Whether you have a lightweight or heavy-duty motorcycle, your ride is your passion. Part of the fun for many of us is working on the vehicle. The battery is one of the most important elements on the bike, which means it should take up some of your attention during each tuneup. Get to know the top five things about motorcycle batteries. Their science will keep you going for miles down the road.
1. High CCA Provides Startup Reliability
As you shop around for a motorcycle battery, pay close attention to the CCA or cold-cranking amps. This value might be 500 or higher, for instance. Choosing a high CCA gives the bike a chance to start up under harsh conditions. It has enough current to activate the engine at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. In most cases, you won’t find yourself stranded with a high CCA on your bike
These batteries do decline over time, especially if they’re in storage, states How Stuff Works. Don’t forget to have a handy, motorcycle battery charger on hand in case of a power issue. Knowing how to charge a motorcycle battery will help you get the bike back on the road
2. Choose Sealed Batteries
In the past, you didn’t have much of a choice when it came to a motorcycle battery. Flooded or wet-cell designs were the only option. Currently, you want a maintenance free design that’s also referred to as the sealed battery.
Motorcycles take the brunt of the road’s imperfections. Bumps, stops and other abrupt movements impact the battery over time. Flooded batteries have the tendency to leak, which leads to sulfation and gradual decline. Look for AGM or gel motorcycle battery products. The sealed construction will be a reprieve from corroded terminals and topping off water levels in older battery types.
3. Use a Replacement Kit to Safely Hold Down a New Battery
Unlike a car engine, the motorcycle-engine compartment is limited in space. Upgrading or changing a battery to a different type may seem impossible. In reality, it’s actually a good idea to keep up with technology.
You may want a better battery with the latest motorcycle battery charger, for example. Compare the new battery to the compartment on your ride. If the fit isn’t right, you can always alter the position. Or better yet, look for a kit that converts the current space to the new battery’s dimensions. There’s no reason why you can’t replace the old model with a new one on any bike. There’s always a creative solution.
4. Electric Bikes Use Different Batteries
Be aware that engine-powered and electric motorcycles have different batteries. The power needs are entirely different between the two designs. Each motorcycle battery trickle charger will vary with the bikes too.
Electric bikes typically use batteries that have this technology, such as:
- Lithium ion
- Lead
- Lithium iron phosphate
Your battery and motorcycle battery charger must match the bike’s design. If you’re not sure about the details, our team can always help you with the particulars.
Electric-bike batteries tend to be more expensive than standard power sources. The pricing alone may give you a clue
5. AGM Batteries are the Best for Motorcycle Applications
AGM or absorbent glass mat batteries are the overall winners when it comes to powering up your bike. They have certain features that make them stand out, reports Battery University. These features include:
- Lightweight assembly
- Reliable powe
- Rapid charging time
Fiberglass mats secure the sulfuric acid, which makes the battery safer to handle and use. They’re essentially maintenance-free batteries so that you can enjoy your ride without too much thought about the power source. AGM batteries also have varied sizes and power levels, which gives you versatility on any bike model that you own.
Contact Northeast Battery today with any questions about your bike’s power source. From how to charge a motorcycle battery to understanding its average lifespan, we have the answers to your queries. Today’s battery technology will get you around town and back again.