The battery is the heart and soul of your motorcycle. Without a proper battery, your bike will not function – it is the element that pumps energy and provides the power needed to start the engine of your bike regardless the weather conditions, it supplies additional power when the main charging system can’t keep up with the energy demand, and acts like a stabilizer for the entire charging system. This is why you have to make sure the battery you use is a good quality one – your bike will thank you and you will enjoy a safe and pleasant ride.
Whether you are new to motorcycling or you have been riding for years now, choosing the best motorcycle battery can be challenging, and with technology constantly evolving, selecting the optimal battery is even harder if you are not well-informed. The battery you choose can be a critical influence on the overall bike’s performance. By finding the right motorcycle battery, you can avoid all sorts of problems and unpleasant situations. Keep reading in order to find out how to choose the best battery for your bike.
Maybe you want to change the old battery with a new one, or you want to update your motorcycle. In each case, the process of choosing the best battery for your bike might take a while and you want the product you choose to hold up for quite some time, right?
There are many factors you need to consider when choosing a battery for your motorcycle.
There are so many models available with so many different characteristics. In order to simplify your shopping process, we have selected five of the best motorcycle batteries on the market to present you their benefits, advantages and disadvantages according to customer reviews and price.
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MX30L - MOTORCYCLE BATTERY - 600+ CCA | 6.54 x 4.96 x 6.89 inches | 22.5 lbs |
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HDX20L - Harley Davidson Replacement Motorcycle Battery | 5.5 x 5.2 x 6.95 inches | 19 lbs |
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MX20L - MOTORCYCLE BATTERY - 500+ CCA | 5.2 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches | 18.5 lbs |
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YTX12-BS Sealed iGel Motorcycle Battery | 5.91 x 3.43 x 5.12 inches | 19.5 lbs |
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HDX14L - Harley Davidson Replacement Motorcycle Battery | 7.2 x 6.8 x 6.3 in | 10.7 lbs |
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Looking for a high-power battery for your bike? The first suggestion on our list of the best motorcycle batteries is the MC30L Motorcycle Battery 600+ CCA developed by ThrottleXBatteries. It provides everything that you want from a battery and a little more. This extraordinary battery was designed for performance on the road and improves the entire riding experience. It is a factory activated premium AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery with non spillable sealed technology and heat seated cover that was crafted to meet and even exceed the specification of the original battery – 600+ CCA and 30 A.H. The top and the sides of this battery provide both strength and versatility making the product more resistant at vibrations. The dimensions of this battery are: L = 6 5/8, W = 5 3/16, H = 6 7/8, and it weighs 22.5 lbs.
Besides all these benefits, this battery is budget friendly. You can’t go wrong when you choose it. If you are looking to change your old battery, before choosing this one, make sure it fits your bike! And if it doesn’t, you don’t have to worry – it comes with a 12-month free replacement warranty plus a 30-day money back guarantee if you don’t like it.
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If you are looking for a new battery for your beloved Harley Davidson, this is the perfect option. The HDX20L has the same features as her bigger sister, the more powerful HDX30L we have reviewed above. With a spill-proof and leak-proof design, and a heat-sealed cover and resistant threaded terminals, the HDX20L battery will give your motorcycle the power it needs. What we like the most about this battery is that it is made in the USA and is has the same quality and power as the original equipment battery – 310 CCA and 18 AH, being constructed in the same manufacturing facility as the original Harley Davidson batteries. Plus, it has AGM separators between the plates which absorb the acid making the battery completely leak and spill proof.
The XDX20L premium battery is not only one of the best motorcycle batteries on the market, but also one of the most popular. It is ideal choice for the following Harley Davidson models: 1991 – 2016 Fat Boy, Softails, Super Glide, 1997 to 2003 Sportster, 1993 – 2016 Low Rider, 2008 – 2016 Night Rod, 1993 – 2016 Wide Glide, 2008 – 2016 V-Rod.
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It looks like ThrottleX is a popular choice among motorcycle enthusiasts, and there is no wonder why as the manufacturer is trying to gain recognition through products of the highest quality. If high performance and increased durability are the features you are looking for in a motorcycle battery, then the MX20L Motorcycle Battery – 500+ CCA might be the perfect option. This battery was designed with functionality and performance in mind – featuring the activated AGM technology you don’t have to worry about spillage or leakage no matter the angle it is installed. The AGM separator is tearing resistance, it is protected by full frame plates for enhanced cranking amps and low discharge rates.
What we like the most about this battery is its vibration resistance technology which guaranteed safety, durability, service life and, of course, performance. This is one of the best motorcycle batteries that will surely exceed your highest expectations. More than that, this battery is designed with cold cranking amps CCA 500+ which makes it the perfect choice for riders who live in places with extreme winter weather conditions.
