Bike owners rely on their machines to get through their days. To have your bike ready to run at any time, you’ll need to maintain its electrical system in order to avert breakdowns and worse operating problems.
When it comes to starting the up and keeping all accessories supplied with electrical power, only the best motorcycle batteries can supply you with peace of mind out there. Installing a new and fresh battery can make your riding life a lot easier in many cases.
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Quick Comparison: Top Motorcycle Batteries
Operating factors such as battery cell technology, capacity, and construction quality do influence your overall riding experience. To help sort out these technical concerns, we’ve brought out these motorcycle battery reviews of a small range of models that do well in these qualities.
Model | Image | Type | CCA | Ah | Weight | Quality | Price | My Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGM lead | 310 | 17.5 | 15.5 lbs | A | $ | |||
AGM lead | 190 | 8.6 | 7 lbs | A+ | $$ | |||
AGM lead | 400 | 26 | 23 lbs | A+ | $$ | |||
AGM lead | 365 | 26 | 23 lbs | A | $$ | |||
AGM lead | 230 | 11.2 | 8.6 lbs | A+ | $$ |
Below, you'll find my more detailed reviews about the motorcycle batteries, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Reviews Of The Best Motorcycle Batteries
Here are 5 well-rated batteries and details on their strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
Sealed AGM arrives ready to install
310 CCA
Recharges faster than most
Made in USA quality
Cons
No conversion kit
This lightweight 17.5 Ah model comes from a well-known US manufacturer and is an affordable alternative to many OEM parts. The 310 CCA rating and quality build and features make this a good choice for larger sports bikes, ATVs, and other power rides.
The robust molded terminals are designed for more reliable and flexible connections, and the case made to endure harsh temperatures and shock/vibrations. This model also recharges faster than most rival models, as it’s designed to perform as well if not better than the original OEM batteries it replaces.
The ability to crank powerfully and supply more power for lighting and powered accessories makes it a natural choice for bigger bikes like Harley-Davidsons. This battery pack offers a good fit and capacity for certain Street or Electra Glide models. In fact, the battery manufacturer supplies many of the OEM battery packs that come with new Harleys.
Deka’s Sports Power ETX-20L is a quality lightweight battery with a good CCA rating that’s a relatively inexpensive choice for sports and smaller touring bikes.
Pros
Sealed AGM arrives ready to install
Lead-calcium formulation maintains longer
Directly replaces many OEM batteries
Cons
More expensive than comparable models
This small 8.6 Ah battery pack from Yuasa has a good 190 CCA rating. You’ll be cranking faster than equivalent models, which should benefit your bike’s starter over time.
It’s a reasonable replacement for many small OEM packs of this form and capacity rating. It’s also one of the most dependable designs available.
With its innovative lead-calcium formulation, it can be fully charged in shorter length of time than similar conventional AGM batteries. It can maintain its formulation’s specific gravity and therefore its charge for longer than most comparable sealed batteries, for greater endurance.
This is one of the most capacious models given its lightweight medium size, and will be an appropriate choice for a wide range of smaller bikes. Yuasa sealed batteries are selected as OEM packs for major motorcycle brands and for good reason.
This battery would be suitable for most lighter sports bikes due to its great performance. The model is designed for a variety of motorcycles and is marketed an OEM replacement for a number of them, with no need for further alteration or adapter kits.
Yuasa’s YTZ10S is a durable small AGM battery with great CCA capacity and high endurance for its class. It’s one of the best all-around packs for lighter bikes.
Pros
Sealed AGM arrives ready for installation
400 CCA
Threaded terminal pairs with stainless steel bolts
Made in USA quality
Cons
No conversion adapters
This big 26 Ah battery pack features a robust cover and can supply cranking amps that probably exceed your original OEM unit’s specifications.
The battery arrives fully charged and will be ready for immediate use once it’s installed. With its high 400 CCA rating, it should be able to replace many original OEM batteries of the larger sports and touring bikes.
In particular, with its regular dimensions it can directly replace many original Harley OEM batteries. Since it’s made by the same OEM, compatibility with various touring models and smaller bikes is assured along with its quality construction.
ThrottleX’s HDX30L with its heavy-duty USA build, quality, performance is a reasonably affordable and powerful option for the largest sports and touring bikes.
Pros
Sealed AGM arrives ready to install
Conversion kit supplied
Made in USA quality
Cons
Expires faster when left unused in harsh cold
This is a big but inexpensive 26Ah AGM battery pack with a high 365 CCA rating. It is built in the USA with molded terminals at the tops and sides to adapt to various mounting configuration.
The pack can fit a good range of bike models in either mounting situation, with supplied spacers providing options for modifying its fit. Like similar AGM models, it arrives already activated and ready for installation.
Certain owners have posted that the design does not endure long and cold winters very well, even when smart battery tenders are continually used. But if you’re riding around in warmer climes, this is a reliable choice for large sports bikes, especially touring models.
With its good CCA rating and affordable pricing, Big Crank’s big ETX30L is our best-value pick for big sports and touring bikes in moderate climes.
Pros
Sealed AGM arrives ready to install
230 CCA
Lead-calcium formulation retains its qualities longer
Replaces many OEM models
Cons
Pricier than other maintenance-free models
This 11.2 Ah model is a great example the larger-capacity AGM packs of its size, with its excellent 230 CCA rating. Yuasas are often selected as the OEM supplier of motorcycle and power sports brands like Honda and Yamaha due to their quality.
