Motorcycle Battery Maintenance: The Dos and Don’ts

It can be embarrassing and inconvenient when your motorcycle battery dies while you are on the road. Most of the time, your only option is to wait for help to come. This is why it’s important to ensure your motorcycle battery is maintained regularly and properly.

Understandably, you must look after your motorcycle battery accordingly if you want it to last for a long time. It is important that your battery remains in good working condition if you want to make more trips on your motorcycle. Typically, motorcycle batteries last for three to four years, given that they are well-maintained.

The good news is you don’t have to be a mechanic to know how to look after your batteries accordingly. Of course, it’s always best to have a professional look after your battery. However, knowing the basics of battery maintenance is ideal, especially if a professional is not readily available to help you out.

Motorcycle Battery Maintenance: Dos and Don’ts

Charging

Do

If you aren’t using your battery for several weeks (or months), you need to remove it from your motorcycle and store it in a warm, safe, and dry place. This is especially important during the winter season when everything that’s placed outside typically freezes because of the weather.

Even if you just store the battery, make sure you don’t forget to charge it. Ensuring your battery is charged regularly is one of the most effective ways to prolong its life. When possible, find a smart or intelligent motorcycle battery charger. Smart chargers enable automatic activation and prevent overcharging.

Don’t

Always ensure you won’t leave your battery in your motorcycle if you don’t use it for several weeks (or months). If you leave your battery in your unused motorcycle, it won’t recharge. This can shorten the battery’s life significantly. This is especially true if it is left out in the cold during winter.

While there are chargers nowadays that can be used for both motorcycles and cars, it is still ideal (and safer) that you don’t use car battery chargers. When it comes to picking a suitable and compatible charger for your battery, you can never be too careful.

Storage

Do

When storing your battery, make sure the place where you will store it is dry and safe. Ideally, the storage area should be 32° warm. The battery should not be exposed to cold weather so it won’t freeze or crack. You should also place your battery on surfaces like plastic, wood, or thick cardboard.

Don’t

Do not store your battery in a cold room. Ensure you also keep it away from places with concrete or metal surfaces. Placing them on concrete or metal surfaces can make them discharge faster.

Battery Fluid

Do

Each month, make sure to check your battery’s fluid. If you need to refill it, have a battery specialist or motorcycle technician help you. If a specialist or technician is not available, you can use distilled water to refill it. You must also ensure you do it in a ventilated and well-lit room. You must also wear protective gear, gloves, and a face mask.

Don’t

Make sure you check your battery’s fluid levels or electrolytes. Don’t use battery acids to refill the battery fluids.

Other Battery Maintenance Basics to Keep in Mind

• Ensure the battery terminals are cleaned properly. The electrolyte in the battery can leak out and cause the battery terminals to become dirty. Left unattended, the dirt can corrode the terminal’s metal surface. This might cause sparking issues because of poor contact.
• Check the battery fuse regularly. Ensure your battery fuse is checked at every service. It is also best to replace old fuses regularly (even if they are still in good working condition). If it’s any consolation, the cost of a new fuse is lesser compared to the price of a new battery.
• Top up your battery regularly. Ideally, you must check the water level at least once every two weeks. If unsure as to how much water should be filled, look at the side of the battery for markers. That is where you will find the minimum and maximum points. Also, it is important to only use distilled water as tap water might have impurities that can be bad for your battery. It can also cause irreversible and permanent damage to your battery.
• Check your battery for leaks. This is another critical battery maintenance tip. The battery can leak due to improper installation or mechanical damage. Any type of leakage should be avoided. If it occurs, ensure you get your battery serviced as soon as you notice any leakage.

Final Thoughts

Regular and proper maintenance will add years to your battery’s life and help you save money in the long run. Regular and proper maintenance can also help ensure your battery won’t malfunction when you least expect it.