Ways to Extend the Life of a Motorcycle Battery
Motorcycle batteries often do not last as long as they should, and the reason for their short lifespans is generally poor maintenance. Because most people don't ride their motorcycles as frequently as they might drive their cars, motorcycles are more likely to go for long periods without being started. This leads to the motorcycle battery losing its charge. Fortunately, you can extend the life of your battery by understanding why batteries lose their charge and how to keep your own motorcycle battery healthy.
Types of Motorcycle Batteries
Batteries work by providing an electrolyte material for an electrical charge to travel through. This material stores the charge when not in use, and it facilitates the flow of power into your motorcycle's engine. There are three primary types of motorcycle batteries:
-- Wet cell: These are the most common and affordable type of battery. They include a liquid acid electrolyte mixture that allows electricity to flow through the battery. Some models can be refilled, but others must be replaced when the electrolyte mixture runs dry.
-- Gel cell: Rather than using a liquid electrolyte, these batteries utilize a gel form of electrolyte. They are splash-resistant and don't lose their charge as quickly as wet cells, but they are more expensive to purchase and will lose power if left sitting for a long time.
-- Dry cell: This is the most expensive type of motorcycle battery, so it's not as common as the others. Dry cell batteries use an absorbed glass mat, or AGM, to carry electricity. This makes them maintenance free, and the AGM doesn't lose power as quickly as other types of batteries.
The type of battery you have will affect the maintenance it requires. If you don't know what kind of battery your motorcycle has, you can look it up online to confirm the best way to care for it.
Ways to Extend the Life of a Battery
The most important thing you can do to protect your battery is to keep it charged. Motorcycles can slowly drain power from a battery while in storage, so always disconnect your battery if the bike will be stored for more than a few days. It's also a good idea to keep the battery away from cool temperatures.
If the battery will be in storage for a long time, remove it and connect it to a trickle charger. This is the best way to protect its charge during storage. Of course, you can also keep a battery in good working order by riding your motorcycle frequently; this will give you a good excuse to take your bike for a weekend ride.
