Cheap Battery Tenders for all Harley Davidson Motorcycle NOCO 5 vs CTEK MXS 5

If you need a Battery Tender for a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, Victory Motorcycle, Triumph, Yamaha, or any other street racer, then you have come to the right place. We reviewed the two top manufacturers of smart trickle chargers. CTEK vs NOCO

Every car or motorcycle battery in the world needs a quality battery tender, be it lead-acid, AGM, or gel. Why is that?

Keeping your battery in tip-top condition is vital for you to exceed the use-by date, on your motorcycle or car battery. This puts more money in your pocket, to buy upgrades for your pride and joy. Like these cool Yamaha MT07 Modifications.

As I needed a new battery tender for my Harley Davidson 2007 FXSTC custom Softail, due to the battery failing. We decided to review the top 2 new battery tender chargers on the market for 2023.

The best battery tender for Harley Davidson ended up being the NOCO Genius 5 smart battery tender. It will make your stock battery last longer. Read on for how we came to that conclusion.

The top 2 Mid-range Battery Tenders are Noco Genius 5,  and Ctek Mxs 5 

Lets check out their features and specifications.

Best motorcycle battery charger
Features	CTEK MXS 5	NOCO Genius 5
Model No.	MXS 5.0	GENIUS5
Dimensions	6.6 x 1.5 x 2.6 inches	7.7 x 2.7 x 1.9 inches
Max Amps	4.3	3.5 Amps
Voltage	12v	6v, and 12v
Recondition Mode	Yes	Yes
Multi-Step Charger	Yes 8	Yes 7
Included Cables	Alligator clamps, permanent  eyelets	Alligator clamps, permanent  eyelets
Stay Connected 24/7	Yes	Yes
Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Temp Range	-4 to +122F (-20 to +50C)	32°F to +104°F, (0°C to +40°C)
IP Rating	IP65	IP65
Price	$$$	$$
Where to buy

There has been a lot of advancement in the way lead-acid batteries are charged. In the good old day’s battery, fast chargers would just pump in some amps, and your battery would boil away. The side effect of this is you slowly run out of battery acid and dry up the cell. Destroying the battery in the process. Now you’re up for a new battery and having to jump-start your bike until you do.

Check out our No1 pick Lithium Ion Jump Starters for Motorcycles

Quality Motorcycle Battery tenders came to the rescue with a multi step process which works something like this.

CTEK 8-Step Battery tender process

• STEP 1 DESULPHATION: Detects sulfated batteries. Will try to repair the battery by pulsing current and voltage, this removes sulphate from the lead plates of the battery in turn restoring the battery capacity.
• STEP 2 SOFT START: Slowly ramp up current and voltage, this tests if the battery can accept the charge. This step prevents charging with a defective battery.
• STEP 3 BULK:  Charges with a maximum current of the tender, until approximately 80% battery capacity.
• STEP 4 ABSORPTION: Charges with declining current to maximize 100% of the battery capacity.
• STEP 5 ANALYSE: Tests if your battery can hold a charge. Batteries that can not hold a charge over a short time will need to be replaced.
• STEP 6 RECONDITION: This is user selected and during the reconditioning step, the voltage increases to create controlled gassing in the battery. Gasing mixes the battery acid and gives back energy to the battery. Doing this a few times a year can help the longevity of your battery.
• STEP 7 FLOAT: Maintaining the battery voltage at the maximum level of 100%, by providing a constant tender voltage charge.
• STEP 8 PULSE: Maintaining the battery at 95–100% capacity. The tender trickle charger monitors the battery voltage and gives a short pulse whenever necessary to keep the battery fully charged.

Ctek Vs NOCO Battery Tenders

The top two multi-step battery smart fast chargers currently on the market are the Ctek and the NOCO. These two manufacturers are the main players in the Battery Tender market.

Each Ctek vs Noco brand has multiple trickle chargers, to suit different ranges of batteries. From Sea-doo Jet-skis batteries, Yamaha, ATVs, Harley Davidson Motorcycles, and 4x4s. The two mid-range models that can do just about everything at a great price are the new model the CTEK MXS 5 and the Noco Genius 5.

The only real difference is the Noco 5 can do 6v and 12v charging, whereas the Ctek Mxs5 can only do the 12v charging. Not a game-changer if you don’t have any 6v batteries.

Smaller 6-volt SLA batteries will be in things like auto/self-start lawnmowers, computer UPS, and smaller motorcycles.

