Much like a car owner, a motorcycle owner can’t just use their chosen mode of transportation without putting in some time and money. Motorcycles require maintenance to run at their best and to keep potentially bigger issues from arising. Thus, motorcycle owners should be equipped in more ways than one to handle their regular motorcycle care. This includes keeping around the tools that every motorcycle owner should have in their garage, and being aware of how often certain jobs should be done. Among the most important of these timelines is the lifespan of a motorcycle battery.
Over time, a motorcycle battery should be replaced, but how often should this task be done? It’s a good idea to have your battery replaced every few years, as this is typically how long an average AGM motorcycle battery will last. However, you should be mindful of the performance you’re getting from your battery. If your bike is taking longer to start, or struggling to start at all, the lights are dimmer, and electronic components aren’t working as normal, a replacement is more than likely in order. If the battery is a few years old and these issues arise, this is an even clearer sign that a new unit is needed.
Though batteries should be replaced on a consistent schedule based on their age and performance, the latter factor can’t be stressed enough. Age alone isn’t always a strong indicator of how your battery is doing and whether it needs a swap.
Factors that influence motorcycle battery longevity
Age can be an important guide in determining battery condition. However, it’s just one of many factors that can influence battery performance and longevity before replacement. For one, depending on the battery you use, your rate of replacement might change. Lead-acid batteries — be they AGM or the more maintenance-heavy wet cell type — are a mixed bag, with some sticking around between three and five years while others barely make it to two. Meanwhile, lithium batteries can last you a whole lot longer, with an average usable lifespan of five or more years.
To reach these longer lifespans, though, motorcycle batteries can’t be mishandled. A major factor in needing to replace batteries more often could be the bike itself. Electronic elements malfunctioning or otherwise continuing to draw power from the battery when the bike is off, known as parasitic draw, could decrease a battery’s useful life. Poor connections to the bike and dirty terminals could negatively impact a battery, too. Temperature extremes could impact performance and longevity, as can a lack of longer drives in favor of short trips. These habits leave the battery unable to recharge fully, killing it before it should’ve died naturally.
There are several potential reasons why a motorcycle won’t start or is struggling, with an improperly cared-for battery being a top possibility. To keep yours going at its best for as long as possible, you want to handle it effectively.
Caring for a motorcycle battery
Having to constantly buy and swap out motorcycle batteries is an expensive hassle. Fortunately, you can cut down on those replacements by simply taking care of your battery right. Taking long rides on a regular basis will go a long way to keeping it charged, as will keeping it on a trickle charger when not in use for extended periods. There are some excellent trickle chargers available on Amazon and other online retailers worth considering. Since they can make motorcycle batteries less effective over time, keeping them out of high and low temperature extremes is always a wise choice.
Looking your battery over now and again is helpful as well. If you see any kind of buildup around the terminals and clamps, be sure to give them a good clean. You should also keep an eye out for any damage to the battery system, and give your battery a power test with a hydrometer or voltmeter to ensure it’s where it should be. Speaking specifically to wet cell batteries, you want to keep an eye on the fluid levels. Keeping them topped off with distilled water will keep them around much longer. So long as you maintain your bike’s battery properly, you can get many more miles out of your battery than if you didn’t.
No matter what you do, there will come a point where a motorcycle battery replacement is in order. At the very least, you can put in the work to keep your current battery in good shape so you don’t have to get rid of it earlier than usual.
