Can a motorcycle battery still be used after being left unused for a year?
2 Answers
Motorcycle batteries cannot be used after being left unused for a year. Avoid storing in a discharged state: A discharged state refers to when the battery is not recharged promptly after use. The longer the battery remains idle in a discharged state, the more severe the damage will be. When the battery is not in use, it should be charged once a month to extend its service life. Regular inspection is necessary: During use, if the electric bike's range suddenly drops by more than ten kilometers in a short period, it is highly likely that at least one battery in the pack has issues such as broken cells, softened plates, or shedding of active material from the plates, leading to a short circuit. In such cases, it is advisable to promptly visit a professional battery repair facility for inspection, repair, or replacement.
I've been riding motorcycles for twenty years and I know that a battery might still work after sitting for a year, but it depends. Once, my Yamaha sat in the garage for a whole year without any attention, and the battery was completely dead. I charged it overnight with a charger, and after the voltage recovered, it could start the engine, but it was noticeably slower. Storage conditions are crucial: never leave it in a damp or high-temperature place, as that accelerates battery aging and can cause internal sulfation, leading to failure. It's best to remove the battery and store it in a dry indoor place, charging it every two or three months to maintain power. After a year, try charging it first—if it starts normally after charging, it can still be used, but its lifespan will be shorter, so prepare a new one soon. Once, I forgot to check and ended up stranded halfway, pushing the bike for ages—exhausting! So don’t cut corners; testing is the most reliable approach.
