Trying to start your motorcycle with no luck? You may have a dead motorcycle battery on your hands. Don't worry, we can help get you running again!

Do you think your bike's battery is dead? There a few steps you can do to troubleshoot and solve your dead motorcycle battery problem. Continue reading to learn more!

Is It a Dead Motorcycle Battery?

Before you jump to conclusions, it's important to be sure your battery is the actual problem. To do this you need a multimeter. This will show you the standing voltage of your battery.

To check, remove all of your bodywork or pull off your seat. You can then connect your multimeter to your battery terminals. The red wire is positive and the black is negative. 

Your multimeter may require a setting before it will detect the voltage. Be sure to check the settings before using it. If the battery is above 12.73 volts then it is most likely not the cause for the issue. 

A battery that is below 12.73 volts most likely needs to be charged. If the battery reads below 12.05 volts, then you will probably need a new battery. Even if the bike starts with that amount of voltage, it could cause wear on the electrical system. Only risk it if you absolutely need to get somewhere.

Jump Start Your Motorcycle Battery

Now that you've figured out that your battery is the problem, you will want to jumpstart the battery. If you don't have jumper cables and are away from home you may be able to find someone who is willing to give you a jump.

You will need to connect your bike's battery to the car battery using the cables. This can be dangerous if done incorrectly so be sure to follow the steps carefully. You should have the car turned off when jump-starting because the bike's battery could get overloaded.

First, connect the positive or red-colored terminals on both vehicles. Then keeping the clamps separate from each other, clamp onto the negative terminal of the good battery. Attach the other black clamp to an unpainted metal part, other than the body of the vehicle, that is away from your bike's battery.

The last clamp you connect is going to spark. So you want it to be far away from your battery which is flammable. With the cables safely connected you can flip your bike's key. It should start-up within a few minutes of receiving the charge.

Keep your bike running for a while without the cables on. This will ensure that the battery is able to charge up.

Replace Your Battery

Hopefully, your battery is able to start up with a quick boost of energy from a car or other motorcycle. If you are home you can try charging your battery. For safety measures, you might want to purchase a portable jump starter pack for 12V batteries to keep with you.

They can offer peace of mind and avoid getting stuck somewhere on the open road. Plus, you can recharge your cell phone or help a friend out if needed. Once you get back to civilization it's a good idea to charge your battery with a multi-stage smart charger that will charge and recondition your battery.

You should be extra careful when working with a battery. These contain extremely toxic chemicals so always wear goggles and gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. 

Charged up and Ready to Go 

We hope these tips will help you properly fix a dead motorcycle battery. Next time you're heading out on the open road, be sure your battery is in working order.

Do you need a new battery for your motorcycle? Find the best deals on your next battery here.