A motorcycle battery, just like any other vehicle’s battery, is likely to die if it is not well taken care of.
Did you know that if you do not go for a ride frequently on your motorcycle and the battery is left unattended, it can lose its power, and you will be dealing with a dead battery most of the time?
Well, this happens to many people, but there is nothing to worry about, though, because you can easily get it charged, and it will start running again.
But the real question is, how long does it take to charge a motorcycle battery? To your knowledge, a motorcycle battery can usually take around 6 to 24 hours to charge. However, it depends on various factors such as the kind of battery and charger you use, battery parameters, age and conditions of the battery, and so much more.
If you want your motorcycle battery to live longer and understand more about it, be sure you read this article all the way through and don’t skip over the commonly asked questions part.
How Long To Charge Your Motorcycle Battery
As I have mentioned earlier, it can typically take the battery to charge between 6 to 24 hours.
However, keep in mind that this implies that the motorcycle battery has 12 volts. Though certain factors can also influence how much time it takes.
- If your battery is too old, it can probably take longer.
- Moreover, for different brands, the charge time will also be different, as some might only take 4-24 hours while others 6-24 hours and so on.
- To add on, this goes the same for the battery charger as well.
- Other than that, the battery specifications, such as the capacity, conditions, and voltages, have a major impact on the charging time.
- Nonetheless, keep in mind that a lithium-ion battery is said to charge significantly quicker than an AGM battery.
- Plus, a lead-acid battery is known for charging at a moderate rate.
- On the other hand, a gel battery is known for charging much more slowly and takes longer to charge.
- It is worth mentioning that charging a battery with increased current charges it sooner and requires less time, but charging at lower amperage can take longer.
Now, this also implies on the charger as well because the battery will most probably take extremely long to charge with a trickle charger.
Afloat as well as a smart charger, on the other hand, will charge a battery significantly faster and in far less time.
How Long Can You Leave The Motorcycle Unattended Before Battery Dies?
When it comes to determining how long you can keep your motorcycle parked before the battery dies, the answer varies, being sure of the battery’s age.
After sitting for two to four months, you need to know that the typical motorcycle battery dies.
However, on the other hand, a newer battery could last up to 5 months, whereas an aged battery might only last for a month or so.
As I have mentioned earlier, you must also look into other factors. So be sure to check the battery from every aspect before buying a new one for the advantage of your motorcycle.
Types Of Motorcycle Batteries
With the information about different types of batteries, you will be able to make an accurate decision when purchasing one.
It will also make the riding experience a lot better, so with that being said, here are some types you must know about:
1. Lead Acid Batteries
Starting with the lead-acid motorcycle batteries, it is said that batteries of this sort are the most frequently used in the market.
Each cell is made up of guide plates that are restored with a combination of sulfuric acid and water. An electrical charge is generated by the chemical response between them.
Besides that, you must know that when you purchase a brand new lead-acid battery, you must replenish every cell with the acid that comes with the kit. Don’t be alarmed; it’s not quite as difficult as it appears.
After that, you’ll attach the trickle charger to the battery and leave it to charge for roughly 24 hours. You’re ready to ride after installing it into your bike.
Make sure to provide it with regular maintenance, though, because it is highly likely to get ruined without it.
2. Gel Cell/AGM Batteries
First of all, gel cell and AGM motorcycle batteries are a category of sealed lead-acid. When you purchase one brand new, it will already have an 80 percent charge.
These are, by remote, the most straightforward batteries to obtain. Except for maintaining them linked to the tender when the bike is placed, they require no other supervision.
You don’t have to put them straight in since they are sealed, which gives you additional alternatives for bike positioning.
Nonetheless, before installing a brand new battery on the bike, make sure it’s fully charged by connecting it to a float charger for approximately 4 to 6 hours.
3. Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-Ion motorcycle batteries are a more recent innovation. It’s exceedingly light-weighted. It only weighs about a third of a load of a lead-acid battery and expects very limited upkeep.
When appropriately conserved, they are inclined to live longer than other motorcycle batteries, although this does not certainly imply that their capacity is greater.
Other than that, Lithium-Ion batteries are recognized for providing significantly greater energy for turning on your bike from a cold start, bringing about an ideal for bigger and heavier bikes, or for turning on your motorcycle in cold weather.
When Is The Best Time To Replace Your Motorcycle Battery?
When it comes to changing your battery, you must know that keeping a regular battery check is excellent. When you are changing the oil from your motorcycle, make sure to check the battery charge.
