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Buying Guide: Motorcycle Batteries
- Consistent Power for Regular Rides: AGM lead acid batteries are for all sorts of ride styles, from daily commutes to long-distance touring.
- Performance for Racing and ADV Rides: Lithium motorcycle batteries offer lightweight power for high-performance bikes.
- Unique Sizes for Classic and Custom Bikes: Flooded lead acid batteries are available in a variety of sizes for those vintage and custom-built bikes.
What Type of Motorcycle Battery Do You Need?
AGM Lead Acid Motorcycle Battery
Absorbed Glass Mat or AGM batteries are completely sealed with a one-way pressure relief valve that prevents gasses from escaping. This makes them spill-proof and eliminates the need for watering maintenance, a major benefit for motorcycle riders. They're also more resistant to vibrations and extreme cold and heat.
AGM batteries have a greater upfront cost than flooded batteries but can end up costing less in the long run, due to their longer lifespans.
Flooded Lead Acid Motorcycle Battery
Flooded lead acid batteries are a reliable solution, start after start, but tend to have shorter lifespans than AGM or lithium batteries. These batteries lose water due to evaporation when they are recharged, so riders need to offset water loss by periodically adding distilled or deionized water. Otherwise, the plates can become corroded, shortening the battery's lifespan.
Despite the extra maintenance, flooded lead acid batteries are popular with riders who want reliable performance in classic bikes, and custom builds at an affordable price.
Lithium Motorcycle Battery
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are the lightest and energy-dense motorcycle batteries on the market. Due to their superior chemistry, our X2Power lithium batteries have roughly 4X longer lifespans than most batteries and charge up to 2X faster.
Pro Tip
Lithium batteries are not optimal for powering bikes that have been heavily modified from stock configurations or have extensive accessories. AGM should be considered for these applications.
Lithium motorbike batteries have very low self-discharge rates, which means they hold a charge for much longer in storage. They're also about 55% lighter than a lead acid battery, which is ideal for maintaining balance in lightweight bikes.
In terms of price, lithium batteries do cost more upfront than other motorcycle batteries, however, they last longer, so riders typically end up saving money in the long run.
Best Battery by Bike
| Bike Style | Flooded | AGM | Lithium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Bikes | Deep Cycle AGM or Lithium Recommended for Refrigerator | Dual Purpose Recommended for Refrigerator | Starting Not Recommended for Refrigerator |
| Cruisers | Deep Cycle AGM or Lithium Recommended for Microwave | Dual Purpose Recommended for Microwave | Starting Not Recommended for Microwave |
| Commuters | Deep Cycle AGM or Lithium Recommended for Electric Stove | Dual Purpose Recommended for Electric Stove | Starting Not Recommended for Electric Stove |
| Touring Bikes | Deep Cycle AGM or Lithium Not Recommended for Engine | Dual Purpose Recommended for Engine | Starting Recommended for Engine |
| Sportbikes | Deep Cycle AGM or Lithium Not Recommended for RV Lights | Dual Purpose Recommended for RV Lights | Starting Recommended for RV Lights |
| Off-Road/ADV Bikes | Deep Cycle AGM or Lithium Not Recommended for Communication Radio | Dual Purpose Recommended for Communication Radio | Starting Recommended for Communication Radio |
How to Choose the Right Motorcycle Battery
The exact type of battery you pick for your bike needs to meet or beat the original equipment specifications of your current battery:
- Cold Cranking Amps: The rating that determines a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures.
- Reserve Capacity: How long a new fully charged battery can hold its charge.
- Amp Hour: A measure of how long a battery can provide an amperage for one hour.
- Voltage: The majority of motorcycles operate with 12 volt batteries, though some require 6 volt batteries instead.
This information should be on your current battery's label or mentioned in your bike's manual. If you don't have those available, stop by your local Batteries Plus to get expert advice on finding the right battery for your motorcycle. You also need the size and terminal placement to match.
