When you turn the ignition of your motorcycle and nothing happens, the most likely culprit is your battery. A motorcycle battery is one of those components that works like clockwork, until it doesn’t. Check out the average life of a battery and see what you can do to avoid being stranded with a dead battery. Thankfully, you can pick up a new one and shop for the latest motorcycle helmets on sale online.
How Often You Should Replace Your Battery
There are a range of recommended lifetimes for motorcycle batteries. Depending on the brand you choose, the climate and how you use your bike, you can expect between two and five years of performance. Most manufacturers say four years, so trying to hit that five-plus mark is asking for trouble.
These compact batteries may look much smaller than your car battery, but they’re made with the same design features. Most OEMs use lead-acid batteries for motorcycles. This means your battery shouldn’t sit for more than a few weeks, or it can dramatically reduce its lifetime. It also means that it’s crucial to properly recycle your battery, otherwise you may be exposing yourself or other individuals to lead plates and acid.
Be sure to check that you’re ordering the exact replacement battery you need. As you check out batteries and Kawasaki motorcycle parts online, look for a battery that matches your existing battery code. This series of numbers and letters describes your battery. You don’t need to understand what they all mean to know that you may run into trouble by swapping your OEM battery for a different model.
Signs of a Bad Motorcycle Battery
A lifetime between two and five years is a wide span, so you’re probably looking for a more accurate estimate of the available lifetime of your battery. Check out these common signs that your battery is reaching the end of the road. The most accurate signs come from a battery tester or voltmeter, so consider picking up one of these items for your toolkit. Compare your voltmeter test with the recommended charge of your battery to see if it’s slightly low or dangerously low.
If you’re lucky, you may experience a slight power fade to electrical systems. Most modern batteries are designed to prevent this fade, but it can be a helpful feature to show you that your battery is draining and having trouble recharging.
Next, look for corrosion around your battery. Corrosion can be caused by a number of issues, but a common one is an old battery. Clean the terminals and check it for further signs of corrosion. Start shopping for a new battery if you see corrosion reappear.
Finally, a battery that has any physical damage is an accident waiting to happen. A leaking, cracked, discolored or bulging battery is best recycled before it starts spitting and dripping acid everywhere.
Order a new battery online to enjoy a great deal and convenient shipping right to your garage. While you’re at it, shop for motorcycle fairings, exhaust kits and other excellent replacement parts and upgrades for your favorite ride.
