[adri]

Full disclosure: One of my motorcycle batteries is eight years old and going strong, but the one in my V-Rod is only 6, for now

Anyway, I made a video on the 7 things that determine a motorcycle battery's lifespan, and how to maximize that longevity. 4 of these impactors of battery life are totally within your control, the other 3, not so much, but they're good to know before spending any money on a new battery (especially given the V-Rod's battery is a bit more of a PITA to get at than most other bikes).

I talk about why the first filling/setup/charging of a new battery is actually really critical for the battery's performance and longevity, how your motorcycle riding type impacts your battery's longevity, and the importance of proper battery maintenance and storage.

And then there are the things outside of our control:

I explain how battery capacity, type, and manufacturer choice all make a difference. I'll also explain why I recommend high-quality brands like Yuasa and Antigravity, and caution people against buying from fly-by-night Amazon and eBay brands with no website/office/contact/support.

Basically, I work offline in the motorcycle biz, and created a pretty comprehensive guide to maximizing your motorcycle battery's lifespan, because it's probably the #1 cause of people needing to spend money unnecessarily on bikes for towing and service. Hopefully this can help some people save some money and not get stuck somewhere.

If I missed anything or got anything wrong, please let me know and I'll pin a comment under the video to help other riders!

 

[frogman_h2o]

Many factors contribute to the life span of a battery. The fact that the battery in the Vrod is lying on it's side isn't ideal with the vibration it sees. Batteries have a memory so keeping them near full charge is a plus. Keeping your battery clean helps in many ways, especially discharging while not in use. I used to show the younger mechanics why batteries should be cleaned regularly, by using a volt meter connected to a post of the battery and touching the top surface of the battery and watching the current flow. Batteries are like anything else you buy, you get what you pay for.

 

[streetrodracer]

Adri - the other items to add on for battery life extension are -

1) Don't use a vented Lead Acid battery in a M/C unless you're just flat outta money. Certainly not in a V Rod, EVER.
2) Disconnect the battery when the M/C is in longer term storage or top charge before battery voltage gets low.
3) Remove the battery from the M/C in extreme cold or hot garage storage conditions, take it in the better environment of the house in A/C or Heat & charge once every couple weeks inside. No need for a constant battery tender.
4) Pull the system fuse ( if easily removed ) when the M/C is in short term storage to prevent parasitic drain.
5) If you have a Lithium battery and the M/C is in regular daily service there's no real problem, unless you have a large constant parasitic drain, or the M/C sits for a week or more. In that case have your pigtail to the battery in a convenient place to plug in for 5 minutes while you get ready to ride and check tire pressures, etc. and top charge the battery. This will greatly extend the battery life, and give you a topped off battery at the beginning of every ride.

 

[adri]

THanks, I posted it to the video!