Motorcycle

Getting the right bike battery

Trust the reference printed in your owner's manual, because one footprint is often sold with posts in different places. Check the box size first, then which side carries the plus terminal, then amp-hours and cranking amps.

Four chemistries, four personalities

• Conventional: often shipped dry, filled before first use, typical of older machines.
• AGM: sealed, no maintenance, shrugs off vibration, the usual choice today.
• Gel: very forgiving of long lay-ups and deep discharge.
• Lithium: dramatically lighter, charged only on a lithium programme.

Quick answers

Winter storage, what works best?

A low-amp maintainer on the bike, or the battery removed, fully charged and kept somewhere frost-free. Small units suited to motorcycles are in Chargers.

Will a larger battery give me more?

Only if it physically fits, and most bikes leave almost no spare room. Match the original size first. Popular two-wheeler ranges come from Varta, Exide, Motobatt and Fulbat.