Whether it is a small motorcycle, scooter, or a powerful bugger like Harley Davidson, the battery is their heart. It powers the electrical components of your bike that allow you to ride safely. Batteries have taken giant leaps over time and are available in numerous shapes and sizes to cater to different motorbikes. When you look for the best motorcycle battery, it should essentially give enough power to meet your bike’s necessities, as found in Yuasa YTZ10S, our top choice for the purpose.
Chrome Pro YTX12-BS iGel Maintenance Free Replacement Battery with Digital Display for ATV, Motorcycle, Scooter, and UTV: 12 Volts, 1.2 Amps, 10Ah, Nut and Bolt (T3) Terminal
Chrome Pro YTX12-BS iGel Maintenance Free Replacement Battery with Digital Display for ATV, Motorcycle, Scooter, and UTV: 12 Volts, 1.2 Amps, 10Ah, Nut and Bolt (T3) Terminal
The components that make up a good motorcycle battery include terminals, ports and connectors, construction material, vibration resistance quality, sales & service support, warranty period on the defect, battery life expectancy, price point, etc. We have considered each of them and made our top list above. While doing research, we’ve found a good number of alternative products for each type of battery. If you don’t get one available, go for the alternative one without hesitation because they are more or less similar.
How much is the best motorcycle battery? We divide prices into two ranges-
Under $100: Most motorcycle batteries at this range will last up to 2 years, while a few have a life expectancy of a year. However, some are highly reliable, while others die after just two weeks in service.
$100 and up: For high-quality units like lithium, you should be ready to pay $100+. Anything less than this won’t be a good buy always, given that 8Ah lead-acid costs around the same. However, you can expect every available and required feature from these batteries with a life expectancy of 2 to 4 years.
Working Basics of Motorcycle Battery
A battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy using the cells. A single cell consists of plates or electrodes submerged in the electrolyte solution.
Electrodes have positive and negative charges and keep the charged particles suspended in the ions, which always flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal through each electrode during the discharging process.
So, when these charges move from the negative end to the positive terminal, they produce direct current (DC) output.
Types of Motorcycle Battery
Motorcycle batteries available in the market are generally of two types wet-cell batteries and gel-cell batteries. They are further divided into four types:
1. Conventional Lead-acid Battery
2. Maintenance Free (MF) or Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery
3. Gel Cell Battery
4. Lithium-ion Battery (Li-ion)
AGM Battery vs. GEL Battery
AGM batteries can provide bigger bursts of amps when required, so they’re better suited for powerful motorcycles. AGM cells are made from lead-calcium alloy plates instead of pure lead plates like GEL cells.
Although both types of batteries contain at least 50 percent acid by weight, the different composition leads to significant differences between them. For one thing, gel cells are about 50 percent heavier than AGM batteries.
Both batteries contain a part known as the “electrolyte stabilizer,” which makes them capable of withstanding high temperatures without boiling out, where GELs are a bit ahead. In contrast, AGM batteries are several steps ahead at working in cold temperatures. Last but not least, you can mount AGM batteries in any position without affecting performance, and they can reduce the overall weight of your bike.
AGM vs. Lithium-Ion Battery
When comparing AGM vs. Lithium batteries, one of the main differences between them is the electrolyte used in these two rechargeables. The electrolyte is the material contained in a battery cell that allows electrons (negative charge) to pass from one electrode to another. They generate electricity in a process called oxidation-reduction.
In an AGM battery, the acidic electrolyte is just water and salt-based additives that contain potassium hydroxide (KOH). In contrast, lithium batteries use non-aqueous lithium-based electrolytes such as nickel or manganese dioxide (LiMn2O4), acting as the host material for cations Li+.
AGM batteries are most reliable for motorcycles due to sturdy construction, lower self-discharge rates, capacity to function well in lower temperatures, less lead sulfate crystal buildup, and the average risk of failure at deep cycling. But they can be easily damaged by improper charging.
On the other hand, Li-ion batteries are the safest to date among all batteries, thanks to inorganic phosphates. They’re the most fire-resistant too, and of course rechargeable. Discharge remains, as claimed actually, consistent unless full-empty. But as long as they are not getting older (they are new in the market, you know), it’s tough to certify this. However, they’re expensive.
Best Brands for Motorcycle Battery
There are several battery brands that motorcycle enthusiasts can choose from. Sometimes, it may be daunting to figure out what motorcycle batteries you should use for your motorcycle.
