Lead-acid batteries, including conventional wet cell and maintenance-free, are still the most common kind on the market, but they can differ significantly in terms of cost, quality, and convenience. Motorcycle batteries today fall into one of a few broad categories, and it's important to consider the pros and cons of each before setting out to invest in a new one. As two-wheeled technology has evolved to include larger engines and a whole host of other electronic components, batteries have become an integral part of the modern motorcycle, but they're still one of the most common parts to fail or fall into disrepair. It's a common, not to mention headache-inducing, scenario, and one that any motorcycle enthusiast has likely dealt with at least once or twice over the course of his or her ownership. Instead, what you get in response is a dreadful clicking sound - your battery is dead. You go down to the garage, pull it out into the driveway, and turn the key, expecting to hear that V-twin engine come alive in all its two-cylinder glory. The sun is finally out and you're ready to take your shiny new sportster for a spin. We also added the Yuasa YTX20HL to the bunch, placing it in the #3 spot, due its great value and impressive CCA rating of 310. We liked that this one is a lithium-iron battery, which tends to be safer and more efficient than its lithium-ion counterpart. Most of our prior picks have held strong in the ranking, although we have bumped our previous top pick, the Chrome YTX14-BS iGel, to the #2 spot to make room for the Shorai LFX14A4-BS12. Since our last update, relatively little has changed on the motorcycle battery marketplace, and we are pleased to see that our previous list stood the test of time. For more long-lasting, lightweight choices, see our list of lithium-ion batteries for motorcycles. Models that contain acid should be handled with care to avoid damaging clothing or injuring the skin. Unlike many, this one features a digital display that reads the battery’s alternator voltage and also warns you of a low voltage.įor safety’s sake you should wear protective glasses and gloves whenever installing, removing, or otherwise handling a motorcycle battery. Its absorbent glass mat technology keeps it from suffering leaks and corrosion. If you’re looking for a sealed lead-acid model that requires little to no maintenance, check out the Chrome YTX14-BS iGel. Like the Antigravity model, this one comes with foam spacers, which prove useful when it’s being put in the place of a larger battery. It’s designed to weigh up to 80% less than typical lead-acid choices, and can start your vehicle quickly even in cold temperatures. Some find the non-threaded terminals to be problematic during installation, and also many simply don’t feel the significant cost savings are warranted when you have to fill a battery with its acid and charge it once it arrives.įor a lithium-iron battery that features strong chemical and thermal stability, it’s hard to go wrong with the Shorai LFX14A4-BS12, which stays cool to the touch and boasts a long lifespan. To make room for this model, we removed the ACDelco ATX20LBS, which can suffer a relatively short lifespan. It features a small footprint and comes with installation foam that's handy if you're replacing a larger battery. Its impressive 360 cold cranking amps help ensure both reliable starting and a fast motor turnover. This new addition weighs only 2-1/4 pounds, which makes it a good choice for high-performance sport bikes, since a lighter motorcycle handles better. The previous list only contained a couple of such models, which tend to weigh a lot less than traditional lead-acid ones, and also have a lower rate of self-discharge, making them a lot more efficient. In order to better round out the list in this update, we added another lithium battery, the Antigravity AG-1201.
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