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Tips to Improve Your Bike's Battery Life

By Juhi Walia
03 August 2022, 11:26 AM

A faulty battery can be a hurdle to your bike's optimal performance. It is therefore important to ensure that it is always in good working order.

While the battery usually gets checked when there is a problem with the bike or it is being serviced, here are some maintenance tips that should help you improve your bike’s battery life.

Check the Wiring Regularly

To ensure your bike’s battery lasts long, keep checking its wiring. A problem with the wiring can cause a lot of trouble, affecting the battery and other components. Rodents, rain, wind, and other elements can result in battery wiring issues. Paying attention to the wiring and spotting any such problem early would help prevent any major complications.

Keep the Terminals Clean

Battery terminals tend to get dirty from the leakage of electrolytes, giving rise to further complications when the dust starts seeping in. This, over time, results in corrosions in the surface metal, resulting in poor contact a few months or years down the line.

Such corrosions can create a rust layer, affecting a battery's conductivity and reducing its useful life significantly. It initially begins with a reduced power supply before resulting in no ignition, which may be dangerous, leaving you stranded halfway from your destination.

Check the Terminal Fastening

Loose terminals or erroneous contact between battery terminals increase the risk of sparking and even heat loss. They eventually result in reduced longevity for the battery, coupled with high current draws, leading to quick discharges.

To best minimize such risks, owners can be recommended to tighten the terminal nuts using a wrench. It is also advisable to regularly grease terminals to keep dirt from getting in the way and giving rise to rust.

Top Up the Battery Regularly

The electrolytes in the battery get used as it charges and discharges. You must top up the electrolyte over time, or the battery will start degrading. It is advisable to check the battery periodically for electrolyte levels.

If unsure how much you should fill, look to the side for markers that tell you about the minimum and maximum points. Use only distilled water because water with impurities can be harmful to the battery and cause irreparable damage to the electrolyte.

Check the Fuse Often

A fuse is a simple yet critical safety mechanism for the battery that keeps it away from severe damage. Regularly checking the fuse ensures that your battery remains protected in case of surges due to any of the above-mentioned factors.

Changing fuses at regular intervals is recommended, even when they are in fine working conditions. This is especially because most riders will be unaware of any faults in the fuse, and the cost of replacing them is minimal compared to battery replacements.

Don’t Overburden the Battery

These days, bike owners want to improve the aesthetics of their vehicles by adding extras like LEDs powered by the battery. It is recommended not to add unnecessary frills that could drain the bike’s battery.

You can consult an expert to determine how much additional load the battery can withstand before deciding on the lights and other modifications.

Disconnect When Not in Use

There can be several reasons for not using the bike for prolonged periods. When left unused for a long time, the bike’s battery can die. Disconnecting the battery in such cases can help enhance its lifespan.

For example, you can consider disconnecting it from the bike if you are not riding your vehicle during the rainy season.

Resolve Any Issues Promptly

Try not to ignore any battery-related issues in your bike. Whenever you suspect a problem with the vehicle’s battery, make sure to get it checked by a mechanic at the earliest. 

Putting off such issues can be detrimental to the battery’s health and lifespan.

Check the Battery Regularly for Leaks

Battery leaks remain common even in this day and age, and only regular checks can help identify and rectify them. They often result from improper installations or mechanical damage from heavy usage.

Here again, there are possibilities of distilled water, dust and the electrolyte wreaking havoc on your battery, damaging it beyond repair if you don't address it immediately.

Final Thoughts

Apart from regular servicing, you can follow some simple tips to ensure your bike’s battery remains in its optimal state and has a long life. Following these maintenance tips should help you extend the battery’s life and your bike’s performance. Consider opting for comprehensive bike insurance to protect the rest of your bike from any natural or man-made calamities. 

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FAQs

1. How to maintain a bike battery when not in use?

When not in use, you can disconnect the battery from the vehicle and store it in a safe and dry place. Ensure it stays protected against cold weather to avoid cracking or freezing.

2. What can kill a bike's battery?

Several elements can drain a bike's battery, including bad terminal connection, corroded terminals, or too many electrical add-ons.

3. Which liquid is used in a bike’s battery?

A mixture of distilled water and sulfuric acid is used in a bike’s battery as a conductor to create an electrical charge.

4. How do you know if your bike's battery is dying?

The obvious signs of battery dying can be found through a visual inspection. Look for any fluid leakage, discoloration, crack or bulge in the casing or broken terminals.

5. How can you maintain a bike's battery?

To maintain your bike’s battery, ensure that it is always clean and does not get corroded. Inspect battery wiring and the fuse regularly. Electrolyte levels should be kept in check and refilled at regular intervals.

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