Shorai Batteries
Yuasa
MIGHTY MAX
Chrome Battery
Throttle x
Battery Tender
Weize
Exide Motorcycle Batteries
Universal Power Group
Right Battery for Your Motorcycle – Buying Facts
Battery Type: It’s essential to choose the right type of battery for your bike. Remember, a gel battery can’t run a motorcycle designed for wet batteries, or vice versa.
Cold Cranking Amps: CCA is the number of amperes at 0 degrees Fahrenheit a battery can produce after being discharged by leaving it at rest for eight hours AND until its voltage falls below 7.2 V.
Reserve Capacity: The reserve capacity (RC) is measured by how long a motorcycle battery will maintain its voltage above a preset level at 77 degrees Fahrenheit after being fully charged.
Cost: Price: If your budget allows, go with a lithium-Ion battery because they have higher CCA and RC, are lighter than lead-acid batteries and can last longer.
Introducing NOCO Lithium - It's better than lead-acid in almost every way. No sulfation. Requires no activation, no acid, no maintenance, and no water needed. And it comes fully charged and ready to install.
Insane Performance - Delivers over 500-amps of starting power, over 50,000 starts, and over 2,000 charge cycles, blowing away its lead-acid rivals. Simply put, it's 2X more power, 10X more starts, and 5X longer life.
Dynamic BMS - An advanced battery management system that provides maximum safety protection with bi-directional active cell balancing for long-lasting reliability. Plus, no BMS reset is needed.
Superfast Charging - Unleash the power of lithium and quickly recharge within minutes. Utilizing the most advanced rapid-charge technology, it provides enough starting power with just 5-minutes of charge.
Universal - A multi-terminal configuration that allows front, side, top, and female installations. Plus, modular trays fit various group sizes and a removable mounting block to accommodate legacy battery applications.
Introducing NOCO Lithium - It's better than lead-acid in almost every way. No sulfation. Requires no activation, no acid, no maintenance, and no water needed. And it comes fully charged and ready to install.
Insane Performance - Delivers over 600-amps of starting power, over 50,000 starts, and over 2,000 charge cycles, blowing away its lead-acid rivals. Simply put, it's 2X more power, 10X more starts, and 5X longer life.
Dynamic BMS - An advanced battery management system that provides maximum safety protection with bi-directional active cell balancing for long-lasting reliability. Plus, no BMS reset is needed.
Superfast Charging - Unleash the power of lithium and quickly recharge within minutes. Utilizing the most advanced rapid-charge technology, it provides enough starting power with just 5-minutes of charge.
Universal - A multi-terminal configuration that allows front, side, top, and female installations. Plus, modular trays fit various group sizes and a removable mounting block to accommodate legacy battery applications.
Introducing NOCO Lithium - It's better than lead-acid in almost every way. No sulfation. Requires no activation, no acid, no maintenance, and no water needed. And it comes fully charged and ready to install.
Insane Performance - Delivers over 700-amps of starting power, over 50,000 starts, and over 2,000 charge cycles, blowing away its lead-acid rivals. Simply put, it's 2X more power, 10X more starts, and 5X longer life.
Dynamic BMS - An advanced battery management system that provides maximum safety protection with bi-directional active cell balancing for long-lasting reliability. Plus, no BMS reset is needed.
Superfast Charging - Unleash the power of lithium and quickly recharge within minutes. Utilizing the most advanced rapid-charge technology, it provides enough starting power with just 5-minutes of charge.
Universal - A multi-terminal configuration that allows front, side, top, and female installations. Plus, modular trays fit various group sizes and a removable mounting block to accommodate legacy battery applications.
YTX4L-BS is a 12V 3AH 50 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Battery
Dimensions: 4.40 inches x 2.90 inches x 3.42 inches. Polarity: Negative on left, Positive on right. Listing is for the Battery and Screws only. No wire harness or mounting accessories included.
SLA / AGM spill proof battery has a characteristic of high discharge rate, wide operating temperatures, long service life and deep discharge recover.
Rechargeable battery that can be mounted in any position, resists shocks and vibration. Long lasting high performance in high and low temperatures.
Backed by a 30 day refund policy and full 1 year warranty.
Non-spill able design that features Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology, enabling the battery to be repeatedly charged and discharged without affecting performance
Fits select models of Buell, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Polaris, Triumph and Yamaha motorcycles; Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kymco and Yamaha ATVs; Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris and Yamaha Snowmobiles; and more. Replaces: CTX20HL (FA), YTX20HL, M720BH , SC20HLFA, LTX20L-BS, EBX20L-BS, ETX20L, 20L-BS, PTX20L-BS, 740-1890, GTX20L-BS, ES20LBS, CTX20L-BS, M320BS, M4220BS, YTX20L-BS, 44027, TX20HL
YTZ14S is a 12V 11.2AH 230 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Battery
Dimensions: 6.00 inches x 3.44 inches x 4.38 inches. Polarity: Positive on Left, Negative on Right. Listing is for the Battery and Screws only. No wire harness or mounting accessories included.
