Okay, so the other day, I noticed my motorcycle was having a bit of trouble starting. It sounded weak, like it was struggling. I figured the battery might be on its last legs, so I decided to do some digging and figure out how long these things are supposed to last anyway.
Figuring Out My Battery Situation
First, I grabbed my trusty multimeter. I’d used it before to test car batteries, so I was somewhat familiar with the process. I made sure the motorcycle was off, then I connected the red lead to the positive terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal.
- Initial Voltage Test: The reading was hovering around 12.4 volts. That seemed a little low, but I wasn’t entirely sure.
- Starting Test: I then tried to start the bike while watching the multimeter. The voltage dropped significantly, down to like 9 volts! That was a big red flag.
I did a quick search online, I found a bunch of forum posts and articles, it became pretty clear that most motorcycle batteries are supposed to last somewhere between 2 and 5 years. It really depends on how much you ride, the weather conditions, and how well you take care of it.
I remembered, my battery was actually closer to the 4-year mark. I live in a place with pretty harsh winters, and I don’t always keep it on a battery tender, which probably shortened its lifespan.
The Verdict & Next Steps
Based on the age, the weak starts, and those voltage readings, I decided it was definitely time for a new battery. No point in getting stranded somewhere, right?
So, I went down to the local motorcycle shop. The guy there confirmed my suspicions and helped me pick out a suitable replacement. I went with a similar type to the original, just a newer, fresher version.
Installed the new battery, it was pretty straightforward. Just disconnect the old one (negative terminal first!), put the new one in, and reconnect (positive terminal first!). Fired up the bike, and it started like a champ! Problem solved.
I will keep the new battery on a tender during the winter months, hopfully I can get a good, long life out of this one.
