Harley-Davidson Big Twin Motorcycle Batteries

Different Kinds of Motorbike Battery Review & Buying Guide

The development of motorcycle batteries has really advanced in recent years. Back in-the-day a conventional motorcycle battery with an acid pack was the standard. You would open the top caps, pour in your acid pack, and throw it on a charger for 24 hours. This was the typical process for a lead acid classic motorcycle battery. 

There are a variety of types of motorcycle batteries for you to choose from these days. AGM maintenance free batteries, Gel AGM batteries, and Lithium motorcycle batteries are all on the market. 

AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) maintenance free batteries

AGM sealed batteries are lead acid batteries that come fully charged and are in sealed cases. This type of lead acid motorcycle battery is a good choice for budget minded consumers who live in colder climates and are mounting the battery vertically. This is the most common battery sold today. 

Gel Cell Batteries 

Gel batteries are very similar to AGM batteries but instead of using a liquid acid, they use a gel version of the acid. This is a good custom motorcycle battery because it allows the battery to be mounted sideways or even upside down. Just like the AGM battery, the gel battery is good for cold weather applications.

Lithium motorcycle battery

Finally, we have the lithium motorcycle battery. The lithium motorcycle battery has become very popular for a few reasons. Lithium batteries are very light, and they are usually much more powerful than your typical lead acid motorcycle battery. They have high CCA (cold cranking amps) and they can be mounted in any position. That makes these batteries extremely popular for high horsepower or custom applications.  The downside to lithium motorbike batteries is they are more expensive, they do not like cold weather, and when they go bad it happens quickly. In addition, there are a variety of custom battery box options available that make mounting (and even hiding) your battery an easy task.

Maintaining your Motorcycle Battery

Keeping your motorcycle battery in good condition is pretty simple. If you live in a cold climate, or have to store your motorcycle for long periods of time, it’s a good idea to keep your battery on a battery maintainer while the bike is being stored. If your bike is going to be stored for months, it is a good idea to take your battery out of the bike and keep it stored where the temperature stays above freezing. Be sure to put it on a motorcycle battery charger every so often to make sure it stays fully charged.