The most common non-fault fault
A large share of "it won't start" problems are battery problems, and most of them are avoidable. Motorcycles are harder on batteries than cars: smaller capacity, less charging on short runs, months of standing, and cold starts.
What kills them
- Short journeys. Starting uses far more than a ten-minute ride replaces. Repeated short trips leave the battery in permanent deficit — this is the single most common cause
- Standing unused, especially in cold, because bikes draw a small current even when off
- Deep discharge. Some battery types are permanently damaged by being run flat even once
- Heat, which shortens life over time
- Loose or corroded terminals, which mimic a dead battery convincingly
What actually helps
An optimiser or maintenance charger. The single best purchase for anyone who does not ride daily. It costs far less than a battery and extends life substantially. Leave it connected whenever the bike is parked for more than a few days.
Longer rides occasionally, rather than only short hops.
Clean, tight terminals. Check them when you think the battery is failing — sometimes that is the whole problem.
Before you buy a new one
- Charge it fully and test it again — a discharged battery is not necessarily a dead one
- Check terminals and earth connections
- Have the charging system checked. If the bike is not charging properly, a new battery will fail too
Use the battery type and specification in your manual. Types are not interchangeable, and charging requirements differ between them.
Your experience
How long are your batteries lasting, and what is your usage pattern? Model, country, how often you ride, whether you use an optimiser. Owners who commute daily and owners who ride monthly will report very different lifespans.