What Happens If You Connect Positive To Negative On A Motorcycle Battery?

It is never a good idea to connect the positive to the negative on a motorcycle or car battery. This will cause a powerful current to flow between the cables.

Unfortunately, this could lead to sparks and even a fire. At the least, the insulation around the wires will probably be burned.

Never experiment with this because you could get seriously injured and the battery will likely be ruined.

Reversing Polarity On Motorcycle Battery

What happens if you connect positive to negative on a motorcycle battery? Your motorcycle’s battery is designed to support positive and negative connections. The negative plates are made using sponge lead.

The positive plates contain lead oxide. You could potentially charge the battery backward, but it will eventually damage and destroy the battery. You’ll also have to worry about potential risks to yourself and other parts of your motorcycle.

If the negative and positive terminals touch, a strong current will begin flowing between them. The current will cause a spark to develop and it could lead to a fire.

The insulation around the wires will probably burn. If you’re not wearing protective gear, you’re probably going to get injured.

To avoid such problems, make sure that the negative and positive terminals never touch.

How To Change A Motorcycle Battery

If you’re going to change your bike’s battery, it is pertinent to find out how to do so safely. Otherwise, you could destroy the battery, damage the bike, and hurt yourself.

Thankfully, it is easy to safely change a motorcycle’s battery without running into these issues. First, you’ll need to remove the current battery.

The battery is likely under the seat so you’ll need to lift the seat first. The ignition switch should be turned off.

Remove the straps holding the battery in place. Use a wrench to disconnect the negative wire first. Then, you can remove the positive cable.

Once you’ve found a suitable replacement, you can begin installing it. Place the battery in the designated spot. Attach the positive cable before attaching the negative cable.

Be sure to strap the battery down so it won’t vibrate excessively during trips.

How To Protect Your Motorcycle Battery

Motorcycle and car batteries are relatively expensive so you’ll want to make sure they last for as long as possible. You should take steps to preserve the life of your batteries.

Unfortunately, motorcycle batteries are more vulnerable because the vehicle may not be driven during the cold winter months.

Thankfully, you can offset the risks by using a battery tender. The device will keep the battery charged when the motorcycle isn’t being used for extended periods.

You’ll also want to properly maintain the battery to keep it in excellent condition. Finally, make sure that you are careful about exposing the battery to extreme temperatures.

Maintaining A Bike Battery

Proper maintenance can extend the life of your battery and help you avoid needing to buy a new one so soon. Regularly, you should look at the battery and clean the terminals.

See if there are signs of corrosion. You can clean off any debris by using a wire brush. If you have a conventional battery, you may need to add distilled water.

Keep an eye on the electrolyte levels. When the plates aren’t fully submerged, add more distilled water.

Finally, consider testing the battery’s level regularly. Use a battery tester to check its level.

Usually, it is best to complete these steps once a month. Doing so can help protect your battery and help you avoid needing a replacement soon.

What Can Drain Your Motorcycle Battery?

Motorcycle batteries are designed to last for a long time. On average, a battery should provide years of use. Nevertheless, certain things can drain the battery and cause it to die much sooner.

First, there is a chance that you accidentally left the headlights on. Unfortunately, this will quickly drain the headlights.

Other elements may also be draining the battery. For instance, it could be the alarm system, clock, or radio. In some cases, the battery isn’t properly connected.

The connections may be corroded or loose. Ultimately, this is why you should check the battery at least once a month.

The natural vibration will loosen the connections so you’ll want to tighten them often. A battery can also be drained due to extreme temperatures.

When you drive your motorcycle, the battery should charge during the trip. If this isn’t happening, the battery may die before you know it.

Taking too many short trips can cause the battery to become drained too.

How Long Should A Motorcycle Battery Last?

It is hard to know exactly how long your motorcycle’s battery will last. However, they’re meant to last for several years.

Typically, they can last up to five years if properly maintained and protected. If your battery died much sooner, you might’ve done something wrong or a system could be draining the power.

Conventional acid-filled batteries have a lifespan of two to five years.

When Should I Replace My Motorcycle Battery?

What happens if you connect positive to negative on a motorcycle battery? You’re going to cause a variety of problems and you’ll probably destroy the battery.

Plus, motorcycle batteries have a limited lifespan so they have to be replaced every few years. You can identify a dying battery based on the performance of the bike.

First, you should try starting the motorcycle. If the battery is working well, you shouldn’t have any problems. Just remember that starting problems can be caused by other issues too.

If you’re having difficulty starting your motorcycle, it’d be a good idea to have the battery tested. Replace it if the mechanic says it is dying.

You should also pay close attention to the bike’s headlights and horns. If the headlights are dimmer than usual or the horn is quieter, the battery could be the culprit.

Using a multimeter is an excellent way to detect a problematic motorcycle battery. You should receive a reading between 13 and 13.6. If the reading is less than 11, the battery should be charged or replaced.

Finally, you should change your battery if you’re having electronic failures.

What To Do With Your Old Motorcycle Battery?

Old motorcycle batteries cannot be thrown in the garbage because they may contain lead acid. Instead, you need to find a safer disposal method to avoid harming someone or the environment.

Many automobile shops offer recycling programs that make it easy to get rid of old bike and car batteries. You can also try calling your local recycling center because it may accept vehicle batteries.

When purchasing a new battery, you may be asked to turn in the old one. You’ll probably have to pay a disposal fee, but it’ll be worth it to get rid of the battery safely.

Some car dealerships and home improvement stores will also help customers recycle their old batteries. Call these establishments to see if any recycling programs are available in your city.

Frequently Asked Questions