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Do you love outdoor adventures on a motorcycle? Who wouldn’t? You can travel far to see amazing sites, mountain views, and more. If you like to ride and have a newer motorbike that uses batteries instead of the old kick-start method, or you have a fully electric bike, eventually, you will encounter a dead battery.
We’ll cover knowing when they need charging, preparation and safety measures, and how to charge them correctly so you can stay safe and protect your bike.
Let’s get started so you can get back out there and have fun.
Motorcycle Battery Basics
The old days of manually kick-starting a gas-powered motorcycle are nearly gone since most modern motorbikes are self-starting using built-in batteries to provide the necessary power to start the engine. Then there are the new fully electric bikes coming out.
Both styles have rechargeable storage batteries to supply the necessary power to start (or run) the engine and operate any electrical systems they may have, like lights, horns, meters, etc. Motorcycle batteries are similar to those used in cars but are smaller and have lower mAh of battery storage since they’re used to power a smaller vehicle.
Motorcycle Battery Types
Conventional Lead-Acid
Lead-acid batteries are still the most common type in older bikes. They have lead plates submerged in a sulfuric acid electrolyte solution. These require more maintenance and charging precautions, which, if not followed correctly, can significantly reduce their useful lifespan. On the other hand, deep-cycle lead-acid models have less maintenance since they can be discharged completely.
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)
AGM batteries are similar to conventional lead-acid models but use a fiberglass mat to absorb and hold the electrolyte so that there are no free-flowing liquids. These are better for off-roading than lead-acid since they resist vibration. They also require less maintenance and fail less often since they don’t use liquid sulfuric acid electrolytes, which makes conventional lead-acid models prone to sulfation.
Lithium-Ion and LiFePO4
Lithium-based batteries are the latest in technology and are the preferred model used in most modern motorbikes and for good reason. They have a much higher energy density than traditional models, and they’re lighter and more compact so that you can go further with less. They also last much longer, perform better in cold temperatures, offer faster charging times, and require no extra maintenance.
The latest generation is the LiFePO4, which offers superior safety to lithium-ion since they are not prone to thermal runaway. Their safety, high energy density, and declining costs are quickly making them the first-choice in energy storage.
How Does a Motorcycle Battery Work?
Batteries store electrical energy as chemical energy using a chemical reaction during charging. When the ignition is turned on, the batteries release the stored energy, which is electrical energy used to power up the bike’s electrical system. As it runs, the bike’s alternator recharges the batteries using mechanical energy from movement, ensuring a continuous power supply for the motorcycle.
However, just like car batteries, bike batteries can lose their charge if the alternator isn’t functioning properly or the bike has been stored for some time.
Preparation and Safety Measures
Select the Correct Charger
Never mix and match your chargers. Use a charger designed for your motorbike battery to prevent overcharging or other safety concerns. It might be a trickle or a float charger for conventional lead-acid batteries, a special charger designed for AGM batteries, or a smart charger for charging new lithium models.
Know When to Charge
Don’t charge batteries that don’t need it. Here are some indications it may need a charge:
- It has sat in storage for a long time
- It starts showing signs of low voltage indicated on a dash meter
- The voltage reads low when you use a multimeter or battery tester on it
- Slow-cranking engines could be a sign it is weak
- Dim or flickering headlights and dashboard lights
- Clicking sounds or silence when you try to start your bike could indicate that you lack sufficient power to get it started
Locate the Battery
It may be under your seat, behind the side panels, or in another location. If you’re unsure where to find it, consult your bike’s user manual.
Disconnect and Remove the Battery From the Motorcycle
It’s important to always disconnect batteries before charging them, regardless of what type you have. If it overcharges or has other faults, such as a thermal runaway, off-gassing, overheating, or other issues, it could damage the bike’s electrical system if it remains connected.
Use a wrench or socket to carefully disconnect the negative terminal first and then the positive. Doing it in the correct order is important to prevent accidental short circuits. One way to remember it is “black is first off, last on.”
Then, remove it from the housing, and be careful not to damage any wires or connections as you do.
Take Safety Precautions
Always charge in an open area to avoid accidents from potential overcharging, off-gassing, or other safety issues that could become dangerous if done indoors. It’s also recommended that gloves and safe glasses be worn.
Also, make sure you are not smoking, that there are no open flames nearby, and that there is no source of sparks that can create fire hazards.