The lead-calcium formulation of this small and lightweight design allows it to accept a full charge more rapidly than most standard lead-acid packs. Since it can hold its specific gravity much longer as well, it can also retain that charge over a longer period compared to its rivals.
It can get your bike to crank faster than most due to its ability to supply a relatively high starting amperage. In some cases, this can help maintain the starter for longer if properly maintained.
Yuasa’s battery series comprise some of the most dependable battery packs available. We think owners of smaller bikes which this model can fit will find it a good choice due to its excellent performance.
Yuasa’s YTZ14S with its good CCA capacity is a durable AGM pack that’s one of the best in its class, and is our pick for best battery series overall for light sports bikes.
Your Guide to Battery Stuff
It helps to figure out the various types of battery designs and technologies, for a better understanding of how to keep bikes in good shape. Modern motorcycle batteries are sealed spill-proof units i.e. ’maintenance-free’, never requiring any additional refilling with water.
New battery types feature AGM designs that trap battery acid and absorb it in microfiber matting for better and longer-lasting performance. Although these units have no need for maintenance in comparison to earlier models, it’s still best to keep them charging and topped-up at all times.
Almost all models arrive from the factory in activated condition, wherein they are fully charged and good for installation.
TYPES
Lead-acid batteries assembled from sealed packages of wet cells used to comprise the majority of those sold for installation in bikes. These are packs of 2.1-Volt cells linked within a common container, together supplying a nominal 12 Volts of DC current capacity-rated in Amp-Hours (Ah).
Older lead-acid packs that contained flooded wet-cell batteries are typically termed Conventional AGM. Newer AGM and Gel designs represent the newest battery lead-acid technologies, and these are in widespread use among gasoline-powered motorcycles and scooters.
The two types of sealed lead-acid packs, also referred to as Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) batteries, are the Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) and Gel designs. Both of these are sealed, spill-proof designs that eliminate the need for electrolytic refills, thus averting corrosive effects on their positive terminals.
DESIGN
Advanced absorbent glass mat or AGM designs differ in design from older flooded wet-cell designs. Their electrolytic fluids are actually distributed in microfiber layers of matting instead of freely flowing via internal plating.
Construction is rather different, with minute glass microfibers trapping electrolyte in ultrafine mats installed between internal plates. Since the microfibers are closely packed, the entire set is more resistant to damaging shocks and vibrations that course through the frame.
Sealed AGM types are better at enduring shock and vibration effects due to sturdy internal designs. Since these matted layers do not saturate completely with electrolytes, the fluids do not expand to the point of damaging the plates in severe cold.
How much riding you do will determine how your pack’s useful life, as batteries retain beneficial full charges best when they’re constantly in use. Those that stay idle for long intervals between the occasional ride or top-up will develop excessive sulfation.
Such deposits will not break down much during regular recharging, which leaves the cells in a failure-prone state that slowly reduces general power capacity. Fully depleted cells will normally suffer permanent damage, after which they will fail to retain their full rated capacity.
Here’s a video briefer on sealed AGM battery-cell technology:
PERFORMANCE
You had best keep riding often to keep your battery continually charged by the motorcycle’s electricals, so that it will hardly ever deplete completely. If you tend to forgo riding during colder weather, your bike’s pack will slowly lose its full charging capacity over time.
You’re probably wondering about cold cranking amp (CCA) ratings, which correspond to the battery’s performance in meeting the highest current draw required by the starter. A higher CCA means the battery performs better at start up, defined as the amperage that it can supply at 0°F temperature for 30 seconds.
Your unit’s capacity is best maintained by ensuring it never drains totally, which is accomplished by using battery tenders that keep the battery continuously charging. These can be especially convenient if you’re not always around to take your bike on frequent rides during winter.
Amp up Your Riding
As technology always evolves, optimal battery packs are a necessity for every new bike, and fresh new packs can smoothen your riding life. Manufacturers claim that batteries will normally last at least two years in regular use.
But the fact is that unfortunate breakdowns typically result from poor maintenance or non-operation during extended periods of extreme cold. So look for well-rated models designed to endure such conditions.
Yuasa’s YTZ series of battery packs are regarded as having the best quality, maintenance-free models. With its high CCA capacity-to-weight ratios and USA build qualities, the Yuasa YTZ14S is the best all-around battery for sports bikes that can accommodate it.
For heavier motorcycles, you’ll need to crank it up a bit with a big and capacious battery pack, and the ThrottleX HDX30L is it. With its heavy build and hardware and great 400 CCA performance, it’s our best battery pick for large touring bikes like the big Harleys.
Whatever you choose, make sure to get a pack of the correct size and configuration with the most Ah and CCA capacity you can afford. Hopefully, these reviews of some of the best motorcycle batteries will get you cranking more than cranked!
Model | Image | Type | Ah | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
AGM lead | 17.5 | 15.5 lbs | ||
AGM lead | 8.6 | 7 lbs | ||
AGM lead | 26 | 23 lbs | ||
AGM lead | 26 | 23 lbs | ||
AGM lead | 11.2 | 8.6 lbs |
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