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With this YTX12-BS High Performance motorcycle battery you can’t go wrong as you get to enjoy a maintenance-free, high-performance battery, designed to offer safety and effectiveness. This battery is constructed by Chrome Pro Battery with lead calcium alloy and absorbed glass mat technologies, using the highest quality materials in order to provide safety, OEM compatibility, performance, and resistance to wear, pressure, and torquing. This product is estimated to crank or up to 15 minutes with a 25 amp draw before dropping below 10.5 volts.
The manufacturer is well-known for producing high-quality sealed batteries and exceptional prices. The YTX12-BS battery is a fully rechargeable, powersport battery that comes fully charged and is ready to be installed. What we like the most about this battery are the advanced features such as: the digital display that reads the battery alternator voltage and warns you in case of low voltage and other abnormalities, a tough bridge welding that increase the battery’s resistance to vibrations and makes this battery a premier choice among power sport enthusiasts. The battery is injected with Gel Electrolytes offering a completely maintenance-free product. Plus, this product comes with a 60-day money back guarantee and an 18 month warranty so, if you are not satisfied with your purchase, you don’t have to worry.
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The last choice on our list of best motorcycle batteries is the HDX14L constructed by the reputed brand ThrottleX Batteries, well-known for manufacturing high-quality batteries dedicated to Harley Davidson motorcycles. Just like the other two ThrottleX Batteries presented above, the HDX14L is manufactured in the USA by the same manufacturer that produces the original equipment battery. As a Harley Davidson owner, you should replace your old battery only with a premium one, and this is what this product offers. With this amazing battery, the performance of your beloved Harley will be enhanced.
The HDX14L is considered the best battery for Harley Davidson motorcycles. It is manufactured with patented solid female threaded terminal that can be fitted with stainless steel bolts. The AGM (absorbed glass mat) technology ensures that the battery will never spill, providing safety and an excellent riding experience. This is a low-maintenance battery that comes with a heat-sealed protection to resist extremely high temperature conditions.
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Just like car’s batteries, those that lead electricity to a motorcycle’s alternator can be weakened in time, which is why they need to be tested from time to time, especially if you are planning to replace it. Sometimes, the batteries are simply not used enough due to the fact that the motorcycle is only driven occasionally. If that is the case, the battery might only need to be recharged or jump started. In order to test the battery, you must first make sure that the case isn’t cracked, that no acid is leaking and that there aren’t any signs of discoloration. If everything looks ok, you should still do one more check. The battery vent tube should not be kinked or pinched, so you should take a look at that, too.
If you want to test the battery for normal gravity or current, then you have three options to choose from, depending on the model of the battery. A hydrometer, a voltmeter or a digital conductance tester can be used for testing. Hydrometers are used to measure specific gravity, the main sign that you should replace the battery being the fact that the specific gravity does not increase to indicate a full charge. Voltmeters can be used to do an open circuit voltage test in order to determine the state-off charge and the ability to hold a charge. A digital conductance tester can be used to test batteries with acid specific gravity.
Yes, motorcycle batteries can be charged, as long as they aren’t too old or too damaged for that. Charging a battery isn’t rocket science, but still requires some basic knowledge in order to avoid damaging it. In order to do it the right way, you should first check what type of battery you have on your motorcycle: lead acid, absorbed glass mat, gel battery, Lithium-based battery etc. Due to the fact that motorcycle batteries don’t really behave well if discharged, it is recommended to use a trickle charger rather than a jump starter. Trickle chargers are capable of fuelling the battery with current slowly, but safely. Another great option are float chargers that are being used to charge a battery and then switch it on and off to keep the charge at an optimal level.
If you have never maintained a motorcycle’s battery, you probably don’t know that a lead acid battery needs to be topped up from time to time. If you already knew this, but you aren’t sure why it is necessary, you should know that this type of battery goes through 3 cycles: formatting, peak and decline. During the last phase, it gets closer and closer to its expiration date. The good news is that lead acid batteries’ life can be prolonged by topping it up, meaning that you can give it a 16-hour charge from time to time, using a trickle charger, for instance. Doing this will help eliminate sulphates and other deposits that can damage the battery in time.
There are many different types of motorcycle batteries available on the market to choose from. The best motorcycle battery is the one that perfectly meet, and even exceed your needs in terms of budget, power, safety, size, amps, warranty, and staying power. You could choose from all of these best motorcycle batteries we have reviewed, but you have to make sure the product you choose fits your bike and your needs.
