What Happens if You Don’t Charge a New Motorcycle Battery?

Indeed the motorcycle battery is the crucial motorbike part that we can never ignore, and the importance of the motorbike battery even further increases if it’s new. And that’s why the interesting question arises: what happens if you don’t charge a new motorcycle battery? 

If you don’t charge your new motorcycle battery, then your motorbike battery will be dead until you charge it. However, average new motorbike batteries come with 80% charging capacity, so they can’t be dead when you plug them into your motorbike. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about charging the new motorcycle battery. 

What Happens if You Don’t Charge a New Motorcycle Battery? 

Indeed your new motorbike is precious not only for you but for your motorbike too. Thus, what happens if you don’t charge a new motorcycle battery? 

If you don’t charge your new motorcycle battery, then your motorbike battery will be dead until you charge it. However, average new motorbike batteries come with 80% charging capacity, so they can’t be dead when you plug them into your motorbike. 

With 80% charging, you need to ride the motorbike, so your new motorbike can charge further. 

However, some motorbike batteries come uncharged, so it’s better to ask the dealer about the power capacity of the new motorbike battery. 

Should You Charge the New Motorbike Battery? 

So far, you understand that you don’t need to charge the new motorbike battery if it’s already charged. Now the question arises, should you charge the new motorbike battery? 

You should charge your new motorbike battery if it comes uncharged so you can ignite your motorbike engine. After all, you won’t be able to ignite your motorbike engine without charging. Consider charging your new motorbike battery if it comes with around 20-30% capacity.  

With the proper charging, you can put your battery in a ready-to-play state. 

Should You Charge a New Motorbike Battery When Winterizing a Motorcycle? 

Indeed you should charge your new motorbike battery before installing it; now the question arises, should you charge a new motorbike battery when winterizing a motorcycle? 

Suppose you’re planning to buy a new motorbike battery and store the motorbike simultaneously. In that case, it’s better to avoid buying a new motorbike battery. But if you already purchased a motorbike battery, you should connect it to the motorbike maintainer. 

The motorbike maintainer will charge the motorbike battery at the slowest pace and will keep the battery charged throughout the storage period. 

Should You Connect the New Motorbike Battery With the Trickle Charger? 

So far, you understand that you need to connect the motorbike battery to the maintainer to maintain the voltage and current in your new motorbike battery. Now the question arises, should you connect the new motorbike battery with the trickle charger? 

You can charge your new motorbike battery with the trickle charger. Still, you need to pay attention, so you don’t overcharge your new motorbike battery. Doing this would decrease the new motorbike’s battery health. While with the motorbike maintainer, you don’t need to pay attention while charging it. 

The motorbike maintainer comes with an intelligent chip that stops charging the battery once it’s charged, so your motorbike battery won’t overheat. 

For How Much Time Your New Motorbike Can Sit Idle? 

Indeed you can charge the new motorbike battery with the trickle charger. Now the question arises, for much longer can your new motorbike sit idle? 

Unlike the old average motorbike battery, which can sit idle for only 2-4 months, the new motorbike battery can sit idle for 3-5 months. After 3-5 months, your new motorbike battery will be dead, which could affect your motorbike battery health drastically. 

And that’s why experts always recommend connecting your new motorbike battery with the motorbike maintainer if storing it. 

How to Check the New Motorbike Battery Capacity? 

To check the capacity of a new motorbike battery, you can use a multimeter. In an ideal conditions, the multimeter should show a reading of around 12.8 volts. If the reading is below 12.4 volts, it indicates that the battery needs to be charged.

If you don’t have a multimeter, you can check the battery capacity by installing it directly into your motorbike. The new battery should be able to start your motorbike’s engine. However, if the engine fails to start after multiple attempts, you should connect the battery to a charger to ensure it is fully charged.

Can You Charge a New Battery with a Motorcycle? 

Indeed you should charge your new motorbike battery if it comes uncharged; now the question arises, can you charge a new battery with a motorcycle? 

Suppose your motorbike battery comes with enough charging that you can ignite the motorbike engine once. In that case, you should let your motorbike charge a new battery. Because it’s one of the safe and cost-effective methods through which you can extend your motorbike battery health. 

However, you’ll have to ride the motorbike for at least an hour to charge your motorbike battery significantly. 

How Long Would It Take to Charge the Battery By Riding? 

To fully charge a motorcycle battery, it generally takes around 3 hours of riding. The battery charges optimally when the voltage is between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. It’s important to note that the charging capacity increases with higher motorbike speeds, as the stator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

You can reduce the charging time by turning off any additional accessories installed on your motorbike. Additionally, smaller battery sizes tend to charge faster.

Should You Remove Motorcycle Battery for the Winter?

When it comes to winter storage, it is generally not necessary to remove the motorbike battery. Modern motorbike batteries are designed with electrolytes that can withstand extremely low temperatures, even as low as -19 ℉.

Even a battery with a 40% charge can handle sub-zero temperatures without issues.

Furthermore, if you have a motorbike battery maintainer, it helps to preserve the battery’s charging capacity. However, this applies only if your motorbike battery is in good condition. The maintainer ensures that the battery maintains its current and voltage levels throughout the storage period without overcharging, preventing battery malfunctions.

Also, read my previous post where I discussed can a trickle motorbike charger can destroy your motorbike battery or not, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

What happens if you don’t charge a new motorcycle battery? If you don’t charge your new motorcycle battery, then your motorbike battery will be dead until you charge it. 

However, average new motorbike batteries come with 80% charging capacity, so they can’t be dead when you plug them into your motorbike. Suppose your new motorbike battery has enough charge to ignite your motorbike battery. In that case, you can also charge your motorbike battery by riding the motorbike.