Just like car batteries, the battery used inside your motorcycle provides the required energy to start the engine and keep it running. As such, it is important to have a dependable, durable and appropriate type of battery in your bike. With good maintenance, a good motorbike battery can serve you for about three years. After that, you will find yourself in need of a replacement battery. Currently, there are a plethora of battery brands and types in the market. As such, choosing the best product can be a bit difficult, which is why the team at Car & Biker have thoroughly tested and examined the best batteries and written up this review guide to make your lives easier!
Common Battery Types for Motorcycles
Currently, there are five main types of batteries that you may use for your motorcycle, all of which we have discussed below.
Maintenance Free Batteries
These are some of the most preferred battery types by many motorcycle owners today. We think it is because they require minimal maintenance for them to remain operational and efficient. These batteries feature sealed units to prevent the acid from leaking. This should no bother your as you do not need to top up the level of acid or water in your battery, as is the case with other battery types. However, this option may be comparatively expensive.
Conventional Batteries
This is the most affordable option of all motorcycle battery types. These are mostly Lead based acid batteries, hence must be used in an upright position at all times. This battery type requires regular maintenance, including topping up the acid level with distilled water.
Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries
These are also referred to as the LiFePO4 batteries and are designed to last for a longer period. Owing to their outstanding thermal and chemical stability, these batteries are almost incombustible. These are some of my most preferred batteries for motorcycles as they can serve you well for up to five years without needing any form of maintenance.
Dry Charge, Maintenance Free Batteries
These are ideally maintenance free batteries, but you must add the acid—which is supplied along with the battery—before using the battery. After this initial acid top up of the battery, you can use it as any other maintenance-free motorcycle battery.
Sealed Gel Cell Batteries
Rather than using water, this type of batteries uses an electrolyte gel. The batteries are availed as sealed units that are less susceptible to vibrations. Additionally, this battery type also has a comparatively longer lifespan—as compared to other batter types. In addition to being friendly to the environment, we find these batteries more suited for use in customized bikes than any other type of battery. This is because they do not have to be mounted in an upright position like the other battery types we have listed above.In addition to considering the battery type to use in your motorbike, there are other considerations you need to make so as to get the best. Over the years we have been in the industry, we have come across various battery brands and types, some of which are good and others that are not. While coming up with this list of the best motorcycle batteries, we used the following considerations:
The climate – for those living in cold climates, a battery that will offer more cold-ranking and cranking amps is a better option. In this regard, a battery offering about 1.2 volts per cell for about 30 seconds at 32 degrees Fahrenheit is a good option.
Lower drainage ranges—if you are buying the lead-acid batteries, one with a lower acid drainage rate, preferably between 0.5 and 1 percent, is preferred.
Dependability—the battery brands listed below are some of the most dependable options in the market today. As such, they will work efficiently for a longer period.
While this is the case, you should always get the battery that is ideal for your motorbike—with regards to shape, size and power rating. The following are some of the best brands of motorcycle batteries today.
1.Battery Tender BTL14A240C Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
The BTL35A480C battery by Battery Tender offers an impressive 480 cold-cranking amps. This makes the battery powerful enough to handle the starting need of almost any type of motorcycle, regardless of the weather condition. If you are looking forward to upgrading from a lead-acid battery, I advise you to opt for this LiFePO4 battery and reap the many benefits it has to offer, including an extended lifespan and lightweight; the battery is about 80 percent lighter than most lead-acid batteries. The fact that this battery option does not ‘sulphate’ ensures that it works efficiently for a very long period. Regardless of your motorcycle type, you should consider investing in the Battery Tender Lithium Iron Phosphate battery because it is powerful, durable and non hazmat.
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2.Yuasa YTZ14S Motorcycle Battery
Currently, Yuasa is the largest manufacturer and distributer of batteries for snowmobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and scooters in America. This battery may be used in various motorcycle makes and models and offers tremendously high starting power. If you would like to replace your current motorcycle with one that is more powerful and requires minimal maintenance, you should consider buying this Yuasa High Performance battery. By using more plates and a radial grid design in this battery, the manufacturer has been able to more cranking amps—about 30 percent more than what conventional batteries can offer.
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3. Battery Tender BTL35A480C Motorcycle Battery
When looking for a motorcycle replacement battery that is packed with high power and is highly reliable, you should consider buying the new Lithium Iron Phosphate technology Tender BTL35A480C battery. Not only is this battery produced by one of the reputable motorcycle battery manufacturers, but also offers an array of functionality and convenience features. The 480 cold cranking amps capability of this battery is one of the best in the market today and can start virtually any motorcycle, regardless of the weather condition. If you are updating from a conventional lead-acid option, this LiFePO4 battery is one of my recommendations. The compact unit features reduced energy consumption and extended lifespan. Additionally, the battery does not sulphate—making it very safe to use and store for long periods. Other features that impressed me in this battery are:
Lightweight–it is about 80percent lighter that traditional lead acid batteries
Controlled discharge rate—this battery offers a discharge depth of about 80 percent for more than 2000 deep cycles.
