IS YOUR BATTERY DYING?
A weak battery rarely dies without warning. Your motorcycle will often give you a few clues first. Here's what to look for before you're left with a bike that won't start.
The Quick Diagnosis
START HERESLOW STARTING
The engine turns over more slowly than usual.
CLICKING
You press the starter and hear a click instead of the engine cranking.
DIM LIGHTS
Your headlights, dash or other electrical components seem weaker.
FLAT AGAIN
The battery keeps losing charge even after you've charged it.
START WITH THE SYMPTOM
Before replacing anything, pay attention to what your motorcycle is actually doing. The symptoms can give you useful clues.
IT STRUGGLES TO START
If the starter motor sounds slower than usual, a weak battery could be the reason.
IT JUST CLICKS
A clicking sound when you press the starter can happen when there isn't enough power to crank the engine.
IT STARTS SOMETIMES
An intermittent starting problem can be an early warning that something in the electrical system needs checking.
EVERYTHING FEELS WEAK
Dim lights, unusual dash behaviour or a weak horn can all point towards an electrical issue.
CHECK THE BATTERY
You don't always need specialist equipment to spot obvious battery problems. Start with a basic visual check.
FOUR THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Before blaming the battery itself, have a look at its condition and connections.
Are they clean, secure and properly connected?
Look for white, green or powdery build-up around the terminals.
Check for swelling, cracks, leaks or obvious damage.
Loose battery cables can cause starting and electrical problems.
IN THE WORKSHOP / KEWDALE, PERTH
A FLAT BATTERY ISN'T ALWAYS A BAD BATTERY.
A battery can go flat because of the battery itself, but it can also be caused by something else drawing power or a charging system that isn't working properly.
CLICK. NOTHING. CLICK. NOTHING.
That frustrating clicking sound when you hit the starter is one of the classic signs that something isn't supplying enough power.
A weak battery can struggle to provide enough power for the starter motor. But don't automatically assume the battery is the only possible cause.
WHEN THE LIGHTS START TO TELL YOU
Your motorcycle's electrical components can sometimes give you clues before the battery completely gives up.
Dim headlights, a weak horn, slow indicators or unusual dash behaviour can be signs that your motorcycle's electrical system needs attention.
DIM HEADLIGHTS
Especially noticeable when the bike isn't running.
WEAK HORN
A quieter-than-usual horn can be another small clue.
SLOW INDICATORS
Changes in electrical behaviour are worth paying attention to.
STRANGE DASH BEHAVIOUR
Flickering or unusual electrical behaviour shouldn't be ignored.
BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM?
This is where things can get a little more interesting. A battery that repeatedly goes flat may not actually be the main problem.
BATTERY
- Struggles to start
- Repeatedly goes flat
- Battery is getting older
- Corroded or loose terminals
CHARGING SYSTEM
- Battery keeps going flat
- Problems continue after charging
- Possible charging system fault
- Battery replacement doesn't solve the issue
A NEW BATTERY WON'T FIX A BIKE THAT ISN'T CHARGING PROPERLY.
If a replacement battery keeps going flat, it's worth checking why the battery isn't staying charged rather than simply replacing it again. Our guide on how motorcycle diagnostics work explains how a mechanic tracks down electrical and charging faults.
WHY DOES MY BATTERY KEEP GOING FLAT?
There are several common reasons a motorcycle battery can lose charge.
AGE
Batteries don't last forever and performance can decline over time.
SHORT RIDES
Short trips may not give the charging system enough time to replace the energy used to start the bike.
STORAGE
A motorcycle sitting unused can slowly lose battery charge.
ACCESSORIES
Alarms, USB chargers and other accessories can draw power.
CHARGING PROBLEM
The battery might not be the actual problem.
A battery check is just one part of keeping your bike reliable. Here's why it pays to use a professional motorcycle workshop for regular servicing, so small electrical issues get picked up before they leave you stranded.
HOW OLD IS YOUR BATTERY?
If your battery is getting older and you've started noticing starting problems, it's worth having it checked before it completely fails.
DON'T BUY IT YET.
If you're replacing a motorcycle battery, make sure you're buying one that actually suits your bike.
THE 60-SECOND BATTERY CHECK
Got a few minutes? Start with these simple checks before assuming you need a new battery.
DON'T WAIT FOR THE CLICK.
Your motorcycle battery will often give you clues before it completely gives up. If your bike is starting slower, clicking or repeatedly going flat, it's worth finding out why before you're stuck somewhere you don't want to be. Bring it in to our Kewdale workshop and we'll check the battery and charging system for you.