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Purchasing advice

Which battery for my motorcycle?

Abbildung Which battery for my motorcycle?

First of all, a battery must fit into your motorcycle, i.e. the dimensions, connections and technical data must be correct. But even once this has been clarified, you are still spoiled for choice: you can usually install several types of motorcycle battery. A classic, wet lead-acid battery has different advantages and disadvantages than an AGM, GEL or lithium battery. Which one is more suitable for you depends on how you use your motorcycle. This article will help you find the perfect intAct Bike Power battery type for you. 

Das Bild zeigt die runde, grüne Grafik des Abschnitt 1.

Which battery can I install in my motorcycle?

When we talk about motorcycle batteries, we mean particularly compact starter batteries. Their main task is to start the combustion engine. However, they also supply consumers such as seat heating, navigation system and ABS while riding.

You can find out which motorcycle (starter) battery actually fits in your vehicle in terms of dimensions by measuring your old battery.
The picture shows a diagram for the correct measurement of batteries.

The user manual usually lists the most important technical data: the voltage (Volt), the capacity (Ah) and the cold test current (A(EN)), e.g. 12V 10AH 210 A(EN). 
The picture shows the intAct Bike-Power GEL including the voltage and capacity specifications.

It's easier with our battery finder. Here you enter the make, model and year of manufacture and receive a list of all batteries that you can install in your motorcycle. It's even easier with the KBA number. 

to the battery finder

Incidentally, motorcycle batteries do not only start two-wheelers.
They are also used in other vehicles, including:

Abbildung Motor scooter or scooter 
Abbildung Jet skis
Abbildung Snowmobile
Abbildung ATVs (all-terrain work vehicles such as quads)
Abbildung UTVs (small commercial vehicles with side-by-side seats)

 

Das Bild zeigt die runde, grüne Grafik des Abschnitt 2.

Motorcycle batteries: Variants at a glance

Wet lead-acid battery

The classic starter battery for combustion engines is a wet lead-acid battery: a housing filled with acid and lead grids. Electricity is generated almost automatically. The process can be reversed: The battery is charged by supplying electricity. So far, so good.
They have been around since the 1850s and have been improved time and again since then, e.g. new grid material has made it possible to start more powerful engines. 
Abbildung

However, the biggest disadvantage of the wet lead-acid battery remains: The acid is liquid and can leak.
You can find out why it still makes sense in this paragraph:  

to the wet lead-acid battery

 

AGM and GEL batteries for motorcycles

Handling acid is dangerous and costly, and is now even severely restricted by law for private individuals. For this reason, the acid in "sealed" AGM and GEL batteries is no longer liquid, but "solid". The methods are different: in the AGM battery, the space between the grids is filled with fleece, which absorbs the acid; in the GEL battery, the acid is thickened. 
Das Bild zeigt die intAct Bike-Power GEL und die intAct Bike-Power AGM.

Here you can find out the differences between AGM and GEL motorcycle batteries and what they are suitable for:
to the GEL battery or to the AGM battery

 

Lithium motorcycle batteries

The extremely compact lithium battery was developed in the 1970s to supply electricity for cell phones, tools, electric vehicles and much more. It no longer has anything to do with lead and acid. There are now also lithium batteries for starting motorcycles and cars with combustion engines.  
Abbildung

Find out here when a lithium battery is the best choice for your motorcycle:

to the lithium battery

 

As you can see, each battery type has its justification. Let's take a closer look at the advantages of each design and what other special forms there are, e.g. the GEL HVT. 

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The cheap option for your motorcycle: the wet lead-acid battery

As the standard battery technology for motorcycles, the intAct Bike-Power Classic is above all the cheaper alternative to GEL or AGM batteries of the same size and, above all, cheaper than a lithium battery.
Abbildung

If you keep an eye on the fluid level, top up the water regularly and charge the battery, it will perform well and last a long time. Abbildung

Their disadvantage:: 
You have to look after them more than other motorcycle batteries and if your bike tips over, acid may leak out, which not only damages the paintwork but also the performance of your battery.
In addition, wet lead-acid batteries must be filled with acid shortly before installation. Since 2021, only specialist companies can do this. This means you can no longer buy wet batteries online.

The intAct Bike-Power Classic remains our recommendation if a GEL or AGM battery cannot be installed.

Das Bild zeigt die runde, grüne Grafik des Abschnitt 4.

Many consumers & long service life: GEL motorcycle battery

Like AGM batteries, GEL batteries are completely maintenance-free, i.e. they never need to be topped up again. They are also leak-proof thanks to the thickened electrolyte. Install at an angle? Tipped over bike? Nothing leaks with the intAct Bike-Power GEL.


Abbildung

But the thickened GEL can do even more: it ensures significantly less self-discharge than classic lead-acid batteries or AGM batteries. Perfect for fair-weather and seasonal riders!
GEL batteries are robust.The GEL protects the grids in the battery against engine vibrations, corrosion and the acid stratification typical of wet batteries. 
Das Bild zeigt die Grafik des Aufbaus vom inneren einer Gel-Batterie.

