How to Test a Motorcycle Battery
By testing your motorcycle battery you ensure not only that the battery is performing properly, but also it prevents you from running the risk of breaking down while riding. Battery testing, as you may know, is a vital part of motorcycle maintenance.
- Wire brush
- Can of Coca-Cola
- Clean rag
- Voltage meter
- Load tester
- Inspect the battery cables to ensure that they fit properly. If your battery cables are loose this could prevent your battery from receiving an adequate amount of charge.
- Inspect the terminals of the motorcycle battery for corrosion. If you find corrosion on the battery use a wire brush and the contents of a canned Coca-Cola to remove the corrosion. Use a clean rag to remove the Coca-Cola and corrosion debris.
- Remove the motorcycle battery by disconnecting the black cable and then disconnect the red cable. Remove the motorcycle battery and place it on a worktable.
- Connect the voltage tester to the terminals. Connect the black lead to the negative battery terminal. Connect the red lead to the positive battery terminal. Start the test by turning on the voltage tester. Any reading below 10.5 means you need to replace the motorcycle battery.
- Turn off the voltage tester and remove the leads. Remove the red lead from the positive terminal and then remove the black lead from the negative terminal.
- Connect the black lead of the lead tester to the negative battery terminal. Connect the red lead of the positive battery terminal. Turn on the load tester. If the load tester reads above 155 then your battery is operating properly. A reading below that amount indicates that you need to replace the battery.