A few years ago the motorcycle and off-road vehicle industries were worth $7 billion in the Middle East and North African market. The markets have only grown since then. While there are a number of different styles, they all have one thing in common.
Without a battery, none of those motorcycles will run. But you can’t put any battery in your bike.
When shopping for a battery for your motorcycle, there are a few things to keep in mind. Keep reading for a complete to help you buy your next battery.
Cold Cranking
You can look at your existing battery or your owner’s manual for how many CCAs needed. If you have to choose between two batteries, always size up on your CCAs.
Don’t worry about overpowering your electrical system with your battery. It is better to have a stronger battery to ensure your system gets enough power.
Lithium, AGM, Gel, or Conventional
A conventional battery is an old school lead-acid style. They are the cheapest option but also require a bit of maintenance. They are also unsafe since it’s filled with corrosive acid.
Gel batteries are like the next generation of conventional batteries. Instead of liquid acid, a gel is used. They are typically used for deep cycle uses and not as starter batteries.
The starter battery version of the gel is AGM batteries. These batteries use fibreglass to hold everything in place. They are dependable and last a long time.
In a completely different direction, lithium batteries don’t use any lead or acid. These batteries are incredibly light but are also the most expensive.
How Long Will It Last?
You can expect your average battery to last about three years. But the life of your battery is entirely dependent on how you take care of it. Treat your battery right, and it could faithfully serve you for five to six years.
The worst thing you can do is let your battery totally die. Lead acid style batteries experience damage when they die completely. Let it die a couple of times, and you’ll need to buy a new battery.
Warranty
Look for a battery that is backed by a manufacturer warranty. That way if there is a problem with it you have someone to turn to. You want a manufacturer warranty that lets you return and replace your battery.
Reviews
Take the time to read reviews about different batteries. Other users can give you a good idea about the performance of each battery model.
This will give you a good idea if your battery of choice will perform well in your motorcycle and climate.
Trickle Charges
If you buy an AGM battery, then you can throw a trickle charger on it. For the best performance, look for a trickle charger that has a microprocessor in it.
This way it will monitor the state of your battery. Now you won’t have to worry about overcharging.
Be careful if you buy a lithium-ion battery though. A standard trickle charger is meant for AGM batteries, which is 12.8 volts. Lithium-ion batteries are 13 to 14. This means that your battery won’t get fully charged.
Don’t try to use a standard battery charger. These are too powerful and will overcharge it. Your best option is to buy a model specific charger.
Avoid the Battery Killers
Now that you are well on your way to a new battery, there are a few things to think about. You need to take good care of it to ensure that it lasts for its full useful life.
Heat Kills Batteries
One of the biggest enemies to your battery is heat. If your motorcycle runs hot, exposing your battery to temperatures north of 130 degrees, this dramatically reduces the life of your battery.
Try to store your battery at 75 degrees. At 95 degrees your battery will discharge twice as fast.
If you live in a climate where it gets hot, look for a battery that offers extended life. You may not get an extended life, but it will be stronger and give you a decent service lifetime.
Vibration Shakes the Life out of Your Battery
A shaking and rattling battery is an unhappy one. Take the time to check how your battery is held in place.
Secure your new battery with solid mounting hardware. A good solution for a rattling battery is to install some rubber cushions. This will absorb any vibration.
Sulfation Is Corrosion
Take a look at your old battery, do you see sulfate crystals? This happens when your battery discharges continuously or has low electrolyte levels.
The excessive discharging causes sulfate crystals to turn into sulfation. Keep your battery adequately charged, and you shouldn’t have to worry about this.
Freezing Causes Cracking
Freezing isn’t a problem unless you aren’t keeping your battery properly charged. As your battery discharges the electrolyte acid becomes water.
We all know water freezes at 32 degrees. It also expands when it freezes. So the temp drops and the excess water freezes. There isn’t enough extra space in the case, so it cracks.
Buy a Battery for Your Motorcycle
When it comes time to replacing motorcycle parts, the best place to start is with your battery. Be sure to do proper research to know what type and model you need to buy.
The battery for your motorcycle needs to perform well in your climate and be powerful enough to power your bike. Then once you have your new battery, take all of the necessary steps to ensure you get the maximum performance out of it.
Start shopping for your motorcycle battery today with our extensive inventory.