The Ctek MXS 5.0 has a slightly higher amp charging rate so it is better for larger capacity car batteries. But the Noco is cheaper. WIN

In the end, I ended up with the Noco genius 5 charger as I wanted the ability to charge 6-volt batteries, and the slightly slower charge rate is not a big deal. Hey, you just will be charging a few hours more, so what…

Price, on the other hand, is a big plus for me, I needed quality but also affordability. I didn’t want to buy junk. It’s a great value. Like the old saying, “Buy Cheap, Buy Twice”

If you want to know how to use your new battery tender charger read on…

How to use a Battery Tender for Motorcycles

1. Connect the red clamp to the battery’s positive terminal it should have a red cable. (no need to disconnect the battery leads)

2. Connect the battery tender black clamp to a bare frame or engine bolt, away from the fuel hose.

3. Push the battery tender plug into the wall socket and turn it on. Charge up your battery until 100% then,

4. Turn off power to the Battery Tender and disconnect the trickle charger from the wall socket. You can now disconnect the battery.

5. Disconnect the Harley Davidson battery tender black clamp before the red clamp.

Canbus Charging on Harley Davidson

The NOCO 5 directly supports CANbus charging on Harley Davidsons.

So what is Canbus? Well, it is the electrical systems found on some Harley-Davidson motorcycles and many other vehicles and motorbikes. It is a protocol that sends and receives information like speed, temperature, steering angles, tilt sensors, pressure, user input, and many other sensors to improve the engine fuel economy and overall user experience. Making for a safer and more technology-driven experience.

CANbus stands for: Controller Area Network (CAN bus)

More technical information about CANbus can be found here

If you use a standard battery tender for your Harley Davidson Motorcycle, you will soon realize that the 12-volt charging port is disabled when the ignition is off. Recharging requires the ignition to be on, or direct connection to the battery. Keeping the Ignition on is crazy unless your motorcycle is in a locked-up fortification. With CANbus-enabled technology, the Noco genius 5 charger sends a special voltage signal, that automatically opens a relay and allows charging through the 12-volt accessory port. Nice.

NOCO Genius 5 6V and 12V 3.5A  Harley Davidson battery tender

NOCO has been around for a while as an innovation company. They have many battery-related products like lithium-ion pocket jump starters and top-rated smart battery tenders.

The NOCO 5 battery charger is a dual voltage charger that has the ability to charge 6v and 12v motorcycle batteries, lawnmowers, Jet Skis, ATVs, boats, sports cars, and four-wheel drives.

A very new feature is the ability to charge 12v Lithium Ion batteries which are starting to come out to market.

• Cutting-edge technology delivers superior performance. Charge 2x faster, repair damaged batteries and use with micro-hybrid start-stop vehicles and CANBUS electrical systems.
• Streamlined design that’s ultra-compact, portable, and incredibly lightweight. It features external mounting holes and a rubberized base that avoids surface slipping and scratches, all while remaining impact, UV, and water-resistant (IP65).
• Able to be safely connected 24/7. It monitors battery activity for safe and efficient charging, automatically minimizes energy consumption, and includes spark-proof technology, as well as reverse polarity and overcharge protection. This will be indicated by a problem status LED that will light up, alerting you to an issue.
• Bright intuitive LED indicators provide visual state-of-charge feedback and diagnostic information, even when in maintenance mode.

NOCO G3500 Charging Modes Explained.

1.) 12V Norm Mode Noco

This is the normal charging mode for all 12-volt Wet Cell, Gel Cell, acid flooded, and Maintenance-Free with the G3500 Smart Charger. When selected, by pressing the mode button a white LED will illuminate. Volts 14.5V max 3.5A – Up To 120Ah Batteries. Standard mode for cars and 4x4s

2.) Winter 12V Cold/AGM Mode Noco

For winter charging 12-volt batteries below 50ºF (10ºC) or AGM batteries. When selected, by pressing the mode button a blue LED will illuminate. Pushes out 14.8V @ 3.5A – Up To 120Ah Batteries

3.) Small capacity 12V Norm Mode

For charging small capacity 12-volt Wet Cell, Gel Cell, and Maintenance-Free. When selected, by pressing the mode button a white LED will illuminate. Pumps out 14.5V @ 900mA. Up To 35Ah Batteries. This will be the standard mode setting for your Battery Tender for Harley Davidson Motorcycle. As each motorcycle battery will be about 20 to 30 Ah

