A two-wheeler is the go-to source for almost all our commuting needs. Unsurprisingly, it’s the most common mode of transport due to its ease of use and speed. Bike owners take good care of their vehicles, making sure it looks slick and protecting it with two wheeler insurance. It’s just as crucial to maintain one of its main components that enables the two wheeler to practically do everything — right from powering up to running smoothly and managing other functions such as lights and horn. A part that’s used all the time ought to be prone to wear and tear. However, there are ways to ensure the battery’s longevity by maintaining it well so that it performs better, lives longer and conserves your budget. Here are some recommendations to keep in your maintenance practices:
Check the Charging Levels
The battery needs an ideal level of charging to run smoothly and have a long life. It is better to ensure that you keep checking the charging levels periodically to avoid it draining and creating any hassle while riding. You can have a multimeter handy so that you can check the charging levels at home itself. It is also recommended that you keep the bike running for at least fifteen minutes to get good results.
Avoid Overloading
Many users put high-powered lighting and taillights on their bikes. Some even use the battery from their bike to charge their computers with portable DC and AC chargers. It could reduce the battery‘s life. Thus, avoid making such alterations and not overload your bike’s battery.
Topping Up the Electrolyte Regularly
The electrolyte in your battery is used when you charge and discharge it. To prevent degradation of your battery, the electrolyte needs to be at its ideal levels. Make sure to frequently top out the electrolyte and maintain these levels if you want to use the two-wheeler bike battery for an extended period of time.
Check and Clean the Battery Terminals
Over time, the battery's negative and positive terminals collect rust, calcium, and other deposits. Hence, it's recommended to clean the terminals every few days to guarantee that your bike’s battery lasts as long as possible. If you do not keep these connections clean, the battery may begin to operate poorly after a while.
Keep a Check on Wires
Accidental fires are among the most common causes of claims for two-wheeler insurance coverage. The majority of these fires occur because the cables are poorly maintained. Short circuits can emerge if the wire is torn or the insulation layer is worn out. As a result, it is critical to monitor the health of the wires in order to extend the battery life of a bike.
Cell Current Checking is Important
The cells in your two-wheeler provide an adequate amount of current. However, regularly inspecting the amperes and current in each cell is important, as underperforming cells indicate that the battery is malfunctioning. So, checking the current of the cell is one of the best ways to extend the life of a battery.
Disconnecting the Battery When Not in Use
If you are not riding your two-wheeler on a daily basis, or if it’s going to be idle for a long period of time, removing the battery is an effective way to extend its average life. Furthermore, detaching the battery allows you to use it for a longer period of time.
Try Kick-starting for the First Ride of the Day
Since self-start is one of the key reasons why every bike has a battery, it is also one of the main causes of it draining. Almost all two-wheelers are equipped with a kick-start feature. Instead of the self-start, it’s advisable to use it whenever possible to save your battery, especially when you are riding for the first time in a day. Doing this specifically during winters will significantly extend the life of your bike’s battery.
Safeguard it from Direct Exposure to the Sun or Rain
Although the majority of bike batteries are made to survive rough terrain and inclement weather, you must avoid its exposure to direct sunshine and rain as doing so may cause the battery to swell up or even explode.
Avoid Overusing the Battery
When you use your bike's battery without turning on the motor, you may be overusing it. Examples include charging your phone while riding without starting the engine or accidentally leaving the headlights on at night. All of these factors can shorten a two-wheeler’s battery life and cause battery problems.
Conclusion
Your bike’s battery deserves the same kind of care and attention as any crucial or precious object. If you manage to use the battery judiciously, prevent overloading, and use the traditional kick-start instead of the auto-start as much as possible, you will be elongating its life. You also need to keep a regular check on its charging levels, cleanliness and maintenance of the terminals, wires and cell current. Disconnecting the battery when not in use and safeguarding it from harsh weathers will also go a long way in extending its life and enhancing its efficiency. If you religiously follow these, you will be saved from frequently changing your battery and coughing up money. Win-win for your bike and for you!
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