About Motorcycle Battery Maintenance
One of the nicest things about motorcycles is that if the battery dies on you, it is possible to start it by pushing it off. However, you shouldn’t have to do that if you just take care of the battery with regular maintenance. Doing three things will keep that battery in tiptop shape.
First Maintenance Rule
Remember that you car battery and your motorcycle battery are usually two different types of batteries. Cars have been maintenance free for so long car drivers have just about forgotten them. However motorcycle batteries are not maintenance free. You need to check the fluid level and occasionally refill it to the level it should be at. Your manual will tell you where the battery is but normally it is under your seat. Once you have access there is most likely a maximum and minimum level on the battery and you need to make sure it is full in each of the cells. Just add a bit of distilled water and you will be done. Be careful when doing so as the stuff in there is acid and you don’t want it on you or your clothing. This battery fluid should be checked monthly or at about 3,000 miles whichever comes first.
Second Maintenance Rule
Every spring the motorcycle shops get a smile on their faces. Why? They know that soon the fair weather riders will be coming in for their new batteries. Why? They have let their bike sit all winter without doing anything for their battery. If they aren’t being used they are being slowly discharged and will be dead come spring. The colder it gets the faster the life being sucked out of that battery. So rule number two is if you aren’t going to use it, store it! Not only should it not be stored with the motorcycle it shouldn’t be stored anywhere that isn’t warmer than 32 degrees. Just putting it in the garage isn’t a good idea if it isn’t heated. Also do not store the battery on concrete. It will hasten its demise as well. Put it on wood, cardboard or any non-conductive surface.
Third Maintenance Rule
Last but not least is charging the battery. It is best that you put the battery on a trickle charger and leave it alone you will be thrilled when you put it back on the bike next spring and start it right up and go for a ride. Remember, if it is not charging (such as when you are riding your bike) it is discharging! There are some excellent battery chargers out there now that will charge both your bike and your car. Just make sure the switch on the charger is set to the correct setting. Most of the chargers will know when the battery is full and shut itself off.