It is important for you to always examine your batteries for any type of leaks, bulging terminals, rusted connectors, and terminals.
Making sure the voltage is accurate is also really important. You can check by connecting the positive and negative terminals to a multimeter and setting the meter to volts.
The voltage on your meter should be around 12.7 volts up to 13.2 volts. This will indicate that the battery is completely charged. However, it should only be replaced if it examines 12 volts or less.
How To Charge A Motorcycle Battery
Before you charge your motorcycle, you must first remove the battery from the motorcycle.
You eliminate the possibility of your motorcycle’s prevailing damage because you want to protect yourself and your motorcycle if there is a chance of a fuse in the battery blowing.
To your knowledge, if you use a smart charger, it will only take roughly two up to 3 hours to charge a battery that has been drained but is in an oppositely a sufficient condition.
Throughout the charging process, make sure to keep an eye on the battery’s voltage to ensure that it is charging properly.
Besides that, if you are using any old charger, then it can take you around 4 to 6 hours or even 24 hours max for charging the battery.
In addition to that, no matter how long it might take to charge the battery, always be sure to keep it at low amperage. This is because charging at high amperage can hurt the health of the motorcycle battery.
How To Check If Your Motorcycle Battery Is Dead
You must know that batteries do not last indefinitely. Even the highest quality battery has a limited lifespan.
This is due to the fact that batteries are simply chemical containers, and it is stated that chemicals lose their power with time.
This is why they would require extra care so they can last for a long time and let the motorcycle function smoothly.
Some people might not even know the things they do can harm the life of the battery, which causes it to wear out quickly.
Here I will be telling you the symptoms of a dying battery, so make sure to read all the way through.
1. Dead Or Bad battery
You must know the difference between both first. When it comes to a dead battery, you must know that it can be revived again by a jump start.
However, it is not the same for a bad battery. This is because a bad battery does not have the capabilities to hold any charge. This means that you will have to replace the battery right away.
2. A Battery-Less Than Three Years Old
Some batteries that are less than three years old have never been left uncharged and are not showing any signs of issues then they’re likely to have some issues with the wiring. You must check the terminal connectors.
They are likely to corrode or snap loose, which can cause the battery to run out of power. Other than that, you can also check the alternators or other various components to be sure.
3. Visible Examination
If you are someone who rides a motorcycle regularly, then you must inspect the motorcycle every time before and after riding. This will help you determine the problem right away.
If you notice broken terminals, cracking or bulging occurring in the plastic castings, fluid leakage as well as discoloration, then your battery is likely to die.
Make sure to always clean the terminals with a clean, dry cloth as corrosion is likely to build up and damage the parts.
4. Use A Battery Tester
By using the battery testers, you will be able to see the health of your motorcycle battery.
It is highly recommended to use a high-quality tester which is mainly developed for power sports batteries, so they can provide you with accurate results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Long Does It Take To Charge A 12-Volt Motorcycle Battery?
If you want to charge the motorcycle battery that has 12 volts, then best prepare yourself to wait for about 4 to 24 hours as it will require this much time for it to be completely charged.
Q2. Can I Charge A Completely Dead Motorcycle Battery?
Well, the answer is yes and no. Some smart chargers might be able to revive the dead battery, while in some cases, it won’t.
This is because it would require electrical feedback. You can revive the dead battery by dropping the electrolyte solution and restoring it with Epsom salt.
Q3. How Do I Know When My Motorcycle Battery Is Fully Charged?
You can use a multimeter to check if the motorcycle battery is fully charged or not. If your motorcycle battery is fully charged, you will get a reading between 12.7 and 13.2 volts.
Q4. Does The Motorcycle Battery Charge While Idling?
Well, the motorcycle battery surely charges when it is idling. However, it will not be able to get as much amperage as you expect, especially when it is at higher speeds.
It is said that while idling, you will only be getting 1 amp, whereas, on a normal ride, it will be between 13-15 amps.
Q5. How Often Should I Charge My Motorcycle Battery?
It is suggested that you should charge the motorcycle battery every 30 days, especially if you use a lead-acid battery. However, with a smart charger, you might be able to maintain the battery for a longer time.
Conclusion
To conclude, I hope you got the answer you were searching for related to the question of how long does it take to charge a motorcycle battery.
Well, in short, it only takes a couple of hours for it to charge only if your battery is in good condition and you are charging it with the help of smart or float chargers.
Besides that, I have also made sure to include all the information that would help you in the process of charging the motorcycle battery, whether it is a new or an old one, so you do not get confused.
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