• a hydrometer, which comes in floating ball and calibrated float types

or

• a voltmeter (or multimeter, which gives DC voltage readings).

Which is best – Hydrometer or Voltmeter?

If you’re choosing between the two types of hydrometers, go for the calibrated float type. This one gives you an exact specific gravity reading (that is, the density of the electrolyte compared to water); that is much more accurate than floating balls.

A voltmeter or multimeter can be used where a hydrometer can’t. Most sealed VRLA or low maintenance batteries have to be tested with a voltmeter. Motorcycle battery testing requires a voltmeter that can measure DC voltage.

Remember to always connect a voltmeter parallel to the circuit being tested, observing polarity. If you don’t do this the pointer will travel in the wrong direction. It’s also a good idea to regularly check a voltmeter against another one you know is accurate for reliable readings.

What is best for you is depending on your motorcycle battery. For batteries that are not factory-sealed use a hydrometer, for sealed motorcycle batteries us a voltmeter or multimeter.

The main difference is the conventional batteries need constant adding of water because the water evaporates. The maintenance free motorcycle battery is a sealed box and there is a lot of acid in the plate and the special separators area. Knowing the difference between the two types of batteries will help you make a better decision as to what type of motorcycle battery to use.

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Conventional batteries

This type of batteries has a flooded electrolyte and they are very accessible. These batteries have to be carefully and periodically maintained. The conventional batteries are less expensive than the other ones but that is because they need more attention afterwards.

You need to add water from time to time to prevent it from burning out. The water loss is normal because of the high temperature inside and the process of electrolysis and evaporation. This means you have to pour water to keep the electrolyte levels high. The conventional batteries also discharge more rapidly than the other ones.

Maintenance Free

These are much more expensive than the conventional batteries and they are made by the big brands because they require a lot of technology. These batteries do not need water and you do not have to add water to them from time to time. They are perfectly sealed and the acid is in there trapped. This means you will not have to worry about the level of the acid dropping.

Beside that, the electrolyte level in the maintenance free battery is designed to be above the plates much more than in the case of the conventional batteries. This is because the electrolyte liquid has to keep the plates covered at all times. It can not drop.

This type of battery gets you out of a lot of time spent on maintenance and it is much safer for those persons that do not have experience with the technology. Even if they are more expensive, in time, you will find out that they were worth buying.

The fact that you have no acid leaks or you do not have to add water from time to time is a big plus.

There are 2 types of motorcycle batteries: the ones with maintenance free and the conventional ones. The conventional batteries need constant adding of water because the water evaporates rapidly. This is why from time to time you will need to make sure the battery has enough liquid there. You do not want to add too much water either. The level has to be just right. The maintenance free type of battery is a sealed box and there is a lot of acid in the plate and the special separators area. Even if the temperature is very high, the battery always has electrolyte liquid to cover all the plates.

No matter what type of battery you have on your motorcycle, in order to keep them running all the time and not spend money on repairs, you need to do some maintenance once a month. Always try to keep the battery fully charged. If you see the lights are dimming, recharge the battery. Besides this, here are some steps that you need to take to pull it through:

1. make sure the top of the motorcycle batteries is clean, dry and also free of any dirt.

2. make sure to also clean the terminals in order to prevent the corrosion.

3. from time to time make sure the electrolyte level is secure. The conventional motorcycle batteries need to have the acid level right between the upper and lower lines that are placed on the container.

4. verify inside the motorcycle batteries for excessive sulfation, mossing and sediments.

5. do not let cables, clogs and other stuff get into the exhaust tube.

6. replace the caps

7. never let the battery just stay discharged somewhere in the garage. It can damage it.

8. try to charge the battery once a month.

9. if you do not use your motorcycle for a long period of time (meaning longer than a month), continue to recharge the battery from time to time.

Make sure you carry the right gear with you

There are people that ride their motorcycle when the sun is shinnying and it is very hot. In order to make your motorcycle go again (if something happens to the battery) you have to carry a cell phone, drinking water and also jumper cables. The first two items are for you so that you can call for help and maintain a good spirit.

Restarting your motorcycle

There are many ways to jump back to life a dead battery. Here are some tips about that. There are several ways to start a motorcycle with a dead battery. If you’re not familiar with them, you may want to print these tips out and keep them in a safe, dry place on the motorcycle along with your jumper cables.

Using another motorcycle

1. Put the two motorcycles close together to tie the jumper cables. Do not attach the cables while the battery of the good motorcycle is still running.
2. Put the RED clamp of the cable on the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
3. Put the BLACK clamp to the negative (-) terminal, also on the dead battery or to the frame of the motorcycle.
4. Connect the BLACK clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery, or the frame.
5. Put the RED clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
6. Then start the good motorcycle and wait a little.
7. After a few minutes, start the dead motorcycle.
8. Remove the RED cable that is on the good battery and then the RED from the bad motorcycle. Do the same with the BLACK cables.
9. Let the dead motorcycle with the battery running as long as you want.

Using a car

It is pretty much the same as you would with the other motorcycle, except the fact that you do not have, under no circumstances, to turn on the motor of the car because it could destroy the electrical system of the motorcycle.