Many motorcycle enthusiasts already know the impact of battery performance on their two-wheeled vehicle. This affects the ignition system, particularly the starter motor, the lights, horn, and whatever electrical accessories you have installed. Needless to say, a properly functioning battery is a prerequisite for motorcycle enjoyment.

With the advent of maintenance-free motorcycle batteries, many tend to take the battery for granted. After all, aren’t they supposed to be maintenance-free? And this type of battery is sealed, so electrolyte need not (or cannot) be added. However, sooner or later users will realize that calling these batteries “maintenance-free” is actually a misnomer, since they still require some upkeep for their proper functioning.

True, checking electrolyte levels and adding distilled water are not required, but you will still have to remove the battery from your bike when if it will not be used for an extended period of time. You will have to store it properly. Lastly, charging the battery while it is being stored is advised, and a battery charger is needed.

So why get a maintenance-free battery in the first place, when it is not truly maintenance-free after all? As mentioned, the activities will have to be done only if the bike will not be used for a long time. But if it will be running 24/7, then none of them are necessary. Batteries tend to deteriorate faster when not in use, so it is best to use your bike as often as possible. Unfortunately, there are seasons and weather conditions to contend with. Inasmuch as we would like to enjoy our motorcycle as much as we can, these factors prevent us from doing so.

For many of us, especially those located in areas with four seasons, acquiring a motorcycle battery charger is necessary for proper battery maintenance and optimum riding pleasure. But will any charger do for this purpose? It seems that there is a lot of this type of chargers available in the market, and their prices vary.

Chargers used in motorcycle batteries fall in the general category of lead-acid battery chargers. There are cheap, simple chargers that supply a constant Direct Current (DC) power and low ripple current. At the high end of the spectrum are the sophisticated chargers, which are capable of diagnosing and charging your battery. Some of these even incorporate pulse technology. This provides the added benefit of breaking down lead-sulfate crystals resulting in extended service life. Of course this is on top of the automatic trickle charge function common in smart chargers.

Your choice of battery charger will depend on your budget as well as your preferred convenience. The advanced, albeit expensive, ones may not require human intervention. Simply attach it to your battery, plug it in, and get back to it come spring. Or you may opt for a simpler but cheaper one, which will require you to test the voltage every now and then and do some adjustments on the charger.

Regardless of your choice, accept the fact that buying this apparatus is necessary for your motorcycle battery to function properly, assuming that it will experience prolonged idle periods. After all, you wouldn’t want to be purchasing a new battery every spring due to improper maintenance on your part, would you?

When purchasing a motorcycle battery chargers, go for a brand that is known for its reliability. There is no point in opting for a full-featured charger that does not get accurate voltage readings. It may end up fast charging your battery when trickle charging is in order. Or it may last you for one season only. Ideally, you want a charger that will last for as long as you have a motorcycle.

Log on to http://www.impactbattery.com if you are in the market for a motorcycle battery chargers. This is the website of a battery and battery chargers specialist. They carry the top brands of these items.

Situated between the Mediterranean and the Alps, the South of France is an all-year-round holiday destination. The summer brings to light the vivid colours of fragrant lavender fields in the Provence, whereas the glamorous Cote Azur lures you with palm tree lined promenades and beautiful beaches under endless blue skies.

But that’s not all – thanks to an excellent road infrastructure, the South of France is blessed with some of the best motorcycle routes in the world. There is a large variety of mountain, coastal and inland routes. In terms of mountain roads, you have the famous Route Napoleon between Grasse and Grenoble. This historic stretch of road is blessed with a perfect road surface and sweeping bends. The fact that Aprilia, BMW and Ducati have chosen the Route Napoleon for several motorcycle launches speaks volumes for this road. Apart from 2nd and 3rd gear turns, you have altitude changes which provide spectacular views. On your motorcycle tour, you will pass through the Gorges de Verdon, which is the Grand Canyon of France. This together with the turquoise Lake Sainte Croix is a nature sight not to be missed.

Two other mountain roads not to be missed are the Col de Turini and the Col de la Bonette. The Col de Turini is part of the special stage of the Rally Monte Carlo. If you’re after hairpins, this is the way to go. Once you get up on top of the Col de Turini, you can stop your motorbike trip for a coffee and enjoy the view of the mountains and the rivers running in the valleys. But make sure you fuel up your sport touring motorbike on the way, as petrol stops have to be planned carefully on this road.

The Col de la Bonette is the highest road in Europe. At 2715m you will enjoy spectacular views across the South of France and Italy. Remember to bring a warm motorcycle jacket, as temperatures tend to drop when reaching the summit. On the other side of the Col de la Bonette, you have a village called Barcelonette. A good place to stop and take a rest after riding these sky high mountain roads.

The coastal roads between Monaco and Saint Tropez can be compared to the Pacific Highway Number One in California. Just outside of Cannes you have the bright red Esterel rocks which sit in contrast to the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Continuing on to Saint Tropez you pass through the villages Frejus and Saint Raphael. Riding in and out of Saint Tropez on a motorbike is pure bliss. As there is only one road going in and out of Saint Tropez, you will be able to filter through traffic in no time. Beats being stuck in a car. On the other side of Cannes, you have three different roads going along the coast. The Basse Corniche (lowest and closest to the water), the Moyenne Corniche (in the middle of the two routes) and the Haute Corniche (highest coastal road). All of the Corniches offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. Something not to be missed is Sainte Agnes – France’s highest coastal village at 750m. One word of warning is to avoid these roads in the holiday month of August. Due to school holidays, the traffic on these roads can get heavy. Best times are between March and May and September to end of October.

The Provence is a motorbiker’s dreams come true. No matter, which route you choose your motorcycle trip past lavender, sunflower fields and various vineyards is something to write home about. And if you feel like taking a break, just stop in the next picturesque village and enjoy a Provencal cuisine meal. Our favourite villages are Lourmarin, Menerbes and Roussillion. If you’re riding across the Provence you should not miss the Mont Ventoux also known as the windy mountain. This gruelling ascent is part of the Tour de France. The lunar like rocks on the summit give way to magnificent views across the Provence. You should also ride across the Alpilles, the Gorge d’Eygues and the Col de Cabre. You will not be disappointed.

Last but not least, the South of France offers sunny weather throughout the year. According to several weather websites, the South of France benefits of over 300 days of sunshine per year. Therefore, the riding season stretches from early March to late October. So no matter, where and when you ride, smiles per miles are guaranteed.

This begs the questions of how to get to the South of France? Nice Airport is the second largest passenger airport in France. Most international airlines serve this airport with several flights per day. As an alternative you can also fly to Marseille Airport. This airport is further to the West and offers the advantage of allowing you to explore the Pyrenees and Spain.

If you’re coming from far away, it will difficult to bring your own motorcycle. In Cannes, you have a large choice of rental motorcycles in South of France including BMW, Ducati, Harley Davidson and others. But only one of these motorcycle rental companies offers you one way rentals, motorcycle delivery and pick-up from the airport and can provide TomTom navigations systems to ensure you get the most out of your motorcycle trip.

The South of France ranks among the world’s best motorcycle regions. Giving yourself one week to explore the Provence, Alpes and French Riviera will allow you to discover some of the French motorcycle tour highlights. If that’s not enough, you can always come back for more. Thanks to the sunny weather, motorcycle smiles per miles are to be had all year long.

Isabelle Schulz is a contributing author of the Columbus International Motorcycling Blog ( http://columbus-international.tumblr.com ) providing information about motorbike tours and motorbike rentals in the South of France