According to experts, the motorcycle industry is expected to hit almost $11 billion by the year 2025. However, we know how expensive it is to buy a whole new bike when all you need is a replacement motorcycle battery.
Curious if you can handle doing a motorcycle battery replacement at home? Read our step-by-step guide to help you through the process!
Removing and Testing Your Battery
Ever wondered how to change your own motorcycle batteries?
You’re really not alone, especially since this is a huge part of any motorcycle owner’s existence. Nonetheless, you don’t have to be a car expert to get through the battery removal and installation process.
For starters, knowing exactly when your motorcycle battery needs to be replaced is the first step. Some telltale signs that you need to replace your motorcycle battery include:
- When it has a hard time getting started
- When your engine won’t crank
- When it reaches anywhere between three and five years old
Why should you replace your motorcycle battery periodically?
The answer is simple – this preventive measure will help you avoid getting stranded on the side of the road someday.
Now that we’ve got that covered, it’s time to remove your motorcycle battery. In case you didn’t know, this is usually located right underneath the driver seat. However, some motorcycles need a key to unlock the pieces beneath the bike seat.
Pro tip: it doesn’t hurt to remove a side panel to reach the battery if necessary. Of course, this depends on where exactly your motorcycle battery is located.
Obviously, your ignition switch should be placed into the “off position” before you get started as well. Next, take off the straps to keep the battery into position and gently pull it out to reach the battery cables.
Not sure which battery terminal to connect first?
Using a wrench, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal. After that, remove the battery cable from the positive terminal. Now, pulling the battery out in its entirety should be a breeze.
For good measure, you can take your motorcycle to a special shop to have it tested and charged. Then, they’ll tell you how healthy your motorcycle battery really is!
Replacing and Installing Your Battery
Here comes the fun part: replacing your old battery and installing your new battery. Now that you’ve taken out your expired battery, take a look at your “cable connectors.” Keep a wire brush on deck to wipe off any signs of corrosion on them.
Why is this so important?
Because it’ll help you make sure that your brand-new motorcycle battery connects with the electrical system on your bike.
Before you find the right replacement battery for you, check your motorcycle’s instruction manual to see what kind of battery it needs. Also, there’s no harm in referring to your old battery for extra help either.
When you’re ready, purchase your new motorcycle battery from a source that you trust. Our general rule of thumb is this – the more affordable your battery replacement is, the better.
The next step is to install your new motorcycle battery. To do this, slide into the proper place. Then, connect into the correct terminals. But here’s the thing: You got to start by installing the positive terminal first, then the negative terminal second.
Once you are done with this step, find the safety belts under your motorcycle seat and resecure them around the battery. Now, put your bike seat back in the place.
To make sure that your new battery lasts longer than the old one, there are a few things that you should know. First of all, try to avoid leaving a motorcycle in a storage unit for a long amount of time. Also, it’s a great idea to take your motorcycle out on the road for a drive every now and then.
Nonetheless, make sure that you take your motorcycle for a long-distance ride as well. Why is that? Simply put, your battery needs it to recharge itself!
Inspecting Your New Motorcycle Battery
Have you finished putting your motorcycle battery back together yet?
First of all, congratulations.
However, your job isn’t over yet. Next, grab your motorcycle keys and flip on the ignition. This will help you to make sure that your bike has power.
For example, if your motorcycle lights come on automatically, this is a really good sign. In that case, you’re more than welcome to turn off your motorcycle right away. Otherwise, you’ve got to do more research before you clock out of your home garage.
One way to troubleshoot your new battery is to double-check to see if the connections are tight and properly placed. Sometimes, beginner motorcycle junkies place their cables onto the wrong terminals. If this sounds like you, you’ve got to reverse them before your motorcycle can actually run.
As if that’s not enough, you may even have to perform a “fuse replacement” as well. This should be enough to spot any trouble that you have, showing you how to fix it instantly. Lastly, reinstall any parts that you took out during the inspection process.
Master Motorcycle Battery Replacement Today
Feeling clueless about how to switch out your motorcycle battery?
Fortunately for you, we’re here to help. Surprisingly, it only takes a few simple tweaks to take out your old battery and replace it with a brand-new one. With our handy guide, you can master motorcycle battery replacement today!
Want to learn more about motorcycle batteries? If so, don’t hesitate to check out more of our blog now!