4.) Winter Small capacity 12V Cold/AGM Mode

For cold winter smart charging 12-volt batteries in temperatures below 50ºF (10ºC) or AGM batteries. When selected, by pressing the mode button a blue LED will illuminate. Volts 14.8V max 900mA – Up To 35Ah Batteries

5.) 6V charging Norm Mode

For charging 6-volt Wet Cell, Gel Cell, Enhanced Flooded, Maintenance-Free, and Calcium batteries. When selected, a white LED will illuminate. Pushes out 7.25V @ 3.5A  Up To 120Ah Batteries

6.) Special 12V Lithium Mode

For charging 12-volt lithium-ion batteries, including lithium iron phosphate. When selected, by pressing the mode button, a blue LED light will illuminate. Max 14.2V at 3.5A  Up To 120Ah Batteries.

7.) 12V Battery Tender Repair Mode

A smart advanced battery recovery mode 7 step, for repairing and storing, old, idle, damaged, or sulfated batteries. When selected, by pressing the mode button a red LED will illuminate and flash. Higher Voltage 16.5V @ 1.5A  Any Capacity no limit.

8.) Standby Mode

In Standby mode, the battery tender is not charging or providing any power to the battery until required. Energy Save is activated during this mode, only a small amount of power is required from the electrical outlet to power the Noco g3500 unit. When selected, by pressing the mode button, an orange LED will illuminate.

The Noco 5 mid range battery tender is a very well-built charger. It feels very well made and has a nice solid heavy weight to it.

Features

• The new Noco Genius 5 has new technology that delivers superior performance. Charge, and repair damaged batteries, being able to be used with micro-hybrid start-stop vehicles, and CANBUS electrical systems.
• As its ultra-compact, portable, and incredibly lightweight. 
•  It can easily be able to be stored in your glove box when needed. Furthermore, it features external mounting holes so you can mount it in your shed, on a trolley, or even in your car or boat. The rubberized base makes sure it won’t slip around.
• Impact, UV, and water-resistant (IP65).
• You can leave it connected and powered on safely 24/7. It will monitor battery usage for safe and efficient charging, spark-proof technology, as well as reverse polarity and overcharge protection. This is one super safe battery tender charger
• LED multi-colored lights to provide visual battery tender feedback and diagnostic information, even when in maintenance mode.
• NOCO Genius Smart Battery Chargers are some of the safest and most advanced on the market. Designed for use on 120-volt 50-60Hz electrical systems, the Noco 5 includes both X-Connect battery clamps and permanently mounted eyelet terminals. If you hardwire the Harley Davidson battery tender pigtail it will make charging simple. An added bonus was the 10 amp inline fuse connected to the Eyelet cable, as well as a 10 amp fuse in the battery clamp connector.
• A 5-year limited warranty was nice to see.
• The best Harley Davidson battery tender at the cheapest price.
• Download the user manual for the Noco G3500

CTEK (40-206) MXS 5.0 12 Volt Auto 8 Step Battery Charger Review

The excellent Ctek mxs 5 is the latest mid-range battery tender that provides a great deal for the money.

There are many examples of people getting massively extended run times before failure of their car batteries, because of using smart battery tenders. IF you can keep your SLA or Gel battery fully charged at all times you can get 6 years + out of your battery. Without a battery tender, you will be lucky to get 3 years.

Ctek Smart Charger 5.0 Special Features

• Auto charging and maintenance in 8 steps to maximize your battery life.
• IP65 Splash and dust resistance mean it is safe to use in all climate situations.
• Full safety features like no spark, short-circuit proof and reverse-polarity protection makes it one of the safer battery tenders on the market.
• Patented maintenance charge to maximize battery life and performance.
• Many accessories like longer charge lead, permanent eyelet charge leads, and quick disconnect clamps. This simplifies using the same charger for multiple battery applications. I like that there are inline fuses to the clams and the eyelet cables. Just like the NOCO g3500. Great to see, safety is important.

Mathew S

I am a qualified Industrial Electrician for the past 20 years and I love to share my knowledge on home repair and maintenance jobs.

I love fast toys like Motorcycles, Cars, Jetskis, Boats, and Computers so writing about them is easy. Working on them is fun.
To keeps costs down I do all my own mods, repairs, and servicing. These skills I want to share with everyone. DIY is a skill everyone can learn.