Motorcycle battery guide
Guides to choosing, testing, charging and checking your motorcycle battery, plus a page for each part number: YTX, YTZ, YB and 12N.
Everything you need to know about choosing, testing, charging and checking your battery.
Buying guide · The basics · 16 min read
To get it right, you need four details: the battery part number, dimensions, which side the positive terminal is on, and cold cranking amps and capacity that match or exceed the original. Here’s how to find each one, which battery type suits your motorcycle, and how to look after it so it lasts.
Practical guide · Diagnosis · 5 min read
The motorcycle won’t start and the battery is the prime suspect. Before replacing it, five minutes with a multimeter will tell you whether it’s dead, simply discharged or whether the charging system is at fault.
Practical guide · Dimensions · 4 min read
If the label has worn off or you want to check that a replacement will fit, five minutes with a tape measure will tell you everything: the three dimensions, the positive terminal position and the terminal type.
Practical guide · Charging and winter storage · 6 min read
Motorcycle batteries rarely die of old age: they die because they are left discharged. Here’s how to charge yours properly, how often to do it and what to do to get it through the winter without losing capacity.
Buying guide · Technologies · 6 min read
Four technologies that fit in the same space on your motorcycle but behave very differently in everyday use. Find out what really sets conventional, AGM, gel and lithium batteries apart, and why AGM is the right choice for almost every bike.
Dimensions, polarity, name and replacement for each battery part number.
