Few things are more delightful to a dedicated motorcyclist than a Sunday morning ride. A crisp battery turns the starter motor and the engine roars into life. Off they go together. Rider and bike are one as they drop low into the curves and accelerate out into the straights. Unfortunately, there’s a catch to this idyllic story. Once-a-week motorbikes don’t necessarily have healthy motorcycle batteries.
Hot Tips for Ensuring Healthy Motorcycle Batteries
Batteries gradually discharge when not in use, and this can cause them to sulfate their plates eventually. Regular use is the best way to make a motorbike or auto battery last for longer. Fortunately, there are other ways to compensate if we don’t use the motorcycle every day.
The best way of ensuring healthy motorcycle batteries is to purchase the right one in the first place. We often receive phone calls from people who purchased a cheap one on the internet, with unfortunate consequences. It’s always best to ask the vendor for a spec before buying, and to check with the motorcycle agent before placing the order.
Smart Ways to Keep a Motorbike Battery in Good Form
Check the level of the battery electrolyte every few weeks, and replace evaporated water with distilled water from a source you trust. Never overfill the cells because this disturbs the electrochemistry in the electrolyte. Keeping the outside clean is another sure-fire way for healthy motorcycle batteries, especially keeping terminals spotless.
Finally, remember to keep your motorbike battery warm in winter so the case does not freeze or crack. If you remove it from its cradle, put it down on wood or another warm surface. Steel gets real cold in winter, and the battery will discharge faster. If your motorcycle has been standing for several weeks, always recharge the battery so the bike starts right away. Running a battery flat while cranking the engine is a sure-fire way not to have healthy motorcycle batteries.
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