2009 R1 Battery: Recommended Charger?

According to the Owner's Manual, the new R1 has a Yusa YTZ10S Valve Regulated Lead Acid battery, and "a special constant-voltage charger is required and a conventional charger will damage the battery". However, they do not list acceptable chargers. I typically use an Optimate II or III. Will these do or is some other make or model required? Thanks. DrJ

Might wanna contact several dealers to get multiple answers since some dealers may be wrong. At the same time, contact Yamaha about it.

I have been using the SmartCHARGER by SP Technology on my 2007 Yamaha R1 for over a year and haven't had a battery problem since! When I first got my new bike, if I didn't ride for just a week the battery would die because of Lo-jack. Also, I needed a new battery after 8 months. Since then I keep the SmartCHARGER on my bike when I'm not riding and my battery is never dead and it's been over a year and a half and I'm still on the same battery! I would recommend this charger to anyone!

Yamaha reportedly recommends the Optimate 3 or 4... DrJ

I'm not saying not to use the Optima if that's what they recommend and you like. I'm just saying that I personally use the SP Smart Charger and I love it and haven't had any battery problems since. I'm pretty sure all the smart chargers out there are capable of charging any AGM, or wet cell lead acid battery, which is what almost all motorsports equipment use.

So -- can i get a compatible charger from someplace locally for my 2009? Not so much worried about price or brand, just a charger that i can put on my bike because i am having some rough start issues that are draining my battery currently... and i need it asap for my track day weekend! :) Thanks!

Use what you have, it will work fine. The YTZ's have been in service for years, nothing new. The warning really pertains to people who use "automotive" style chargers that will put out 10+ amps which will quickly cook a small motorsports battery.

I use the Opimate III, it does everything it needs to do to keep your batter running fresh, it's not just a tender. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJDMLS

I mean -- is there something at "Pep Boys" I can pick up tomorrow that is safe?

I just ended up grabbing a "Tender Jr"... seems to work well. I hardwired in the terminal connection and have it stubbed up on the side of the bike for quick connecting when in the shop.

Keeping your battery from going dead (i.e. tender) in the first place will make your battery last much longer than letting it go dead and then recharging it. Glass mat batteries (YTZ's) can sulfate very heavily when they undergo large charge/discharge cycles, which can just about ruin the battery.

Agreed. I should have had one before now...

We've kept our batteries on a 10-bank Battery Tender unit. No issues either. Works the same as a Battery Tender Junior. :) http://www.ridersdiscount.com/forum/tools/tools_battery_tender_10_bank_5.jpg