Motorcycle Battery Reviews

Making sure you're charged and ready
selection tips for Motorcycle Batteries

Motorcycle batteries; amazing little boxes. They get squeezed into a small spot somewhere in the frame and are asked to perform essential tasks. Today batteries are very reliable and also reasonably cheap to replace (not often needed). That's good news when you realize how they work and what they do.

Once you realize how important a battery is for your bike you'll want to look for the right one. Watch for the following aspects: size, amps, volts and extra capacity. Size seems logical but unlike a car where you can get away with a different size.. on a bike this is not recommended. When you check the amps - you are actually looking at the pure power the battery has without help from the engine. The capacity is more or less how long the motorcycle battery would work without being charged.

So, you might be thinking I'll set up my bike with a damn big powerful battery and get rocking down the road. Sorry. Don't do this. A battery and engine have been so closely designed to meet exactly what your bike needs. All those small aspects like polarity, vent tubes etc must match your bike. So stick to the right OEM battery part. But on the bright side manufacturers do have stronger upgrades available.

How to keep your motorcycle battery in great working order: check it's secure, all components are attached in the right way, if it's still a fill-up model have it topped up to the right level and have it charge on a trickle charger when not used for a longer period of time. Always recharge at a 1/3 of the ampere hour rating of the battery.

Choosing
Different motorcycles use different types of batteries. There are a wide variety of sizes and model types to fit the wide variety of motorcycles—wet, dry, with-sensor, without. Make sure you get the right battery for your particular bike. After you narrow it down to just the right size, model and type for your bike, you still may have several to choose from. Be sure to check that the technical specs of the battery match up with your particular bike before you buy.


Fit
Be sure the battery fits perfectly in your bike. If the size is not right the battery will move around and cause damage in the battery box.


Engine Compatibility
A larger cc motorcycle engine requires a higher chargeable battery, while a smaller engine only uses a small motorcycle battery.


Expiration
This is not just for dairy products; it goes for motorcycle batteries, too. You want a battery that is no more than six months old, based on the shipping date. If you can't find the date or the shipping-date-code on the battery yourself--ask someone. They should be able to tell you and if they can't, you might consider buying from a more knowledgeable vendor.


Longevity
If you mostly use your bike for short trips or if you live in a location where the climate is warm, it will be crucial that you choose a battery with a long life. Short trips mean that the alternator doesn't have much time to recharge the battery, and high temperatures can wreak havoc on the electrolyte solution and components of the motorcycle battery. Long distance touring bikes need to have motorcycle batteries which can be used for long distances before they give out.


Warranty
Look for a battery with the longest free-replacement warranty. Most manufacturers offer a one-year warranty on factory defects.


Climate & Start Up Power
Cold-cranking amps, or CCAs, are the number of amps a lead-acid battery at F can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell. This is important especially in a cold climate when engine conditions are at their worst and battery power is at its lowest. As a general rule--the higher the CCAs, the greater the starting power of the motorcycle battery.


Battery Type
A self-sealed or factory-sealed motorcycle battery should not require any maintenance, just installation. So, unless your bike's user manual says otherwise, a maintenance-free battery should never be replaced with a conventional one. Remember, a conventional battery needs routine maintenance.


Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable motorcycle batteries are eco friendly and cost effective. Though they are slightly more expensive than non-rechargeable models, you can always recharge them and they will last quite some time. Keep in mind, most modern motorbike batteries have their parts named with CT, CTZ, YTZ and YT.

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Apart from old age and wear & tear the thing with most influence on the working of motorcycle batteries is the weather. Temperature to be exact. The lower the temperature the less effective the chemicals are. So the colder the weather the worse your motorcycle battery works. If you do need to replace the battery do realize that batteries are shipped without acid so when buying mail order, you will need to fill-up with your own acid. Motorcycle batteries from a battery shop can be 50% cheaper!

A motorcycle battery has three main functions: it enables the engine to start with the electrical starter, it works as an extra power supply when your bike needs it, it works as an absorber for high surges of electricity

If you have an older battery be sure to check the electrolyte levels often (add distilled water on low levels).

A wet cell 12 volt battery when fully charged will give you between 12,5 and 13,2 volts when measured.

Normally you can expect a motorcycle battery to last you about three years on average.

Remember that battery acid is very corrosive and will eat through metal, watch yourself and your bike.

Good habit - disconnect the negative side of a battery first and reattach it last.

When charging a battery you should never exceed one-tenth of the rated amp-hour capacity

If you don't ride often consider getting a -smart charger- to keep your battery topped and in the best condition.

When your bike starts to have problems starting - check your electrics ASAP - it will avoid problems on the road.

A new battery needs battery acid - fill it to the full mark, then let it sit for an hour and then charge for at least 5 hours with a smart charger.

Remember to charge the battery on your bike - a 12 volt system needs to generate more volts to accurately load the battery (normally around 14 volts)

The vent hose on batteries is extremely important - those acid vapors can discolor your paint, chrome, etc - use special motorcycle batteries and place the vent hose in the right place.

Sealed batteries are extremely handy for motorcycles and if possible worth getting for your motorcycle. Less hassle, maintenance and worries.

Winter weather can drain your battery power quickly - use a charger to keep it topped. Also remember that a discharged battery can freeze and crack your casing.

Always make sure the battery is securely fitted, the cables attached firmly and the vent hose routed properly.

Batteries discharge at a rate of 0.5% - 1% every day.