Next, check the terminals for signs of damage or corrosion. These should be addressed before you charge. You can use a brush and specially designed cleaners to remove corrosion from terminals. However, the battery should be replaced if the terminals are physically damaged to prevent possible safety issues.
How To Charge a Motorcycle Battery in 6 Steps
1. Connect the Battery Charger to a Power Source
Always use a battery charger to ensure safe charging. Trickle chargers are used to maintain lead-acid batteries in storage so they don’t lose their charge. Float chargers provide a faster charge and switch to a trickle for maintenance mode once they’re full. Smart chargers are newer options that analyze the batteries and adjust the charging rate accordingly.
Plug your charger into a power source like an AC outlet, or use an EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Station for safe and convenient charging outdoors or while traveling. The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max or the EcoFlow DELTA Pro are the best power stations for fast and efficient charging.
However, if lightweight and portability are your primary concerns, especially if you want to pack it on your bike, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Stations will also work. They’re lightweight and compact. However, keep in mind with their lower power output, they will take longer to charge. For this reason, the EcoFlow River 2 Pro works best as a more lightweight charging option for your motorbike.
No matter which EcoFlow Portable Power Station you choose, it can be recharged easily using AC plugs (household power), DC (12V car) power, or EcoFlow Portable Solar Panels so you can keep your batteries and all your other devices powered up and ready to go.
2. Connect the Positive Terminal First
Ensure your battery is disconnected from the bike, and then connect the red clamp from your charger to the positive terminal first, ensuring it feels secure and won’t accidentally loosen. Connecting the red terminal first prevents short circuits.
3. Connect the Negative Terminal
Next, connect the black clamp from your charger to the negative terminal on the battery.
4. Turn on The Power Source
Now, turn on the power on your portable power station.the battery should be replaced if the terminals are physically damaged
5. Follow the Instructions for Your Battery Charger
Different chargers and batteries will have different instructions, so follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Modern chargers often have automatic settings for various models.
Always ensure you don’t smoke or have open flames nearby, and keep the area well-ventilated while charging.
6. Monitor the Charging
After you turn the charger on, watch for any warning lights. If you see any, unplug it immediately, look for the source of the error, address the problem, re-check all your connections, and then reconnect it.
Allow it to charge fully, as indicated by the charger. Overcharging can damage batteries, so if your charger does not have an automatic shutoff feature, you must check it regularly until it is full.
7. Disconnect Immediately Once Charged
When the battery is full, disconnect it immediately. First, disconnect the black clamp from the negative terminal, and then disconnect the red clamp from the positive terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
The safest way to charge your battery is with a charger designed for it and connected to a portable power station outdoors. Lead-acid models use trickle or float chargers, AGM requires special float chargers, and lithium-ion or LiFePO4 batteries are charged with smart chargers.
How long it takes to charge depends on the type of battery type and your charging method. Conventional lead-acid and AGM batteries take 6-24 hours to fully charge, while newer lithium-ion and LiFePO4 models can usually be charged in 1-3 hours.
This depends on your battery and how often you use your motorbike. If you use it often, charging is only necessary if there is an indication of low voltage. Otherwise, charge lead-acid batteries once a month when not in use. Lithium models can be discharged completely, so just charge before use if they have been in long-term storage.
Yes, you should always disconnect batteries when you charge them. If they overheat, overcharge, off-gass, experience thermal runaway, or have other safety issues while connected to your bike, they could cause serious damage to your bike’s electrical system or worse. Don’t take the risk.
Yes, a dead motorcycle battery can be recharged if it’s still good quality, particularly if you have lithium-ion or LiFePO4 models, which can be drained completely and still recharged. Lead-acid models have more issues unless you have a deep-cycle model, so they should be maintained with a trickle charge when in long-term storage.
Final Thoughts
Always follow recommended safety precautions when charging batteries. Disconnect the battery from the bike and remove it before attempting to charge it. Wear safety gloves and glasses and charge them in an open, ventilated area. Always use the right charger for your model and understand the order to connect and disconnect the charging cables to the terminals; remember, black is first off, last on.
Using one of EcoFlow’s Portable Power Stations helps ensure safety by allowing you to bring it outdoors to charge where you know it will be safe. You can even bring it on extended outdoor adventures to keep your batteries charged and ready to go, so nothing will slow you down.