Enjoy Your Ride!Purchasing a motorcycle is an exciting opportunity to take on a new hobby, but understanding maintenance issues is a must. One component that is key in keeping a motorcycle in good working condition is the motorcycle battery.
How Does a Motorcycle Battery Work?
A motorcycle battery is made up of six separate cells that each contain 2.1 volts. The total voltage of a battery in a motorcycle is 12.6 volts, and each of the cells in the battery includes positive and negative components that are exposed to a sulfuric acid solution.
The battery goes through a chemical reaction that converts the chemical energy in the battery into electrical energy that can be used to power the motorcycle.
Average Life of a Motorcycle Battery
Battery life varies depending on maintenance issues, but motorcyclists can increase the life of their bike's battery by regularly recharging it.
A motorcycle battery becomes discharged over time, and the alternator in the motorcycle helps to keep the battery charged when the bike is in use. However, the alternator does not provide enough charge on short trips. Most riders tend to go on occasional, short trips as opposed to frequent, long trips, so the battery can become discharged to the point that it may be permanently damaged.
Prolonging the life of a battery in this instance can be done through recharging. Understanding how often to recharge a battery is a matter of reading the owner's manual for the motorcycle. The typical discharge rate of a battery in a motorcycle that is not in use is 1 percent per day.
The life of the battery will also vary by motorcycle model. Battery life ranges from two to five years.
Installing a Battery in a Motorcycle
If the battery in a motorcycle does need to be replaced, some of the costs of replacing the battery can be controlled through a do-it-yourself installation.
Motorcycle batteries are typically found under the seat of the bike. Opening the seat to access the battery that needs to be replaced is the first step in the installation process. Remove the plastic covering over the battery slot and remove the dead battery by unscrewing its connections.
Insert the new battery into the slot, and make sure that the connections are firmly connected to the battery by using a Phillips screwdriver. Each connection must be properly matched up to the battery in order for the battery to work correctly. These connections are color-coordinated. There should also be a rubber holding strip located in the battery slot that helps to keep the battery in place.
Replace the plastic covering and close the seat to complete the installation.
Owning a motorcycle comes with the responsibility of properly maintaining the battery. Read the owner's manual for information on recharging requirements, and learn how to install a battery in order to save costs when the life of the battery has been used up.