Like the car battery, the
motorcycle battery
is one of the essential elements that ensure the proper start of your vehicle. A motorcycle battery failure is never welcome and can prevent you from fully enjoying your motorcycle before, for example, going on a weekend. Fortunately, there are a few tips and advice for maintaining a motorcycle battery and extending its lifespan. By ensuring the maintenance of your motorcycle battery and opting for rather high-end motorcycle batteries, you could thus enjoy your motorcycle battery for ten years without having to change it (compared to two or even three times less time with a low-end and unmaintained motorcycle battery).
When the situation requires it, replacing a motorcycle battery can be done very easily.
The majority of bikers with skills in car / motorcycle maintenance will easily be able to get started with replacing a broken or discharged motorcycle battery.
It is, by experience, quite rare to have recourse to the services of a professional for this type of operation, and useless to have access to a hydraulic motorcycle lift.
In any case, it is better to take the time to choose your motorcycle battery.
Our top 7 best motorcycle batteries and our answers to all your motorcycle battery maintenance and replacement questions are here to help you make the right choice.
Our selection :
Motorcycle battery charger GYS Artic 800
Dunlop Z10 Battery Charger
Bosch M6014 motorcycle battery
Motorcycle battery Fulbat Gel FTX9-BS
Motorcycle battery YUASA YTX9-BS
Motorcycle battery YUASA YTZ14S
Motorcycle battery SHIDO LTX9-BS Lithium Ion
Which motorcycle battery to choose?
The choice of a motorcycle battery depends on a whole bunch of criteria including the type of motorcycle battery, the size, the charging capacity and the life of the motorcycle battery, or the price of the motorcycle battery.
The different types of motorcycle batteries
There are several types of motorcycle batteries on the market today with different characteristics:
the conventional motorcycle battery: this is the most classic motorcycle battery model, the one most often found on two wheels.
It is easily identified by the presence of the filling buttons and by its often translucent case which allows the acid level to be checked in the blink of an eye;
the maintenance-free motorcycle battery (BSE): ideal for those who are reluctant to check the condition of their motorcycle battery before each ride, the maintenance-free motorcycle battery offers a certain comfort of use;
the AGM motorcycle battery (Absorb Glass Mat): it is made up of fiberglass separators and contains liquid electrolyte for better starting capacity of the motorcycle;
the lithium motorcycle battery: very popular in recent years, this type of motorcycle battery is lighter than lead-acid batteries, faster to recharge, maintenance-free and can be used in all positions.
The high price of these lithium or lithium ion motorcycle batteries is the main obstacle to enjoying these advantages.
The characteristics of the different motorcycle batteries
Not all motorcycle batteries have the same characteristics in terms of size, load capacity or even lifespan.
On your motorcycle, the dimensions of the space dedicated to the battery differ according to the motorcycle models.
When replacing your motorcycle battery, you will therefore need to choose a motorcycle battery of the same size as the model already in place.
In terms of longevity, a maintenance-free motorcycle battery has a shorter lifespan than a well-maintained conventional motorcycle battery.
Other things like the polarity of the motorcycle battery can also be taken into account when choosing a motorcycle battery.
The price of the motorcycle battery
With very different performance, lifespan and maintenance requirements, it's pretty easy to guess that not all motorcycle batteries are marketed at the same price. On average, you will need between thirty euros and a hundred euros, or even a little more, depending on the type and quality of the motorcycle battery. Among the most economical models, the conventional motorcycle battery is also the type of motorcycle battery that requires the most maintenance under penalty of seeing its lifespan melt very quickly. More expensive to buy, the motorcycle gel battery is also the one that offers the best performance in terms of resistance to jolts and accidents. In practice, it is advisable not to focus solely on the price of the motorcycle battery,but more on your specific needs.
How do I recharge my motorcycle battery?
To recharge your motorcycle battery, all you have to do is remove the battery from your motorcycle and connect it to the appropriate charger. When doing this, be sure to connect the correct wire to the correct terminal (the red wire with the positive terminal, and the black wire with the negative terminal). Then connect the charger to the conventional electrical circuit of your home and let your motorcycle battery charge for several hours (the charging time differs depending on the motorcycle battery model). Note that on certain motorcycle models fitted with specific batteries, it may not be useful to remove the battery. It is then sufficient to connect a specific charger directly to one of the on-board sockets of the motorcycle battery. For security reasons, it is also strongly advised not touse a car charger to charge the battery of a motorcycle (the power is not the same).
Why is my motorcycle battery discharging?
You have not used your motorbike during the winter, too busy thinking about your desires for a warm trip at home, and you notice in the spring that your motorbike battery is discharged?
This mishap happens to many bikers who underestimate the capacity of a motorcycle battery to discharge itself "on its own".
Even when the motorcycle is stationary, a battery continues to consume energy, and therefore to discharge.
This is called the self-discharge phenomenon which can lead to a complete discharge of the motorcycle battery.
This phenomenon is often quite slow (1% self-discharge per day for motorcycle batteries in good condition).
If you notice your motorcycle battery draining much faster, it could be a sign of an end-of-life motorcycle battery.
How to maintain my motorcycle battery?
The maintenance of a motorcycle battery is mainly carried out in winter, when the motorcycle is in the garage. If you do not plan to use your motorcycle for several months, it is advisable to disconnect the battery from your motorcycle and store it flat, in a place protected from cold and humidity. To optimize the life of your motorcycle battery, it is best to fully charge the battery before removing it. If you decide not to remove the battery from your motorcycle during the wintering period, remember to regularly check the charge level of your motorcycle battery. Simply switching on your motorcycle's lights after switching on the ignition is enough to identify whether your motorcycle's battery still has a minimum charge.You can also try to simply start your motorcycle.
Read also:
Discover all our auto-motorcycle selections here!