Have you ever been stranded because of a dead battery? The experience is frustrating, inconvenient, and avoidable. Your motorcycle battery is a small but mighty component. It brings your bike to life, powering the engine and all essential electronics. Like any piece of equipment, your motorcycle battery won’t last forever. Still, with the proper knowledge and care, you can get the most out of the device, ensuring you won’t need rescuing on the side of the road.
Choosing the Best Battery for Your Motorcycle
There are many excellent motorcycle batteries on the market, such as the Duralast AGM Power Sport Battery, but not every battery suits your motorcycle. When choosing a battery for your bike, you must consider several factors, including your riding style.
The most significant factors that determine the type of battery you choose for your motorcycle are the bike model and year. Consult the owner’s manual for the recommended battery type and specifications.
You should also consider any additional accessories and the power they require. For example, extra lights or heated gear may require a higher-capacity battery.
Finally, consider your climate. Hot and cold weather conditions affect motorcycle batteries differently, so you must choose a battery designed for your local conditions.
Proper Motorcycle Battery Maintenance and Care
Once you find the proper motorcycle battery using a motorcycle battery lookup or the owner’s manual, it is time to maintain and care for it. Cleanliness matters to battery care. You want to watch for corrosion and rust around the terminals. You can apply proper grease around terminals to reduce the risk of corrosion. Also, keep an eye on cables and connection points, ensuring everything is tight and secure.
When your motorcycle is not in use, it is important to store your battery and keep it charged. You should also keep it protected against extreme temperature changes because extreme heat or cold can degrade the battery faster.
You don’t need to worry about keeping the battery charged when riding regularly. Typically, the alternator will recharge the battery with 15-20 minutes of riding or idling. If you take a break from riding for several months, you might consider disconnecting your battery from your bike and connecting it to a charger or maintainer. The device monitors and maintains the battery automatically.
Additional Tips
Beyond routine maintenance and care, there are several things you can do to extend the life of your motorcycle battery. First, invest in a battery tester to continuously monitor battery health. Second, minimize the number of short trips you take on your motorcycle. Your trips should give the alternator enough time to recharge the battery. Finally, address electrical issues promptly. Leaving the problems can drain your battery quicker, increasing the strain on the battery and your system.
A motorcycle battery is an essential component of your bike. To get the most out of the battery, you must maintain and care for it properly. If you do not have the skills or confidence to perform the necessary tasks, consider working with an experienced motorcycle mechanic.