The intAct Bike-Power GEL combines the advantages of the GEL battery with high starting power. It is the high-quality motorcycle battery alternative, especially in bikes with a lot of equipment, such as ABS, grip heating and the like. Motorcycle GEL batteries are therefore particularly powerful, even though GEL batteries are not typical starter batteries. 
Abbildung

The advantages of motorcycle GEL batteries summarized:

  • leak-proof, installation even at an angle of up to 90° 
  • Low self-discharge
  • maintenance-free  
  • High starting power 
  • Shake-proof 
  • supplies power-consuming consumers
  • up to 50 % of the energy can be removed 
  • Robust against acid stratification and repeated charging 

We recommend intAct Bike-Power GEL for almost all motorcycles, except for many short trips. It is the best choice for occasionally used scooters in particular. You can find out more about selecting batteries for scooters in our corresponding buying guide. 

Das Bild zeigt die runde, grüne Grafik des Abschnitt 5.

Short distances on your motorcycle? AGM battery!

AGM batteries are available in two versions: Factory-filled AGM batteries such as our intAct Bike-Power SLA and those that are only filled with acid before installation. 
Das Bild zeigt die beiden intAct Motorradbatterien AGM und SLA.

Attention:
AGM batteries with a separately supplied acid pack can no longer be purchased online since 2021. 

Although AGM and GEL batteries are often mentioned together as maintenance-free batteries, there are also important differences here. Due to the swollen separators, in which the electrolyte is absorbed, the AGM has a particularly high starting performance and absorbs charge well. This means that the AGM battery charges better via the alternator during short journeys than a wet battery or GEL battery.
Das Bild zeigt die Grafik des Aufbaus vom inneren einer AGM-Batterie. 

An important difference to the GEL battery is the leakage protection. The swollen separators of the AGM battery work in a similar way to a sponge. If the battery is tilted for a longer period of time, the electrolyte "sinks" to the side. In contrast to a GEL battery, the grids are partially exposed and damaged if the battery is stored at an angle for a longer period of time. The graphic symbolizes the properties of GEL and AGM batteries.

The advantages of motorcycle AGM batteries summarized:

  • Conditionally leak-proof 
  • maintenance-free
  • high peak currents 
  • well suited for short, frequent charging cycles and frequent starting processes 
  • less sensitive to temperatures, especially in a pure lead version 

Tip:
If you want to know more about the influence of temperature on batteries,
take a look at our article on the subject. 

Extreme temperatures for batteries

The intAct Bike-Power SLA is our recommendation for short distances. It is particularly suitable for scooters that are mainly used in city traffic. You can find out more about choosing the right scooter battery in our buying guide for scooter batteries. 
Das Bild zeigt die intAct Bike-Power SLA für Roller und Motorräder.

Das Bild zeigt die runde, grüne Grafik des Abschnitt 6.

Powerful heavy-duty motorcycle batteries: GEL & AGM

The entire design of the special heavy-duty GEL battery is more compact and additionally reinforced. This ensures even more power in the same space. Our intAct Bike-Power GEL HVT-HD and the intAct Bike-Power HVT (AGM-based) are examples of this.
Abbildung

Tip:
You can find out which of the two is the best choice for your heavy motorcycle with strong vibrations and extensive equipment here:

Buying advice for large-volume machines

Das Bild zeigt die runde, grüne Grafik des Abschnitt 7.

Lithium motorcycle battery: lightweight & compact

Thanks to their special design, lithium batteries are extremely small and light. As they can also be installed in any position, they are particularly suitable for starting combustion engines in custom bikes and racing motorcycles (if a battery is installed at all).Abbildung

Lithium batteries also have a particularly high starting performance and they can be drained to almost 0% charge without damage. Although they charge up to full charge more quickly than lead-acid batteries, they do so evenly. Whereas with an AGM battery, even a short drive can be enough to store enough power for the next start, the lithium battery needs longer for this. 

Attention!
However, lithium motorcycle batteries are very expensive. 

The intAct Bike-Power Lithium is the perfect choice for custom bikes or other situations where weight and space play a major role. Here you can find more information about the battery in different sizes and strengths.

to the intAct Bike-Power Lithium

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Conclusion: The right motorcycle battery

  • To summarize, the wet-cell battery is above all the cheap alternative.
  • Investing in a more robust, leak-proof and maintenance-free GEL battery is particularly worthwhile for motorcycles that are ridden irregularly and those with many electrical consumers.
  • Neither are ideal if you ride a lot of short distances. In this case, it is better to opt for an AGM battery.
  • If money is no object, lithium batteries are the performance, space and weight miracle.

Battery finder for your motorcycle.


Find the right battery quickly.

KBA-Nr.
Modell
OE-/Alt.Nr.

info

Where can I find the KBA number?

You can find the KBA number (HSN and TSN) in the vehicle registration document:
• New (from 30/09/2005): Fields 2.1 and 2.2
• Old (before 30/09/2005): Fields 2 and 3

Start-Stopp-Automatik

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What is an OE number?

The OE number is a part number assigned by the vehicle manufacturer. If there is an OE/alternative number on your battery, you can enter it here.

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GEL12-9-4B-1

Kapazität:
12 Ah (c5) Kälteprüfstrom:
350 A(EN)

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To find the right battery for your vehicle, we use extensive data from battery manufacturers. However, due to the large number of battery and vehicle models, errors can never be completely ruled out. Therefore, pay attention to the following points when making your selection: Technology, battery dimensions, circuit and floor bar.