Motorcycle & Scooter Batteries

The best battery for your motorcycle, scooter or power sports application is dependent on a number of factors. Conventional flooded motorcycle batteries will give years of reliable service in motorcycles where this type of battery was fitted by the manufacturer. If you want a battery with more power and a longer life, an AGM battery is a sensible upgrade. For ultimate performance and weight saving, a lithium battery is worth considering.

You also need to consider how the equipment is used, and how often. R&J Batteries product team have hand picked brands and products which are made to the highest quality standards to ensure our customers get the best value for money. 

Not all 12V batteries will fit within a motorcycle to power it; and some would have a much larger capacity than required. 12V car batteries are much too heavy for motorcycle batteries and would not have the correct terminal assembly to connect to a bike. R&J Batteries recommend a dedicated motorbike battery - see the team for advice on which battery would best power your equipment.

Motorcycle batteries come in conventional flooded, AGM and Lithium technologies. Conventional models often have vent caps where you can check electrolyte levels and are normally a standard fitment for many motorcycles and power sports equipment. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries are an advanced, maintenance free technology which is designed for higher cranking power and outstanding vibration resistance. A lithium motorcycle battery is made from LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells and is lighter, produces more power and lasts 2-3 times longer than lead acid batteries.

There are several reasons that can cause a motorcycle battery to die but the main one is lack of use. Like a car battery, a lead acid motorcycle battery needs to be regularly charged to ensure a long service life - this is normally done by the alternator when the bike is being ridden. If you don’t use your motorbike or scooter regularly, the battery will discharge and begin to sulphate which will shorten the battery’s life.  If you don’t use your motorcycle, scooter or power sports equipment over the winter months, connecting it to a trickle charger can significantly extend the life of the battery. If your equipment is fitted with accessories like an alarm, you would definitely benefit from investing in a trickle charger to ensure the battery stays charged.

Jump starting a motorcycle is pretty straight forward as it is similar to a car.  If your bike has jump start points, they must be used.  If not, connect the negative jumper clamp to the engine case or part of the chassis, and the positive clamp to the positive terminal of the battery.  You may need to use smaller clamps as the clamps designed for jump starting a car can be too large to access the small terminals.

Most motorcycle batteries will last approximately 2-3 years. The exact life of a battery is hard to determine as it depends on factors like usage, storage, brand and technology. A battery that is properly cleaned, maintained and charged will last longer. A lithium motorbike battery can last up to 2-3 times longer than a conventional flooded or AGM lead acid battery.