SLA / AGM spill proof battery has a characteristic of high discharge rate, wide operating temperatures, long service life and deep discharge recover.
Rechargeable battery that can be mounted in any position, resists shocks and vibration. Long lasting high performance in high and low temperatures.
Backed by a 30 day refund policy and full 1 year warranty.
BATTERY TYPE: YTX30L-BS 12V 30AH, 385 CCA, 360 Watts (H)6. 89" x (L)6. 54" x (W)4. 96" Polarity: - + is a rechargeable, power sport battery
VERSATILE FIT: This YTX30L-BS battery fits in a variety of applications, ranging from motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis, and more
TOP TECHNOLOGY: The Acid inside is constructed with Absorbed Glass Mat technology allowing for a low-maintenance and spill proof battery. Patented sealed post prevents corrosion which gives extended battery life
EASY APPLICATION: Chrome Battery batteries come fully charged and ready to go once delivered. Simply connect your battery to the application and you are ready to go
Non-spill able design that features Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology, enabling the battery to be repeatedly charged and discharged without affecting performance
Non-spillable design that features Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology, enabling the battery to be repeatedly charged and discharged without affecting performance
Maintenance Free - Fully Charged - Ready to Install
Meets or Exceeds Specifications of Original Battery - 500+ CCA and 18 A.H.
12 Month Free Replacement Warranty with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Non Spillable Sealed Technology With Heat Sealed Cover
Dimensions: L = 6 7/8, W = 3 7/16, H = 6 1/8. Weight = 15.5 lbs.
Common Motorcycle Battery Sizes
12 Volt Batteries – use two 6V or 8V cells wired together, thus creating a 12V (or 16V) electrical system – the most common battery used in motorcycles worldwide.
9 Volt Batteries – systems are most popular on vintage cruisers.
8 Volt Batteries – also come in two different sizes: 8V with 4 cells (36Ah) and 8V with 6 cells (72Ah).
6 Volt Batteries – have an Ah rating composed of three 2V cells wired in series; a standard 6V battery usually has 18Ah while an extra-large one could go up as high as 60Ah.
How Long Do Motorcycle Batteries Last?
How long motorcycle batteries last depends on the brand, model and the type of bike. It also depends on how often you use your motorcycle and the way you maintain it. Most experts say that a good quality battery will last about five years maximum. But it may even come down to only a few months!
Maintenance – Make Motorcycle Battery Last Longer
You should follow these tips to prolong the life of your motorcycle battery:
Charge the Battery Regularly – You shouldn’t leave your motorcycle battery dead. Remember to charge it as soon as you notice that its voltage level has dropped below 12.4V.
Charge Your Battery Well – To avoid motorcycle battery overcharge, make sure that the charging light on your regulator doesn’t go out before the battery is full.
Purchase a Good Battery – When making a battery replacement, compare different brands before deciding which battery is right for you.
Test the Charging System – Ensure that your charging system works properly by trying another good battery on your bike. Use a motorcycle battery tester to observe whether or not there’s current flowing from the alternator into your battery.
Does Motorcycle Riding Charge the Battery?
Some batteries are made to be trickle-charged, and others are not. The motorcycle battery is just like the car battery. It’s a device that stores and generates electricity. So yes, the motorcycle alternator will charge the battery while riding. But it’s not as simple as just mounting a battery and turning on the ignition.
Do Motorcycles Run with Dead Battery?
Nowadays, almost all motorcycles come equipped with an electric start system. Some of them use a kick starter as a backup if the battery runs flat or can’t start the engine. Therefore, you might think that running when the battery is dead will not be a big deal.
Motorcycle engines need the energy to run, and if there isn’t any, they won’t run either. You should never ride your motorcycle with a dead battery.
Can You Charge a Dead Motorcycle Battery?
The simple answer is yes. But before you start charging, you should understand why the battery died in the first place.
The two likely events are either total discharge or freezing temperatures. When a battery is discharged too low for an extended period, a chemical buildup forms on the battery’s plates that prevent normal charging.
When the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees F), battery water freezes, expanding to break the cells inside the battery apart.
Concluding Remarks
In the end, you should remember that a battery is one of the essential parts of your bike. When it dies, everything comes to a halt. That’s why it’s so vital to make sure you choose the right battery for your motorcycle and maintain its health as much as possible. That way, you’ll enjoy riding forever!
Last update on 2022-05-12 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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