Top 4 Motorbike Batteries
Duracell Ultra AGM
- 24 Month Warranty
- AGM Technology
- Maintenance Free
- Vibration Resistant
- Factory Activated
Xtreme AGM
- 12 Month Warranty
- AGM Technology
- Maintenance Free
- Vibration Resistant
- Store Activated
X2Power Lithium
- 36 Month Warranty
- Lithium Technology
- Maintenance Free
- Vibration Resistant
- Holds a Charge in Storage
Xtreme Flooded
- 6 Month Warranty
- Basic Flooded
- Low Maintenance
5 Tips for Motorcycle Battery Maintenance
No matter what type of battery you choose for your motorcycle, it won't work properly if it isn't maintained properly, especially during the off-season. Follow these tips to get the longest life possible out of your bike’s battery.
Keep it charged - Use a battery charger to maintain your motorcycle battery during the off-season or other long periods of inactivity.
- Note: Lithium batteries have a long self-discharge rate and may require less charging maintenance during the off-season. Keep your lithium battery at around 50% when storing it for long periods of time.
Use the right charger - It's important that you select one that matches the voltage and chemistry of your motorcycle battery.
- Example: 12-volt AGM charger goes with a 12-volt AGM battery. Lithium battery maintenance should be performed with a lithium compatible charger.
Avoid overcharging - Overcharging your motorcycle battery can shorten its life. Prevent this by using a battery maintainer or a charger with an automatic shut-off.
Keep terminals free of corrosion - Clean off corrosion on the battery terminal using a battery terminal brush and a mixture of baking soda and water. Protect the terminals with an anti-corrosion spray.
Flooded Only: Water your battery - If you have a flooded battery, periodically check and top off the electrolyte inside with distilled or deionized water.
- Note: Do not attempt to do this with an AGM or lithium battery. Only flooded batteries need to be topped off.
Frequently Asked Questions
When selecting a replacement battery, there are 4 important things to pay attention to: size, voltage, CCA, and chemistry.
- Size - Your replacement battery has to match the proper physical dimensions in order to fit your bike. Your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website will tell you the proper Battery Council International (BCI) Group or Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) size for your model bike.
- Voltage - Most motorcycles will run on 12-volt batteries, however, a select few will take a 6-volt battery. Be sure that the battery you choose matches the voltage requirements of your motorcycle.
- CCA - Cold cranking amps tell you how well your battery will perform in cold weather; motorcycle manufacturers provide CCA requirements for each model they produce.
- Chemistry - The pros and cons of the different motorcycle battery chemistries can be found above in the section entitled "What Type of Motorcycle Battery Do I Need?" Not all bikes are compatible with lithium batteries, so be sure to check your motorcycle's battery requirements. If your battery requires an AGM battery, you cannot downgrade to a flooded battery.
The amp-hour (Ah) of your battery references your battery's capacity. This tells you how long your battery will last under normal conditions. Typically, the higher the capacity the longer it'll last before a recharge. Please reference the rated capacity of your motorcycle battery after ensuring the right size and voltage.
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) determines a battery's ability to start an engine in cold weather. Motorcycle manufacturers provide battery recommended CCA ratings for each model they produce.
You can find this information on the manufacturer's website. If you live in an area prone to especially cold weather, it's okay to purchase a battery with a higher CCA rating than the one recommended by the manufacturer.
Some motorcycles can work with any battery type, as long as the voltage, CCA, and physical size meet the manufacturer's requirements. The most common upgrades are going from flooded to AGM or AGM to lithium. Older bikes are not always compatible with lithium upgrades, so always check your motorcycle's battery requirements first.
Downgrading is not possible. If your battery requires lithium, you cannot swap in an AGM. And if your bike uses an AGM battery, you cannot change it to a flooded battery.
The cost of a motorbike battery depends on the chemistry, capacity, and CCA. The average price range is from $40 to $240, though high-performing batteries can cost more.