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How to Keep Your Motorcycle or ATV Battery in Peak Condition: Four Maintenance Tips

Mike Regans | Jan 24, 2012 |

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Just like all of your significant purchases, your motorcycle or ATV needs regular attention to maintain your investment. One of the parts that requires the most regular maintenance is your motorcycle or ATV battery.

How do batteries work? The generation of electricity is a complicated process. This is a nutshell version of how it happens.

An ATV or motorcycle battery contains six lead cells with positive and negative plates. Each individual cell has just over 2 volts of power.

These cells are submerged in battery acid. An electrical current is generated when electrons in the acid interact with the lead cells. A split-second chemical reaction occurs that creates electricity and delivers it to the vehicle, allowing it to operate.

Recharging is a crucial part of owning an ATV or motorcycle. Batteries discharge at a rate of approximately one percent per day. (This percentage may be slightly lower or higher, depending on your type and brand of motorcycle or ATV battery.) Of course, it also discharges when you drive the vehicle. Therefore, regular charging is necessary.

Recharging your ATV or motorcycle battery takes electrical energy and converts it back into a chemical state. This prepares your battery for the next time you need to use it. It's a continuous cycle that eventually wears out the battery. Consequently, proper care will extend its life.

Your motorcycle or ATV battery is a significant financial investment. It makes sense that you'll want to ensure that it lasts for as long as possible. Plus, proper maintenance will also ensure that you don't get stranded on the road somewhere without power. Here are four maintenance tips that will help:

1) Re-charge AFTER you ride, not before. If you ride regularly (daily to two or three times per week), you should re-charge after you ride. If you notice that your power is getting low, don't wait until your next ride to re-charge. Waiting makes it tempting to skip re-charging if you're running late or only driving a short distance.

Letting your power run too low, though, isn't good for the battery. You may also underestimate just how far you can get on what little power remains and find yourself stopped on the side of the road. It might seem like an inconsequential thing, but charging after a ride instead of before will pay off in the long run.

2) Pay attention to your water level. (This applies only to conventional batteries, not sealed/AGMs.) Battery acid is a mix of water and sulfuric acid. The water will get used up over time, leaving you with pure sulfuric acid. Pure sulfuric acid isn't good for your vehicle.

Don't let your water run dry or near dry, but strive to keep it above at least half full at all times. Use only distilled water. Tap water has too many minerals that can damage and shorten the lifespan of your motorcycle or ATV battery.

Distilled water has had these harmful minerals removed. It costs little, especially when compared to the cost of replacement. (Be sure to securely replace the cap on the water chamber when finished.)

3) Keep the top part of your motorcycle or ATV battery clean and grime-free.

4) Learn how to visually inspect cables and other connections. You shouldn't play around with these things unless you're a mechanic. However, you can easily learn to inspect connections to your motorcycle or ATV battery and ensure they're intact and properly attached.

Refer to your owner's manual or the instructions that came with your motorcycle or ATV battery. It will give you the specifics on how to maintain your particular brand and style.

Do you want to get even more life out of your motorcycle or ATV battery? Consider purchasing a sealed/AGM type. They're sometimes referred to as "maintenance free." They aren't entirely, but they don't have to be filled with water. AGMs will do more than save you a bit of time. They last significantly longer than conventional ones.