Understanding battery shelf life will help you make sure you get the most out of your battery, regardless of whether you run a motorcycle shop or are just a parts enthusiast. This guide will explain how batteries lose power over time and even provide a few easy tips for keeping your battery fresh when it’s not in use.
We are all aware that motorcycle parts have a limited lifespan. The battery usually fails first in cars, on the whole. Thus, the question of how long a motorcycle battery lasts is raised.
Depending on how well you take care of it, a motorcycle battery should last between two and five years. However, the sad reality is that most people don’t get more than 2 years out of their motorcycle’s battery.
If you are one of those who still get confused, we are here to help. Let’s first address our primary question before examining a number of related factors.
Average Lifespan of Motorcycle Battery
A typical battery life for a motorbike should last at least 2-5 years with proper maintenance. It can be challenging for the majority of riders to have a battery that lasts longer than two years.
The truth is not as cut-and-dry as that, like many other things. The battery’s lifespan is determined by a number of foreseeable or inescapable factors. It would be beneficial if you adjusted your estimation of its typical lifespan in light of particular usage scenarios.
A Battery of a Motorcycle Ridden by a Commuter
If you use your motorcycle as frequently as a commuter, the battery can work well between 3 and 5 years. This estimation can be exact for your daily motorcycling routine in all climates but the frozen one in winter. It’s possible that you’ll start to run into problems after this period of time.
Moreover, you can ensure the device’s longevity of 3-5 years only when you charge it daily. Also, the recommended voltage should range from 12.5 to 12.6 only. Further Reading: How Long Does It Take To Charge A Motorcycle Battery?
A Battery of a Motorcycle Ridden by a Weekend Warrior
As a weekend warrior, how long should a motorcycle battery last? In a normal climate, the motorbike battery often begins its degradation after the first two years of running. Nevertheless, because of the extreme cold, the frozen climate has a tendency to reduce the desired battery lifespan.
A Battery of a Motorcycle Without Running
There is no doubt that if you keep your motorbike “silent” for days or weeks, its battery will die right after 3-4 months without getting turned on.
Hence, starting the engine also involves recharging the battery. As a result, the battery-powered component in your car will only last for four months if you forget to read this note.
The battery in your car can last longer if it is more recent. For instance, a brand-new device can last four months even if the engine is not used for several weeks. The older ones, however, frequently last only about one month before losing their utility.
In general, not running the vehicle for a long period of time constitutes one of the most common factors causing the battery to die. Weeks could pass before the rider resumes going to work. Alternatively, you could go on vacation without your motorcycle.
A Battery of a Motorcycle in Winters
The story might seem a little unbelievable, but your motorcycle battery can suffer from the harsh winter.
If your area experiences freezing temperatures, we advise running your car at least once a week. The battery won’t deplete before the spring using this technique, which helps to guarantee it. Applying that maintenance every two weeks is still acceptable for newer devices.
How long do motorcycle batteries last without periodically starting the engine? We are afraid of no more than two weeks, especially in the snow. Always keep in mind that the battery needs to be fully charged at all times.
How to Extend Motorcycle Battery Shelf Life?
Battery maintenance is one of the most important factors affecting how long a battery will last. A neglected battery won’t likely last as long as one that has been well-maintained.
Don’t Let the Battery Die Fully
It’s possible you’ve done it previously. Leaving the key in the ignition for a long time will completely drain the battery. Your battery might be able to fully recharge if you recharge it quickly enough.
However, this isn’t something you should do on a regular basis. Similar to slamming your motorcycle battery in the face, doing so will almost certainly reduce its lifespan.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should turn the key in the ignition to turn the bike off rather than using the kill switch.
When Necessary, Recharge Your Battery
Battery charging should be done on a regular basis, as previously stated. To do this, you can either pedal a bike or charge a battery.
Your battery’s life will be cut short if you don’t charge it correctly. At the very least, you should charge your motorcycle battery once per month. Do you do it in the winter as well? It’s probably not a problem in the summer. It merits thought.
Keeping the Proper Water Level
Overcharging or evaporation might cause your traditional battery to lose water over time. Your battery’s water/acid mixture has a minimum and maximum level.
The battery plates may be left open if the battery level falls below the minimum. As a result, corrosion can happen very quickly. An internal short caused by corroding battery plates can quickly destroy your battery.
The water levels in a conventional motorcycle battery must be checked because of this. Are they minimum or close to it? In that case, you could fill them with distilled water.
Further Reading: How To Disconnect Motorcycle Battery?
When & How to Replace Motorcycle Batteries?
Batteries for motorcycles will eventually run out, as we all know. Additionally, the shelf life we mentioned above is under ideal circumstances, so there is a high likelihood that your battery will be prematurely depleted or dead. Below are some signals to assist you:
When to Replace?
- While the motorcycle is running, the alternator or generator of your vehicle charges the battery. However, the battery is unable to maintain that correct charging. Then, your “baby” does not start the next time.
- When you start the car, the engine either doesn’t crank or cranks slowly.
- The battery type is around five years old. At that point, even if the battery shows no signs of malfunction, you should make a replacement to reduce your chance of becoming stranded.
How to Replace?
- You should start by removing the outdated device. If you do not know where it is, the service manual can help.
- Slide the battery out once you’ve located it. the system’s terminals for providing electricity can then be accessed. It’s imperative to cut the negative battery cables at this stage. As soon as you can break the circuit, remove the positive ones.
- Now, it is time to remove the whole old battery and replace it with a new device. Additionally, remember to maintain a consistent temperature.
Final Words: How Long Does a Motorcycle Battery Last?
How long a motorcycle battery lasts does not hit the same for all cases. In other words, different usage patterns and hardware setups can result in different battery life.
Motorcycle batteries are notorious for having short lifespans. What the majority of people miss, though, is that a battery’s capacity to function for a longer period of time is significantly influenced by good maintenance.
