At the end of the season, motorbikes are ridden on their favourite track one last time before they are allowed to move into their winter quarters, cherished and cared for. This time presents a challenge, especially for the battery. However, if they are carefully maintained, they can usually survive longer periods of standing and storage well. GS Yuasa, the world’s leading battery manufacturer and original equipment supplier for a wide range of motorbike manufacturers, summarises the most important tips for the upcoming winter break.
Simply jacked up and quickly covered with a blanket is not what bikes deserve after many great tours in the summer – especially if they are to be ready for use again quickly in the following spring. The additional care required for batteries is worthwhile, because optimally charged batteries have a longer service life and also survive storage over the winter months almost unimpressed.
This is how motorbike batteries survive the winter break:
- Optimally, the battery should be completely removed and cleaned if necessary.
- At the very least, the battery cables should be disconnected from the motorbike before prolonged storage. This protects the battery from being discharged by electrical consumers.
- Before final storage, it is important to fully charge the battery with a suitable charger. The 5- Smart Charger from GS Yuasa, for example, is available for 6V and 12V and has been specially developed for the care of motorbike batteries. Thanks to the higher power, the Smart Charger charges faster than comparable models and delivers optimal charging performance for VRLA, AGM, lithium and gel batteries.
- “Maintenance-free”, like the YT models from GS Yuasa, does not mean that the battery should be completely left alone over the winter months. At best, it should be checked once a month for conventional types, but at least every three months for AGM batteries.
- No real biker would put a dirty machine into winter mode either. The same applies to its battery: use a little water, possibly containing some baking soda, and a brush to remove dirt from the outside of the battery and inside the battery compartment. It is important to dry the battery thoroughly afterwards. Caution: Of course, nothing should get inside the battery!
Also look for signs of damage or unusual wear and tear that may have occurred during use. If you do need to replace the battery, fit.yuasa.com can help you find the perfect battery.
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GS YUASA is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of rechargeable batteries with production facilities worldwide and an extensive marketing and distribution network in Europe. The wide range of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries covers most well-known industrial applications, such as security and alarm systems, UPS and emergency lighting systems as well as OEM equipment. The three business units include Industrial (industrial batteries for standby and cyclic applications), Automotive and Motorcycle (automotive and motorbike starter batteries).
GS YUASA Battery Germany GmbH, founded in 1983 as YUASA Battery (Europe) GmbH, is based in Krefeld and serves 15 countries within Europe from there.
