicago winters. Why would I think I need one now.

Unless the alarm is activated, the bike should not be drawing any power when the power switch is off. It's not like it's broadcasting information 24/7. It's not. The app proves that by not updating information. What good is a bike locator when it only updates the location when the bike starts.

The Challenger alarm does not automatically arm like Harleys do. I do not activate the alarm in my garage. So, the computer should be inactive, and there should be no power drain at all.

I have owned a Harley Street Glide Special and a Harley CVO Ultra. Both with automatic alarms, key fobs and GPS tracking, that have sat long periods of time without a battery tender and still started. I know, go buy another Harley then. Ignorant answer.

I live in Florida. Summer is not riding season here. To hot, to rainy. Plus working. It rains almost every day when I get off of work. Yes, if I could ride more, it hopefully wouldn't be a problem.

I looked at Indians for almost 7 years before pulling the trigger and buying one. Believe me I wanted it to be a great experience. It hasn't been. Out of 13 new and used motorcycles of all different brands, the only one I have had issues with was the Indian Challenger. Customer service is pretty much usless. I'm old and may not have many years of riding left. The years I do have, I would like them to be care free, and I just don't see that with this bike.

 

[Lindy]

I guess in 50 years you’ve not owned a rolling computer.

Exactly, modern cars and bikes are indeed rolling computers which are always sucking juice out of the battery. And the draining effect is more pronounced on bikes because of the tiny batteries in them.

The days of cars and bikes sitting for weeks without battery drain is a thing of the past and bitching about how things used to be isn't going to change that.

By the way, the OP is considering a 2026 Goldwing and from what I read about them is that they have 'significant technical upgrades', as well as a new 'hybrid system', which means yet another battery in it to worry about.

 

[IndianaRider]

When I log into my Indian Garage account, it will tell if my bike has any upgrades needed. The 'parasitic drain' was already done because it wasn't listed (I called Indian just to validate it).

Mainly was just looking for way to verify it is done before purchasing. Nothing shows up under the VIN number search on Indian website. Going to ask dealer about it because something like this should be done before selling it is my understanding.

 

[KPaige]

When purchasing my Roadmaster I put it on a tender whenever it’s not risen. It’s been habit for me with my Harley my custom Buell etc any bike that has a computer will have draw on the battery. I put lithium batteries in the Buell and Harley so the maintainers are needed anyway.

your new bike will require one also so would a new Harley.

 

[Lurch71]

It literally tells you in your owners manual to plug it it in if not riding it for a long period of time. I guess in 50 years you’ve not owned a rolling computer.

Thought your last straw was a few posts ago though. You should really just ride more 🤷‍♂️

Dude prob still has a rotary dial phone, dial up internet, and one of those brick cell phones…maybe even a pager aka beeper

 

[DyingBreed]

I can't believe the responses I am getting here. Most of you just don't get it. If you constantly have to plug your bike into a tender, there is something wrong. NEVER, in my life have I needed a battery tender. Not even when leaving the bikes sit through long cold chicago winters. Why would I think I need one now.

Unless the alarm is activated, the bike should not be drawing any power when the power switch is off. It's not like it's broadcasting information 24/7. It's not. The app proves that by not updating information. What good is a bike locator when it only updates the location when the bike starts.

The Challenger alarm does not automatically arm like Harleys do. I do not activate the alarm in my garage. So, the computer should be inactive, and there should be no power drain at all.

I have owned a Harley Street Glide Special and a Harley CVO Ultra. Both with automatic alarms, key fobs and GPS tracking, that have sat long periods of time without a battery tender and still started. I know, go buy another Harley then. Ignorant answer.

I live in Florida. Summer is not riding season here. To hot, to rainy. Plus working. It rains almost every day when I get off of work. Yes, if I could ride more, it hopefully wouldn't be a problem.

I looked at Indians for almost 7 years before pulling the trigger and buying one. Believe me I wanted it to be a great experience. It hasn't been. Out of 13 new and used motorcycles of all different brands, the only one I have had issues with was the Indian Challenger. Customer service is pretty much usless. I'm old and may not have many years of riding left. The years I do have, I would like them to be care free, and I just don't see that with this bike.

What kind of responses were you expecting?? You've already made up your mind several posts ago that you're going to get rid of it...just do that. Why waste more time complaining about it on here??

"NEVER in my life..." Again as everyone has stated, you can't go compare present to past. Your Street Glides and Road Glides likely are at least 5 years old meaning they don't have the computer tech that a newer bike does. Buy a Springfield, Road King, Heritage, Chief or bikes similar that don't have the technology features and a big touch screen like the Challenger and you'll likely not have to be burdened with a battery tender.

"I'm old and may not have many years of riding left..." So spend more time riding and less time complaining.

 

[Baron58]

The OP may have had buyer's remorse right after he bought the bike. Seen this many times. Owner switches brands, friends and riding group have another brand, and the guy is teased made fun of and feels left out. So, he tries to find all kinds of justifications on why his new brand is bad, that way he can somehow justify getting rid of it.

Looked at Indians for 7 years before buying one. I doubt it, otherwise you would have known about putting the bike on a tender.

The most absurd complaint is the lack of Album art on the screen. Music is consumed buy your ears not eyes. And on a Motorcycle, your eyes need to be on the road and around you.

If you visit other forums, you see the same exact things about batteries.

For your info, the computes need power to retain fueling and other data, it's a small draw, but leaving the bike sit for 3 weeks will kill any modern bike battery. AGM batteries also self-discharge, also you bike is a high compression engine which needs a topped off battery.

First time I heard a Floridian say summer is not riding season.

Anyway Stewie, sell your Challenger and buy another brand as you have constantly threatened to. Most of your recent posts have been about your horrible Challenger and you're selling it or trading it in.

Why haven't you. It's obviously time for you to move on. Otherwise whining here makes you seem like a troll

 

[Baron58]

One thing I will say about Indian/Polaris. They fix the issues that come up. It may take time, but they constantly improve their product.

I have owned a 2018 Chieftain, 2022 Challenger and now own a 2025 Pursuit, and I have seen big improvement over the years on things that needed addressed. You don't see that with another particular brand.

 

[endscuoio]

I understand the frustration because you were not expecting.
Id read the user guide to avoid any "surprises" in the future and then I'd do this:

• get a good tender ( me and my dad use them on all our bikes and he uses them on his cars as well)
• I'd look for that parasitic draw update to make sure that was not part of the problem. If it was I'd have them fix it

Cheers