Some batteries are maintenance free, hence, they do not require the any sort of special care or attention to keep them running in excellent condition. However, the conventional motorcycle batteries require regular maintenance to ensure that their functionality is not lost through the years.

When it comes to batteries, one thing is certain, they will definitely fail one day, how long it lasts will be dependent on how you treat it while it is still functioning. According to manufacturers, the average life expectancy of a motorcycle battery is between 2 to 5 years.

Nonetheless, if you do not take proper care of your battery, you may find yourself needing a replacement sooner than later.

There are different types of motorcycle batteries currently available on the market today. The main classification of motorcycle batteries is based on if they are sealed, unsealed and rechargeable. Batteries may also be categorized based on their size, shape and amperage ratings. In our site, we are going to focus on the main classification of sealed, unsealed and rechargeable batteries.

Unsealed Battery

Unsealed batteries are the type of batteries that require regular maintenance by recharging. They are known as the “old style lead acid batteries” and are not as common in newer bikes as the sealed and maintenance free types. The wet cell lead acid battery is a type of unsealed battery.

Wet Cell Lead Acid Battery

This battery sometimes referred to as the flooded lead-acid battery. It is one of the most used battery types in motorcycles. The distinguishing characteristic of wet lead acid batteries is that they need to be regularly topped off with distilled water to avoid damages to the motorcycle battery. The battery electrolytes is a mix of distilled water and sulphuric acid. Now, this electrolyte needs to be maintained at the appropriate concentration within the battery. However, when the battery is being charged, water is lost from the wet cells through evaporation.

Hence, to maintain the electrolyte concentration, and by extension, the health and longevity of the battery, wet cell batteries need to be topped off with distilled water occasionally. Apart from the need for regular maintenance, a major disadvantage to wet cell batteries is that the maintenance process can be hazardous owing to the presence of the caustic sulphuric acid which can cause burns if it comes in contact with skin and clothing. Thus, extreme caution is recommended when handling this type of batteries.

Sealed battery

Sealed motorcycle batteries come ready to use and do not require any sort of maintenance. Basically, when you purchase a sealed battery, you do not have to worry about recharging it or topping off the battery fluids. As these batteries are sealed, they are by function, non-spillable and do not need to be recharged. Hence, there is no point where moisture is lost to evaporation and as such, the electrolytes that keep the battery charged remain at the appropriate concentration and will not need refilling. Today, most new motorcycles make use of the sealed and maintenance free batteries. There are 2 main types of sealed battery namely; the gel cell battery and the AGM battery.

Gel cell battery

The gel cell battery is a type of sealed motorcycle battery and as the name implies, the battery is filled with silica like gel responsible for suspending the electrolytes in the cell. Because of their sealed functionality, unlike a wet lead acid battery, gel cell batteries do not need maintenance. Even if the battery breaks, there will be no spillage or leaking of electrolytes. Also, they are not prone to corrosion, thanks again to the sealed design.

AGM battery

The Absorbed Glass Mat battery, popularly abbreviated to AGM battery is a type of lead-acid motorcycle battery. This type of battery is so named because it comes with a mat which is designed to absorb the electrolytes in the battery cells, such that the solution does not slop around as it does in flooded cell batteries. AGM batteries are commonly used in motorcycles with gas engines and they are the latest battery technology. Like the gel cell batteries, AGM batteries come sealed and as such do not require any type of maintenance. Although their performance output is somewhat similar to that of gel cell batteries, AGM batteries are not as expensive as their sealed counterpart which would explain why they are more commonly used.