When to Change the Motorcycle Battery vs When to Charge?

As a keen motorcyclist, you’ll almost certainly understand the benefits of keeping your bike’s battery in prime condition.  You’ll know that regular charging of your motorcycle’s battery will help you get the best performance from your motorcycle, for longer. 

So, what should you do when you notice your bike isn’t quite performing how it should? Perhaps your motorcycle isn’t firing up as easily as before, or maybe your lights seem dimmer? 

Does your motorbike need a new battery? 

Thankfully, in most cases, it doesn’t. Often, a simple recharge is all it takes to get back on the road. But how can you tell the difference between a battery that needs charging and one that needs replacing?   Here at CTEK, we’ve developed some handy information to help you make the right choice between charging or changing your battery. 

When to Charge Your Motorcycle Battery 

A healthy battery should read around 12.6 volts when fully charged, so if it’s reading below this, it’s a good idea to charge it.  A drop in voltage might be due to extended periods of inactivity, particularly cold weather, or accessories that drain the power.  If the voltage falls to around 12.0 volts or below, it may not have enough power to start the bike. 

Some signs that mean your motorcycle battery might need charging include:  

• Difficulty starting the engine 
• Headlights or dashboard lights that seem dimmer or fainter than usual, 
• Electrical issues, for example indicator lights or even the horn not working properly. 

CTEK offers a range of chargers that are ideal for motorcyclists, helping to ensure a smooth ride. All CTEK chargers provide intelligent solutions to maintain the health of your battery for as long as possible.   

For example, the CT5 POWERSPORT is designed specifically to charge and maintain powersport batteries. It’s compatible with all types of 12V powersport batteries and provides three fully automatic charging and maintenance programs – one for lead-acid (including AGM), one for lithium-ion and one for battery reconditioning. Find out more about the CT5 POWERSPORT.  

 Alternatively, you might prefer a multi-use charger that can work for your motorcycle and your car. If so, the CTEK MXS 3.8 might be the charger for you.  This 7-step battery charger is suitable for lead-acid batteries from 1.2Ah-85Ah. It includes a battery diagnostic feature to check whether your battery can receive and retain a charge and selectable programs – one for charging smaller batteries you would find in, for example, a motorcycle, and one for standard sized car batteries. Learn more about the MXS 3.8.  

 Our extensive range of chargers can be viewed and compared on our handy Product Finder at a regional ctek.com site which will help you find the right charging solution for your motor vehicle.   

Needless to say, all our battery chargers come packed with innovative technology, first class safety features that prevent overcharging, plus easy to understand displays and full guarantees, providing you with peace of mind, whichever charger is right for you. 

 So, when might you need to change your motorcycle battery? 

Of course, charging can only offer a temporary fix if the battery really is nearing the end of its lifespan. On average, motorcycle batteries tend last between 3 to 5 years, but they can deteriorate faster, particularly under challenging conditions, such as high temperatures or poor maintenance. 

Here are a few indications that it might be time to change your battery, no matter how proficient your charger is: 

• Failing to hold charge: If the battery needs frequent charging and quickly loses charge even after a full recharge, it’s likely that it needs to be changed. 
• Physical damage: Swelling, leaking, or corrosion on terminals are definite signs that your battery needs replacing. 

If your battery is showing signs of fatigue, then even regular charging with a good quality charger might not help.  If a battery has reached the end of its time, it will struggle to hold the charge. Replacing it with a high-quality alternative is the best course of action.  And once you’ve got your new battery, be sure to give it the best maintenance possible by regularly charging it with a CTEK battery charger, helping to provide you with a smooth and enjoyable ride every time you head out.  And if you’re still unsure which charger is right for you, then head over to a regional website and review our Product Finder