How much of a charge does your motorbike battery have? You don’t want to get stuck somewhere because of a dead battery. There are two really reliable and easy ways to find that out. Either you can use:

• 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.