Oftentimes, car owners don’t pay too much attention to their motorcycle batteries. They only attend to it once it stopped working or caused serious damage. When this occurs, there would be panic and delay in schedules, which for most is a big no-no as they may be running late into an appointment. This is the reason why it’s vital to monitor it, so you can know when the best time to replace your motorcycle battery before it even causes you headache.
If you are experiencing some issues on your motorcycle battery, but not sure if you need to replace it, here are some signs that you need to get a new motorcycle battery.
On modern bikes, some conditions disallow the motorcycle to start if, for example, you haven’t pulled the clutch in or the side stand isn’t up. Check to see if the key is in the ignition position. Such tiny detail can lead to more issues on your ride, such as a dead battery. If your engine is turning over at the appropriate speed when you twist the key, then you probably don’t have a problem with your motorcycle battery. However, if it’s a cranking issue, then your diagnosis is most likely a battery issue.
Once you've uncovered the terminal, you will need either a multimeter or voltmeter. Adjust to DC voltage that includes 12-volt. The majority of meters have a 20-volt setting that works manually. By touching the positive or red lead to the red terminal on the battery, and doing the same with the black, negative lead, you can deduce the voltage. Any voltage less than 11 should be charged, with the ideal level between 13 and 13.6. Take note that inconsistent readings means that your vehicle is asking for a battery replacement.
A fast way to see if your small motorcycle battery is still good, then it’s better to check the headlight. If the beam is dim and flickering, you probably have a battery-related issue. Additionally, if you tap your horn and it doesn't seem to have as much volume as it used to, or if it doesn't make any noise, this is another indicator that your battery needs to be replaced.
Most of the time, the batteries will heat up due to maximised usage or difficult road trip activities. If this occurs, you'll most likely see or smell smoke coming from underneath the engine. This problem may be caused by a short circuit, blown a fuse, or a problem with the battery itself. In any case, these mean you have to replace your battery with new motorcycle batteries.
If there is a little charge on motorcycle batteries, the horn will sound weaker, and the headlights wouldn’t be as bright as before, plus some things may work while others don't. If the battery is completely dead, the motorbike is going nowhere.
A small motorcycle battery can be dead because the rotor and stator haven’t been recharging it. In this case, jumping the battery won't last long because the charge will drain again quickly. You may need to shop for a new rotor and stator.
Batteries have a finite life, so try to keep track of when your last battery was installed. You may look for the date stamp on your battery for this. Good preventative maintenance is simply to change a battery when it gets close to the end of its serviceable life.
A motorcycle battery can lose about 1% of its charge per day when not run. Hence, if you have been regularly letting your vehicle sit for long periods without running it, you might want to check its condition immediately. There’s a big possibility that it is now dead or not as operational as before. If you tried to start it up again, and your engine didn’t roar, then it may be the right time for a small motorcycle battery replacement.
By considering this list of dead battery signs, you will surely have an easier time checking if it’s time for your motorcycle battery to be replaced or repaired. Just remember that a failing battery can cause further damage to your vehicle, such as the alternator, belt, and so forth. Hence, when you notice that your battery needs a new one, make sure to find the best shop online to purchase from. Keep in mind that while these batteries aren’t engineered to last forever, it pays off to get the best quality product that can last longer than standard ones.