It comes with a 3-Year limited warranty
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4.Odyssey PC680-P Battery
For enhanced protection against shock, this battery uses a non-spill AGM design. This design also makes the battery more resistant to vibrations that can easily destroy it. While the Odyssey PC680-P Battery is relatively small in size and lightweight, it is a reliable and powerful battery. As such, it is ideal and very reliable for heavier electrical loads and extreme temperatures. As compared to conventional deep-cycle batteries, the PC680-P has a life cycle that is about 70 percent longer. We found the battery very convenient as it can recharge fully in less than 6 hours. This makes it the best performing sealed lead battery in the market—with regards to recharge efficiency. Additionally, the battery is strong enough to withstand mechanical vibrations as well as high-impact shocks. The battery is also designed to withstand extreme temperature and climatic conditions. Other features that make this battery a proffered replacement battery option include:
Extended service interval—the battery can serve you for three to 10 years.• Enhanced shelf life—the battery can remain fully charged, in an open circuit, for up to 12 months.
Flexibility—it features a non-spillage design, hence may be mounted in any position.
This is one of our most preferred premium-quality motorcycle replacement batteries. The HDX30L Harley Davidson Replacement Motorcycle Battery applies the Absorbed Glass Mat innovative technology, which allows for a flexible mounting position for the battery without any spillage taking place. As such, you can even mount the battery in an upside down position without experiencing any spillage. This feature, coupled with its resistance to vibration, makes the battery for use in extreme riding conditions. What we love most about this battery is the fact that its manufacturer backs it performance with an 18 months warranty. As such, you will get a free replacement from the manufacturer, if the battery malfunctions or falls short of your expectations within a period of 18 months after buying it.
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6.EBC CTX9BS 105CCA Motorcycle Battery
This is another long lasting battery that makes use of the AGM sealed battery innovative technology. The battery is precisely designed to enhance starting power. The acid used in this battery is absorbed by the fiberglass mats that are used in between its plate. As such, the EBC CTX9BS 105CCA is a spill-proof battery. Another aspect of the battery that I found appealing is its enhanced cycle service life. In this regard, evaporation of the electrolyte form the battery is lowered to the minimal level. This, in turn, improves a rather stable electrolyte level offered by the battery. The AGM technology used in this battery also improves its efficiency in charging and discharging.
The EBC CTX9BS 105CCA battery is also capable of supplying a high current without affecting the voltage across its terminals. Like the other exceptional motorcycle batteries we have reviewed in this list, this battery is also resistant to vibrations. However, the EBC CTX9BS 105CCA battery features a high-impact ABS polymer casing for enhanced protection against heat and impact as well. Such features make this battery very tough and ideal for use in extreme weather and riding conditions.
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7.Chrome Battery YTX9-BS High Performance Battery
Chrome Battery, the manufacturer of this battery, is a renowned American manufacturer—with regards to making top quality batteries. The YTX9-BS battery is one of the leading performance batteries by this manufacturer. The battery features the Chrome Pro iGel design by the manufacturer. In this regard, these motorcycle batteries have a gel electrolyte and feature a built-in intelligent chip as well as a digital display. Such features make the battery more practical and convenient to use. For instance, the digital display shows the voltage of the battery at any given time. The practicality and convenience of this product is enhanced by an alarm that will warn you of low voltage or any other abnormalities in the unit.
The battery is also maintenance-free and offer an array of appealing motorcycle battery features, such as:
No spills/leaks
Extended battery life span
Resistant to shock and vibrations
Enhanced life cycle performance
Heavy-duty terminals
I find the batteries produced by the by the Chrome Battery manufacturer, including the YTX9-BS, very durable and applicable to an array of riding conditions. I would also advise you to purchase this using as it offers a great value for your money.
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8.ExpertPower EXP1270 Lead Acid Battery
If you would like to replace your current motorcycle battery with a superior quality lead-acid battery, the Expert Power EXP1270 is one of the best options you should consider. Featuring a rugged construction, this battery is designed to withstand shock, extreme temperature and vibrations without getting damaged. The manufacturer has placed the acid electrolyte in between plates. This is a safety measure by the manufacturer in that it prevents spills from the battery. There are many features offered by this battery that make it one of the best sealed, lead-acid batteries today, including:
The Ballistic Performance EVO2 is one of the most powerful motorcycle batteries today, with a burst amp rating of 500CCA. While this is the case, the battery is compact in size and lightweight—weighing .5lbs. While testing this battery, we realized that it has a total of 16 cells. This feature comes in handy when you are in need of a maximum motorcycle starting capacity. I found this battery ideal for use on the relatively large motorcycles. Other features that make this battery a must buy option for many motorbike owners today include:
They are about 10 times lighter than conventional batteries
They offer about two times the service life offered by a lead acid battery
They are very flexible and may be mounted in any orientation.
They brass terminals in these batteries are hard mounted for easy installation.
Shopping for an appropriate battery for your motorcycle can be a daunting task. This may be attributed to the fact that there are numerous motorcycle manufacturers offering a wide range of batteries in the market today. When looking for a replacement battery, you need to go beyond the cost consideration. You may need to get a battery that is affordable, but your choice of a motorcycle replacement battery should be influenced by such aspects as power, performance, reliability, convenience, lifespan and safety. By researching and testing the various batteries in the market today, we were able to ascertain the best. As such, this list consists of only the best motorcycle batteries and manufacturers.