It is essential to know your motorcycle battery’s state at all times. Testing your motorcycle battery regularly is one of the surest ways to guarantee its long life. Compared to car batteries, motorcycle batteries need more maintenance, mainly because they are lead acid batteries that go through a natural discharging process if not charged. Here are some tips on how to check your motorcycle’s battery.
Step 1: Take Safety Precautions
It is vital to first check for the battery, testing basics and safety procedures. Because the batteries contain lead acid, they are highly flammable. As such, it is crucial to work in a well-aerated area, check for any leaks, corroded terminals or cracks. Personal protective equipment such as eye protection and gloves are a must-have.
Step 2: Initial Testing
One of the most critical things needed at this stage is a digital voltmeter alongside protective equipment. Before performing a load test, start with a static test to confirm if the battery is fully charged. There are two options; you can either use a charger or take a ride to ignite the charging system to do its job. Let the battery cool for at least one hour before testing.
Remember to turn off the motorcycle as you do the following;
- Adjust the voltmeter to DC scale (for 0–24,
- Attach positive meter lead to the corresponding positive terminal on the battery.
- Do the same with the negative meter lead and attach to the negative terminal
- Attach negative meter lead to the negative battery terminal
- Take readings and record voltage
Any reading that is 12VDC and below means that the battery is not fully charged and needs to be recharged.
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Step 3: Load Testing
A load test involves the observation of a battery to determine to what percentage it is charged and how much more charge is needed to be fully charged. Even though there are some non-conventional ways to do a load test on your battery, the recommended methods are the use of a digital voltmeter (0.5% accuracy or more) or a temperature-compensated hydrometer.
While load testing, follow these steps:
- In an open and well-ventilated area, put the motorcycle in a stable position and ensure the transmission is in neutral.
- Carefully place the voltmeter in such a way that you can read it while starting the motorcycle.
- Start the motor engine while at the same time checking the voltage. If the battery and its charging system are in perfect condition, it should drop to about 10 to 11 volts as the engine starts.
- However, if as the engine starts the voltage drops to 9.5 volts and below, it means that one or more of the battery cells may be bad and need to be replaced immediately.
It is the battery that gives a motorcycle life. Without a good battery, you're not riding anywhere. If you think you may have a faulty battery, you should avoid riding your bike until you get a new one, or a diagnosis from a professional. Follow the above guidelines on how to test your motorcycle battery and make it a routine to do the same regularly as part of the preventive maintenance procedures.
