What Battery Does My Motorcycle Need?

Need to change the battery on your motorbike?  On average, batteries on motorcycles need replacing around every 3 to 5 years.  Given this is a fairly lengthy period, it makes sense not to just buy the cheapest one you can find, but to actually put some thought into getting the best one to power your machine.  Below are a few things to consider when buying a battery…

Consult your user manual

It might seem an obvious point, but you should jump start your battery buying process with a look at your user manual.  It will list out the type of battery suitable for your particular model, allowing you to narrow down your range of options.

Your current battery

Obvious point #2 is to look at your current motorcycle battery – this gives you the strongest clue yet as to what works well on your bike!

Your battery charger

If you decide to try out a different brand or model of battery, make sure it is compatible with your battery charger.  You don’t want to damage your new battery or be forced to buy a new battery charger as these can be expensive.

The trips you make

Do you mostly take short trips on your motorbike?  If so, it would be best to buy a battery that won’t need recharging too often, since short distances won’t allow the alternator to charge for very long.  Motorcycle batteries need to be kept charged or their performance will suffer.  In order to keep it healthy, consider buying a battery tender.

Go to an auto parts store

If you don’t know the ins and outs of particular brands and models of batteries, there is no shame in asking the experts for some advice.  Most stores that sell auto parts will stock motorcycle batteries too, so you can pick their brains to find out which brands are popular and why.

Before parting with your cash, you might also want to consider a second opinion.  A store will most likely promote only the products they have in stock, so by visiting different stores, you will probably come across a wider variety of options to choose from.

Buy online

If you want to save some money, you can have a look online once you know the brand and model of battery you would like.  Try specialist online retailers like The Battery Shop and GetGeared for an extensive selection.

Seek advice

There are many organisations that will be more than happy to give you help on this matter. Your insurance company for example, most insurance companies you insure your bike through will have a team of knowledgeable individuals who will have or who will be able to find you the answer.

Another place where you can get great advice is through motorcycling forums and online biking communities. By asking around on these sites you’re probably even likely to find a biker who has the exact same bike as you who can give you a hand, what better person to ask then someone who is in your shoes; it’s always good to get a recommendation!

Go back to your dealer

Last but not least, the person who sold your bike to you is likely to be another expert who can give you sound advice.  Better still, they probably stock the battery too.  So go back to them to see what they say, and buy the battery from them if the price sounds okay.  In truth, you will probably end up paying a little more than if you shopped around or ordered online, but buying from the dealer gives you a peace of mind and saves you time.

If there are any pointers that we have missed out that you consider while purchasing a battery for your motorcycle then we want to hear them, please post a comment below or share your advice with us on our Facebook or Twitter page.