Lead-Acid vs Lithium: Which Motorcycle Battery is Best for Your Bike?
Motorcycle batteries are crucial — they’re essential duties include starting the engine, powering your lights, ignition, and more. So, which type of battery is best for motorcycles?
The two most popular types of motorcycle batteries are lead-acid and lithium-ion (AKA: lithium) batteries. While both are reliable options, they each come with their own pros and cons, particularly when it comes to performance, durability, and maintenance.
So, let’s crank up the pun machine and ignite a debate about which is best…
What are Lead-Acid Motorcycle Batteries?
Lead-acid batteries have been used in motorcycles for decades. These batteries work by using lead dioxide as the positive electrode and sponge lead as the negative electrode, with sulfuric acid as the electrolyte.
Lead-acid batteries are relatively cheap and are commonly found in traditional motorcycles, particularly older models or those with more simple electrical systems.
What are Lithium Motorcycle Batteries?
Lithium motorcycle batteries are a more modern alternative for powering motorbikes. These use lithium compounds as the positive electrode and graphite as the negative electrode. These batteries are known for being lightweight and denser compared to lead-acid batteries.
Lithium batteries are most often found in newer, high-performance ICE and electric motorcycles.
What are the Pros and Cons of Lead-Acid Motorcycle Batteries?
Lead-acid motorcycle batteries are a well-established choice due to their affordability and reliability, but they do come with certain negatives (see what we did, there?!).
How Powerful Are Lead-Acid Batteries for motorcycles?
Lead-acid batteries store less energy per unit of weight. This can be a disadvantage in motorcycles where weight is a key consideration for performance and handling. However, they perform comparatively better in cold weather compared to lithium-ion batteries.
How Durable are Motorcycle Lead-Acid Batteries?
While lead-acid motorcycle batteries are durable, their lifespan can be shortened by regular deep discharges. A deep discharge is when a battery is drained to a low state of charge, usually to 80% of its capacity or more.
Frequent deep discharges can cause the battery plates to sulfate, reducing their efficiency. Sulfation refers to the buildup of lead sulfate crystals, the salty looking stuff that can appear around the terminals. It is the prime cause of early battery failure in lead-acid batteries.
In addition to this drawback, extremely high or low temperatures can degrade the lead-acid battery’s lifespan more quickly.
Lead-acid motorcycle batteries are also susceptible to spills, which may be an issue for those into motorsports and those who frequently negotiate uneven terrain.
Nevertheless, lead-acid batteries have been around for decades, and they have a good track record. Many riders testify to their reliability, since these batteries can be revived even if they run out of juice in the middle of nowhere.
How to Maintain Lead-Acid Motorcycle Batteries
One of the primary downsides of lead-acid motorcycle batteries is the level of maintenance they require. They must be regularly checked for fluid levels, and their terminals need to be cleaned and checked for corrosion.
They also need to be carefully charged to avoid overcharging or undercharging as both can affect their performance and lifespan.
What is The Lifespan of Lead-Acid Motorcycle Batteries?
The typical lifespan of a lead-acid motorcycle battery is around two to four years, depending on how the battery is used, stored, and maintained. Batteries that experience frequent deep discharges or poor storage conditions (usually being subjected to the elements) may fail sooner.
That said, there are many of them around, and replacement options are widely available for various motorcycle makes and models.
How Much Do Lead-Acid Motorcycle Batteries Cost?
Because of their simple designs, lead-acid batteries are generally cheaper than lithium-ion batteries.
What are the Pros and Cons of Lithium Motorcycle Batteries
How Durable are Lithium Motorcycle Batteries?
Lithium batteries are known for their durability. They can withstand many charge cycles, which makes them highly reliable in applications where long-term reliability is essential.
Like lead-acid batteries, their durability can also be affected by factors such as temperature extremes and deep discharge cycles.
Some brands utilise advanced technologies to improve durability. Motobatt has MP Overcharge Protection, designed to monitor and regulate the charging process, ensuring that the battery is charged within safe limits.
The MP Overcharge Protection system has voltage monitoring, temperature control, and current-regulation mechanisms that significantly extend battery life.
How to Maintain Lithium Motorcycle Batteries
Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries need very little attention. They don’t suffer from corrosion or sulfation, so there’s no need for frequent maintenance.
Most lithium chargers need specialised tools and steps for charging, unlike those used for more straight-forward lead-acid batteries. This can be an inconvenience for those with basic battery chargers.
A quick and affordable upgrade to a suitable charging and maintenance device is all that’s required for those who want to keep their lithium motorcycle battery in fine fettle.
What is The Lifespan of Lithium Motorcycle Batteries?
The lifespan of a lithium battery is typically longer than that of other common battery types, the more modern battery type lasting anywhere from five to ten years, depending on application.
But one issue that lithium batteries have is that they cannot be revived once they’re dead. You might have experienced draining your lead-acid battery and jumpstarting it with a recharge. You can’t do that on a lithium.
How Much Do Lithium Motorcycle Batteries Cost?
While lithium batteries offer many obvious benefits, their main disadvantage is their price. Lithium-ion batteries can cost several hundred dollars, while a lead-acid battery for the same motorcycle might be only a fraction of that price. This upfront cost can be a barrier for some motorcycle owners.
Despite the initial outlay being greater, the higher efficiency, longer lifespan, and lower maintenance requirements of lithium batteries can make them more cost-effective in the long run, especially in high-performance motorcycles or electric motorcycles.
Lead-acid or lithium — which one will you buy?
Getting down to brass tacks, lead-acid batteries are affordable and reliable but heavier, require more maintenance, and have a shorter lifespan.
Lithium batteries are lightweight, low-maintenance, and last longer, making them ideal for high-performance bikes. However, their higher upfront cost can be a barrier to some.
The choice depends on your priorities: cost, performance, convenience, or all three?
