7 Critical Tips for Choosing the Best Motorcycle Battery
The quality of your bike's battery will undoubtedly impact your ride's performance. Check out these important tips for choosing the best motorcycle battery.
Picking the best motorcycle battery for your motorcycle is one way to ensure your ride is at the top of its game. Each motorcycle has different power needs from its battery. So, knowing which type of battery to install means you will get the most out of your bike.
Spending the time to work out the best option will almost certainly mean you choose the best motorcycle battery. It will also probably save you money and time in the long run.
So, read on to learn about seven things you should know before you buy a new battery.
1. Know What Type of Motorcycle Battery You Need
There are five main types of motorcycle batteries. These are: Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), Gel, Pure Lead, Lithium Iron Phosphate (Polymer Cells), and Lithium Iron Phosphate
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
This is one of the best motorcycle batteries you can choose. They are reliable and last a long time.
If you purchase a factory-activated AGM battery, they require no maintenance. Because the factory fills the battery and seals it, the battery is leak proof.
AGM batteries are some of the best motorcycle batteries because of their ability to cope with vibrations and harsh weather.
Gel
Gel motorcycle batteries also have good resistance to vibrations. They are maintenance-free, too. They are leak-proof and won't spill, either.
The gel system is excellent in climates with either hot or cold temperatures. Because they offer great power, gel batteries work well in motorcycles. If you have to store the bike or the battery for a long time without using it, a gel battery is a good choice.
Pure Lead
These batteries have an excellent life expectancy. They are reliable, too. Pure lead batteries are spill-proof and leak-proof.
The lead technology offers high starting power. They work best for high-end motorcycles that have a lot of extra technology and equipment on them.
Pure lead motorcycle batteries are perfect for extreme climate conditions. You can also store a pure lead battery for months without a negative effect on the battery condition.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (Polymer Cells)
These batteries are superior to acid batteries. They are more reliable, have better performance, and are even more safe to handle.
Lithium Iron batteries are much lighter than acid batteries. So, if you want better handling on your bike, choose a lithium-iron battery.
They are completely free of maintenance. You won't lose charge quickly. And they charge much quicker than an acid battery.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (Cylindrical Cells)
The cylindrical cell option on a lithium-iron-phosphate battery comes with some added bonuses. You get improved performance. They are resistant to short-circuit currents, too.
2. Check the Power Rating
When you are considering your options for the best motorcycle battery, make sure you look at the power rating. The power rating is indicated by the number of volts the battery offers.
You need to make sure the battery you pick can handle the kind of bike you have. If you have a top-of-the-range motorcycle, you'll need a battery that can cope with the extra drain from the tech and functions on your ride.
Higher voltage means your battery should start your motorcycle in harsh conditions or when you haven't used it for a while.
3. Does It Come with a Guarantee?
Check out the manufacturer's guarantee. The longer the guarantee runs for, the better that motorcycle battery will be for you. The last thing you want is to have problems with the battery but not have support from the manufacturer.
Each motorcycle battery manufacturer offers a different level of service in their guarantees. Compare the level of service because a cheaper battery might end up costing you more in the long run.
4. Is the Battery Compatible with Your Bike?
When looking for the best motorcycle battery, make sure you check that it will actually work with your motorcycle. Not every battery will fit or provide the power you need. Look at the motorcycle's manufacturer guidelines for batteries.
Of course, size is one thing to keep in mind. Check the dimensions of the battery. Look to see what size battery you already have so that you don't get one that is too big or too small.
5. How Easy Is It to Maintain?
As you can see from the list of the five main types of motorcycle batteries, each one has different levels of maintenance needed to keep it at its best. When you want to get out and ride your bike, the last thing you want to do is have to work on the battery.
Consider charging times. Also, think about how quickly batteries lose their charge if you don't use your motorcycle very often.
Always try to choose a battery that is maintenance-free if you can, even if you need to spend more upfront. You'll appreciate that quality in the best motorcycle battery when it comes time to hop on and cruise.
6. Don't Forget These Things
A couple of other things to bear in mind when choosing the best motorcycle battery are the polarity rating and whether the battery is spill-proof.
Make sure the polarity works with your bike. You don't want to have to spend time changing connectors or looking for longer (or shorter) cables to hook the battery up.
You also want to choose the best motorcycle battery for its spill-proof rating. This is because motorcycles lean and tip more than many other vehicles. Picking a battery with a 90-percent-plus spill-proof rating will keep your battery and motorcycle working at peak levels longer.
7. Check the Online Reviews
Finally, do your research. Look at online reviews of the top batteries on the market. It's worth taking the time to make sure you know which is the best motorcycle battery for your bike.
A little research upfront will mean you get a battery that fits your motorcycle and can hold up in the conditions in which you ride it.
Choose the Best Motorcycle Battery with These Tips
As you can see, there is a lot to think about when picking the best motorcycle battery for your bike. Do your research so you know what you need.
Choose from the different types of batteries and make sure it is compatible with your motorcycle. Make sure you choose a battery with the best possible manufacturer's guarantee, too.
Our batteries are some of the best on the market for your motorcycle. Our team of experts knows what will suit your motorcycle. So, get in touch with us to learn more about our range of batteries and to get the best advice.
