What to Do When a Motorcycle Battery Has Been Sitting Too Long and Loses Charge?

The motorcycle battery is a crucial source of electrical power for the vehicle. When the battery runs out of charge, the motorcycle cannot start normally. So, what should you do if you find yourself in this situation? Let’s explore the answer together with Huỳnh Châu in the following article!

Related articles:

• 4 ways to check the condition of dry and wet batteries "like a pro"
• What you need to know about motorcycle batteries
• People in Ho Chi Minh City find various ways to revive dead motorcycles due to dead batteries

A dead motorcycle battery will prevent the bike from starting normally.

1. Causes of battery depletion

A weak or dead battery can arise from various reasons, such as:

• The motorcycle battery is damaged: The battery is a device that stores energy. However, if it malfunctions, it can no longer store power and may lose all its charge overnight.
• You frequently forget to turn off the engine, lights, turn signals, etc., when parking: This behavior wastes the motorcycle's energy and causes the battery to run out quickly.
• The motorcycle has been submerged in water, causing short circuits and depleting the battery's charge.
• The motorcycle is connected to multiple additional electrical devices: Installing extra electrical devices such as high-powered headlights, decorative lights, LEDs, etc., can overload the battery, leading to quick depletion and potentially causing fires or explosions.
• The motorcycle has been inactive for an extended period: If the vehicle is not used for a long time, the battery is likely to run out of charge. To avoid this, you should start the motorcycle for 5-10 minutes at least once a week.

A motorcycle left unused for a long time can easily cause the battery to deplete.

2. How to address the issue

When faced with a dead battery, there's no need to panic. If your motorcycle has a kick start, you can temporarily resolve the situation by kicking the pedal while turning the throttle to start the bike. However, if the motorcycle does not have a kick starter (typically newer scooters), the only way to fix this issue is to charge the battery or replace it with a new one.

If you're unsure what to do, check out the detailed guide below from the motorcycle lubricant distributor Huỳnh Châu:

Cleaning and charging the battery

First, remove the battery from the motorcycle and clean the terminals. You can use a bit of baking soda to clean any rust on the terminals. This will help improve electrical flow.

After cleaning, you need to charge the battery by following these steps:

Step 1: Prepare a suitable