Brands of Motorcycle Batteries
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A lot of big battery companies supply and/or manufacture their own motorcycle batteries. I have taken some of their advertising material and placed in one convenient place for you. My preference in terms of quality and performance is from top to bottom. Most of them talk about their maintenance free models, but safety when handling batteries is still important. Motorcycle batteries are not as simple as they seem.
Odyssey
The Odyssey battery ingeniously uses absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology to offer, in one box, the characteristics of two separate batteries. It can deep cycle as well as provide enormous cranking power.
These batteries are capable of providing engine cranking pulses in excess of 2250A for 5 seconds as well as 400 charge/discharge cycles to 80% depth of discharge (DOD). A typical starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery can do one or the other, but not both.
Odyssey batteries will do both - provide short duration high amperage pulse or low rate long duration drains.
- 2, 3 or 4 year full warranty
- 12 year military design
- Drycell sealed technology
- 60% more cranking power
- Deep cycle design
- Mount in any position - any place
- Brass terminals, non-corrosive
- Steel jacket for severe use
Yuasa
Yuasa means more power, less maintenance and longer life!
- The most convenient battery you can buy. You’ll like the ease of maintenance free batteries. No spilling, no leaks, no water to check. Topping off is a thing of the past.
- The most powerful battery you can buy. You get up to 30% more cold cranking amps and increased starting power thanks to a radial grid design and additional plates. And, there’s less charging during storage.
- The longest-lasting battery you can buy. You’ll buy one Yuasa High Performance Maintenance Free Battery for every three conventional batteries.
- The most dependable battery you can buy. Exceptional resistance to vibration
Exide/Champion
Tough. Reliable. Whether you ride daily, seasonally, or just on weekends, you’ll get more enjoyment out of your motorcycle, ATV, PWC or snowmobile with a Champion Power Sport battery. Our batteries perform reliably during off-road, over water and cold weather use, and keep their charge even after months of storage.
Available in traditional flooded or the new sealed AGM designs, Champion batteries are built to withstand punishing vibration, salt spray, gas and oil, and to protect against equipment-damaging spills, corrosion and seepage. And because nothing ruins a weekend faster than a dead battery, we use advanced designs and manufacturing techniques to shorten current paths and reduce resistance, giving you higher cranking power and maximum battery life.
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With oil prices soaring, more and more consumers are heading down the motorcycle and scooter path. Demand for motorcycle batteries is increasing and manufacturers are very aware of this trend. For more on types of batteries click here.
Safety with Motorcycle Batteries
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Safety with motorcycle batteries is the same as safety with any batteries. Even though most big brands are pushing their maintenance free models, you should still be careful. First of all, make sure your work area is well-ventilated and well-lit.
For your person:
- Make sure you wear appropriate clothing - an apron
or smock will protect your clothes. - Always wear a face shield or safety goggles.
- Wear plastic gloves to prevent acid burns.
For Acid:
- Clean up any acid spills asap, immediately using a baking soda and water solution to neutralize it (1lb. baking soda in 1 gallon of water).
- Make sure the acid container is clearly marked .
- If sulfuric acid is swallowed or splashed in the eyes, treat immediately. Sulfuric acid in the eyes can cause blindness. Serious internal injuries or death can result if swallowed. Used as an electrolyte, sulfuric acid can burn the skin.
- For acid on the skin, flush with water. If acid is swallowed drink large quantities of milk or water, followed by milk of magnesia, vegetable oil or beaten eggs. Do not induce vomiting. Call a poison control center or doctor immediately.
- Seek medical attention immediately if acid gets splashed in your eyes or is swallowed. Motorcycle batteries are no fun and games.
Because of the above risks with acid I recommend maintenance free motorcycle batteries. I briefly discussed them in my other article.
Charging Safety
Loosen vent caps and ventilate charging area when charging conventional batteries. A buildup of hydrogen and oxygen in the battery or in the charging area can create an explosion hazard.
If the battery feels hot to the touch during charging, STOP. Allow the battery to cool before charging again. Heat damages the plates, and a battery that is too hot can explode.
Make sure the vent tube isn’t kinked or blocked. Otherwise, gases could build up and explode. Refer to the maintenance of motorcycle batteries.
