How to Care for Motorcycle Batteries

Last Updated: February 12, 2020 References

Apart from the feeling of flying and the exhilaration that comes with riding a motorcycle, there is also the mechanical side. To keep them running smoothly, they need to be kept in tip-top condition. This also includes electrical power, and any serious biker knows that they have to maintain their motorcycle battery. Owners have the option of selecting regular (old school} or maintenance free motorcycle batteries. With maintenance free types there is no need to top up the cells up with water on a regular basis.

Steps

1
Visually inspect your battery. All motorcycle batteries should be checked at least once per month.
2
Clean the terminals. The terminals should be cleaned to prevent corrosion which can cause problems starting the bike. Cleaning regularly prevents the buildup of dirt and sediments.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Check the terminals a minimum of once per month to ensure that connectors are not loose. Loose connectors can mean the bike will not start or it will start only intermittently. They should also be checked after minor accidents or spills.
4
Inspect your battery for leaks. Regular maintenance also entails looking out for leaks or checking if they are wet. Sometimes water can get inside the casing and cause the metal connectors to rust. Leakage can indicate problems so it should be dealt with immediately.
5
If using regular motorcycle batteries, the electrolyte cells should be topped up with distilled water. The water level should be checked at least once every other week. Use the minimum and maximum markers etched inside the cells as a guide. Distilled water is recommended simply because it has no impurities in it. It therefore means that batteries do not need to work as hard to perform and they last longer as a result.^{[2]
X
Research source}
6
Keep your battery charged. Motorcycle batteries should be charged once per week. Allowing them to be completely exhausted will only shorten their life and impact their performance. While they can be jump-started like car batteries, it is always better to just take care of them so this will be unnecessary.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

How do I top off the battery with distilled water?

Community Answer

Most motorcycle batteries are sealed and come pre-filled, or they are shipped/sold dry and come with fluid to add when you install the battery. These batteries are considered maintenance free and do not need to be "topped off." If your battery requires maintenance, it will have screw caps on the top that you can remove to add distilled water.
Question

Is the conventional battery for a motorcycle able to be charged?

Community Answer

I believe as long as the battery's electrolytes are not damaged, most if not all vehicle batteries are rechargeable.