Optimate4 Dual Program 12V Motorcycle Automatic Battery Charger Optimiser

This item is brilliant.I own two cars, and one motorbike, so my bike can sometimes sit for weeks without getting used.I have the included battery connector permanently attached to my bike battery, so it really easy to connect the charger to the connector whenever needed.I actually have it connected permanently, when my bike is parked up - as my bike is a Ducati Multistrada 1200, which are notorious for being difficult to start.This item has never failed me, it's been in constant use for almost 3 years now (I'm doing this review, as I got a reminder that I hadn't done it nearly 3 years ago...lol).It also has a battery saver function, which was a life saver last weekend - as I'd moved my bike, and accidentally left it unplugged, so my battery was absolutely dead.I am part of the Royal British Legion Scottish Riders, and needed my bike for the Riders Remembrance Day Parade in Glasgow last Sunday (10th November 2024), so plugged it in and it automatically went to the battery saver function, which sorted me out no problem at all.A great product, and worth every penny... 🙂

So I'm no expert and struggled for ages deciding on which Battery Charger to invest in. This was perfect in the end, both in terms of cost, usability and robustness. I used it to bring my 2016 Yamaha YZF R125 to life, after I left it to go completely flat for several months. This machine was able to diagnose and charge the battery back to normal. The equipment is pretty self-explanatory and if I can figure it out on my own, then I'm thinking anyone can. I would definitely recommend if you want a high quality piece of equipment, but without the technical headache. It's also well insulated and the wires are thicker and stronger than many others out there, making it a more sturdy option. It comes with the external charging leads and also the connectors that you can connect to the battery for long-term siting (I opted for this option). You can also mount it on a wall or something if you have a garage or something like that for storing your bike - it comes with the bracket and everything.

The optimate range have always been pretty good items and the Mk4 is a very good, compact intelligent battery charger. I ordered mine as my battery was strugling in the cold weather and although the charger is showing that the battery is good it has no depth of charge, I think in all fairness to the charger the cold has goosed the battery completely and especially in the mornings I have been resorting to bumping the bike, however for the last 2 nights I have left the charger connected overnight and while the bike is struggling a little on start when cold it is allowing me to start it on the button. I reckon I ran it too long with a dodgy battery before buying the charger. I do rate the Optimate highly and the extra connector to allow the charger flying lead to be connected up to the battery and left under the seat is quite frankly a godsend, as otherwise I have to remove half the luggage racks and then a side panel to get at the battery (Yammy Diversion XJ900) so that is a great idea. Have new battery on order and I think the Optimate will keep me rolling till it arrives. Fingers crossed anyway, the charger is also sealed so its waterproof and compact enough to be connected up, put under the seat and the seat replaced with no fuss at all. I would recomend this product to anyone looking for a high spec battery charger that will also work with Gel batteries.UPDATE and admission of fecklessness!I ordered and received a new battery, thought that I'd just check it with the optimax, it was unsurprisingly fine, but I noticed that when I connected the charger it did things I hadn't seen when I plugged it in to the bike, so back to the bike, double checked the old Optimax battery lead I had fitted and discovered that at some point the fuse in the extension had gone (Muppet!) so switched fuses and it is now going through the full test and charge cycle I might not have a goosed battery after all, Yay, but I may have bought a spare I don't need, Boo. Ah well at least the Optimax is working fine :)

Charger arrived promptly and was as described, automatic battery check and charge as required for a long lasting and reliable motorcycle battery. Starting big 1200 cc twin and running with lights and heated gloves in cold conditions is always reliable with fully charged battery. Easy to use and connect comes with lead for fixing to battery terminals that then plugs in to charger lead, or another lead that clips to battery while charging.

I bought a replacement battery for my bike, but like an idiot I didn't even think about how I was going to charge it! The old one barely held a charge for 3 days and in winter when it needed a bit of extra cranking power it just died all the time.After reading lots of reviews and wanting to be kind to my new battery I bought this Optimate. I quickly flicked through the manual and noticed the recovery option so thought I would give it a go. As soon as I plugged it in the Optimate indicated that it was in recovery mode (automatically) so I left it overnight. Next day I came to it and the green LED for fully charged was lit! Needless to say I left the old battery in and it's working like a new one (it's 9 years old!).Unlike some others, I've had no trouble seeing what it's doing by a quick glance of the LEDs. Once you've looked at the chart in the manual a couple of times you will know what's going on in the future.The alligator clips to the battery are perfect. Very high quality, easy to get on and they stay in place. It's also nice to see another quality cable included that you can wire permanently to the battery so charging is just a case of plugging in! This is quite simply a magic box that will bring your battery back from the dead!