Properly connect the charger to the battery: positive charger lead to positive battery post and negative charger lead to negative battery post. Unplug the charger or turn it off before you disconnect the leads, which will cut down on the chance of sparks.
ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING, SPARKS OR FLAMES AROUND CHARGING BATTERIES. Charging gives off hydrogen and oxygen, which explode if ignited.
Maintenance of your Motorcycle Batteries
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For motorcycle batteries to perform perfectly only a little monthly maintenance is required. The big brands are starting to push their maintenance free models but you still need to do some basics. Keep the battery charged to 100%, recharging when the lights dim, the starter sounds weak, or the battery hasn’t been used in more than two weeks. Other than that, follow this simple check list every month:
The basic guidelines for maintaining your motorcycle batteries:
1. Keep the top of motorcycle batteries clean, dry and free of dirt.
2. Clean the terminals for the prevention of corrosion.
3. Check the electrolyte level. For conventional motorcycle batteries, make sure to keep the acid level between upper and lower lines indicated on the container.
4. Check inside motorcycle batteries for excessive sediment, sulfation or mossing. You should probably read this first.
5. Make sure the exhaust tube is free of kinks and clogs and check cables, clamps, and case for obvious damage or loose connections.
6. Replace caps firmly
7. Do not let the battery stand in a discharged condition.
8. Charge battery once a month.
9. If you store your motorcycle for a long period of time (~ 30 days), plug in a good quality battery charger to maintain a proper charge.
10. Protect motorcycle batteries from strong impacts or shocks. Don’t drop it!
Finish up by testing your motorcycle batteries with either a hydrometer or voltmeter. Make monthly battery maintenance part of your routine to extend the service life of your battery,
Storing Your Battery
If your motorcycle is in storage or used infrequently, the battery cable should be disconnected to eliminate drain from electrical equipment. Charge the battery every two weeks.
For an extended storage period, it’s best to remove the battery from the motorcycle and charge it to 100%. If stored at temperatures below 60° F, charge the battery every month. If you are going to store it in a warm area (above 60° F), it’s best to charge it every two weeks. Make sure that the batteries are stored out of the reach of children.
For safety information relating your motorcycle batteries, click here.
Types of Motorcycle Batteries
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There are two main types of motorcycle batteries – conventional and maintenance free.
Conventional
These include batteries consisting of flooded electrolyte and cell accessible construction. This means that you have to maintain them - you should be aware of safety precautions at all times. They are less expensive than maintenance free but require more attention. With a conventional type battery that offers access to the cell compartments, the periodic addition of distilled water is required. Water loss is normal in these batteries through the process of electrolysis and evaporation. If there are low electrolyte levels due to evaporation, the result is permanent damage to the motorcycle batteries due to exposed lead plates to the air. Therefore, you must maintain the electrolyte levels above the minimum fill lines on the battery and at or below the maximum line. They discharge at a faster rate than maintenance free motorcycle batteries.
Maintenance Free
These are more expensive than conventional motorcycle batteries and are being pushed by the big brands, and for good reason. Maintenance free batteries mean that water loss is eliminated. Once the battery is filled with acid it is permanently sealed - so you’ll never need to fill it with water or check the acid level. It’s totally sealed and all of the acid is absorbed in the special plates and separators, so there is no need to worry about acid leaks on valuable vehicle parts and accessories.
Also, the amount of free-standing electrolyte above the plates is designed to be much higher in a new maintenance-free battery. This means that there’s enough electrolyte to keep the plates covered even after a few seasons of normal use. So, during the battery’s normal service life there should be no need to add water. Any abnormal electrical system condition or high ambient temperatures may boil off more than the normal amount of water, however. Even though this is the more expensive type, when buying motorcycle batteries this is the only type I would purchase. Not worrying about acid leaks is a big plus!
Welcome to Motorcycle Batteries
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Thank you for visiting Motorcycle Batteries. I have spent some time gathering information to help you understand the different types of Motorcycle Batteries. I hope this will help you in your purchasing decisions and give you the tools to buy the best motorcycle battery for your motorcycle. Some information on batteries generally will be included.
Please come back often to read more information on motorcycle batteries. This site has information on the types of motorcycle batteries, how to maintain them, how to maintain them safely and gives some information on the big brands selling motorcycle batteries.
