TecMate OptiMate 4 Dual Program
(22 reviews)
The TecMate OptiMate 4 Dual Program charges and maintains your motorcycle or quad battery (3-50Ah), with 0.5V recovery and optional BMW CAN-bus charging.
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Characteristics
- Charge: 1A (constant current)
- Batteries: Lead-acid 3 to 50Ah (STD, AGM, GEL)
- Program: 9 stages, direct or BMW CAN-bus
- Recovery: Flat batteries from 0.5V
- BMW CAN-bus program, the motorcycle benchmark
Detailed overview: TecMate OptiMate 4 Dual Program
The TecMate OptiMate 4 Dual Program, sold under the OptiMate name, has built a reputation among motorcyclists over the years. TecMate is the historic name in motorcycle battery care in Europe, recommended by virtually every major manufacturer (BMW, Triumph, Honda, Yamaha...) to protect their batteries through winter storage or long periods of inactivity.
This fully automatic 12V charger delivers 1A constant current across 9 stages: low-voltage start, pre-charge test, wake-up pulse, turbo recovery, pulse recovery, controlled charge, optimise, post-charge test, then maintenance. It's designed for lead-acid STD, AGM and GEL batteries from 3 to 50Ah, typical of motorcycles, scooters, quads, jet skis and small classic cars.
Its defining feature is the Dual program: program 1 charges the battery directly through the supplied clamps or permanent eyelet lead, while program 2, with an optional DIN cable, safely charges and maintains via the 12V socket controlled by the CAN-bus on equipped BMW motorcycles, without removing the battery or touching the bike.
Its recovery function restarts charging from as low as 0.5V, letting it save deeply discharged or sulphated batteries that basic chargers would write off. Weatherproof and rated for use from -40 °C indoors or out, it produces no sparks and protects itself automatically against short circuits or a disconnected battery.
It comes with a 180cm mains lead and a 180cm charge lead, a permanent eyelet connector and SAE clamp leads, and can be left connected indefinitely with no risk of overcharging. Its main limitation: it doesn't charge lithium (LiFePO4) batteries and tops out at 50Ah, so it isn't suited to a motorhome or a large car battery. For maintaining a motorcycle, quad or small car, the OptiMate 4 Dual Program remains a safe bet.
EAN: 5425006145404
User manual / Instructions for use (PDF)
Comparison
How does the OptiMate 4 Dual Program compare with the other charger-maintainers most searched for by motorcyclists and drivers? Here's how it stacks up against the CTEK MXS 5.0, the NOCO Genius5 and its stablemate the OptiMate 5 Start-Stop.
| Criterion | OptiMate 4 Dual Program | CTEK MXS 5.0 | NOCO Genius5 | OptiMate 5 Start-Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge current | 1A | 0.8 / 5A | 5A | 4A |
| Battery capacity | 3 to 50Ah | 1.2 to 110Ah | Up to 120Ah | 12 to 96Ah |
| Lithium compatible | No | No | Yes | No |
| BMW CAN-bus socket | Yes (optional cable) | No | No | No |
| Observed price | ≈ £82 | ≈ £83 | ≈ £74 | ≈ £75 |
The OptiMate 4 Dual Program stands out for its direct compatibility with the BMW CAN-bus socket, a unique feature in this comparison, and its long-standing credibility with motorcyclists. The NOCO Genius5 remains more versatile with lithium support and a higher current; the CTEK MXS 5.0 targets larger batteries; the OptiMate 5 Start-Stop, punchier and cheaper, leans more towards cars. For fine-tuned care of a small motorcycle or quad battery, BMW or not, the OptiMate 4 Dual Program remains a benchmark.
Related video
Video: OptiMate 4 Dual Program vs. Quad Program: The Ultimate Motorcycle Battery Charger Comparison! - Published on 05/01/2024
Our tester's review: Christophe Delpuech
We tested the OptiMate 4 Dual Program on a motorcycle battery that had sat through an entire winter in an unheated garage, and the result was impressive. Down to barely 2V and written off by two other chargers, it came back fully after one complete overnight cycle. The bank of LEDs looks daunting the first time you plug it in, but once you've memorised the chart in the manual, each stage of the cycle makes sense. The real everyday advantage is the permanent eyelet lead left fixed to the battery, tucked under the seat: connecting the charger takes ten seconds, no need to remove anything. On a CAN-bus equipped BMW, plugging straight into the factory 12V socket (optional cable) makes life even easier. The only real gripes are that the manual could be clearer for a first-time user, and you'll need a different charger for a lithium battery or a larger car battery. For long-term care of a motorcycle or quad, it's a genuinely bulletproof unit and one of the most trusted on the market.
Frequently asked questions: TecMate OptiMate 4 Dual Program
The OptiMate 4 Dual Program (1A) targets smaller lead-acid batteries from 3 to 50Ah, typical of motorcycles and quads, with optional BMW CAN-bus compatibility. The OptiMate 5 Start-Stop (4A) charges faster and suits larger batteries (up to 96Ah), aimed more at cars.
No. This model is designed only for lead-acid STD, AGM and GEL batteries from 3 to 50Ah. For a lithium (LiFePO4) motorcycle battery, TecMate offers a dedicated range, the OptiMate Lithium.
An optional DIN cable (not included) plugs into the 12V socket controlled by the CAN-bus on equipped BMW motorcycles (2004 onwards). The charger then automatically switches to program 2, with no need to remove the battery.
Yes, that's actually the recommended way to winterise a bike. Once charging is complete, it switches to maintenance mode and monitors the battery with no risk of overcharging, even over several months.
Yes, to a large extent. Its recovery function restarts charging from as low as 0.5V, letting it save stratified or deeply discharged batteries that other chargers won't even attempt.
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Published on 30/08/2026