Cars and Motorcycles

If you drive a motorcycle, you know there’s nothing quite like the wind in your face and the thrill of the open road. Unfortunately, for unprepared riders, the open road can quickly turn into a desert of isolation, when battery problems leave them stranded without wheels. To protect yourself from unexpected problems, it’s critical that you take proper care of your battery.

Choosing the right battery based on your needs

When riders buy batteries for their bikes, they rarely consider their location on the globe; however, this is actually one of the most important factors, when it comes to evaluating which battery is the right one. If you live in the northern half of the United States, you may be able to get away with a battery that has a shorter life. This is because batteries tend to last up to three times as long in cooler climates. If on the other hand, you live in Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Florida or somewhere else where temperatures consistently climb into the high 90s or low 100s, you should buy a battery that has a longer life.

In the end, even if you spend a lot of money on a high-quality battery, you shouldn’t expect to get more than three to five years of use from it. As your battery nears the end of its life, you can expect more problems; so it makes sense to buy a replacement sooner rather than later in most instances.

Don’t leave your charger at home

Most motorcycles are equipped with an alternator that utilizes gasoline power to charge the battery while the bike is in use; however, on occasion, these mechanisms malfunction – and when they do – riders are almost always left without much warning. If you’ve got your battery charger with you, this type of problem will be nothing but a minor nuisance. On the other hand, if you left it at home, you’ll be thumbing for rides or calling friends to ask for assistance.

Don’t rush through the charging process

No rider wants to be stuck in his or her garage charging a motorcycle battery when the road is calling; however, if you rush through this process, you could end up in harm’s way. Even riders who own the best motorcycle battery chargers and batteries should take the proper safety precautions before hooking one to the other. Protective goggles, gloves and clothing will keep potential acid discharge from burning the skin and eyes. Additionally, smart riders have a box of baking soda close by to help neutralize acid spills and treat burns when necessary.