A dead battery kills your riding day. Here is everything you need to know about choosing, charging, and maintaining powersports batteries.
Battery Types
Conventional flooded batteries require distilled water maintenance and proper venting. Absorbed Glass Mat or AGM batteries are sealed, maintenance-free, and vibration resistant - the right choice for ATVs and UTVs. Lithium batteries are 60 to 70 percent lighter than AGM but require lithium-specific chargers and perform poorly in cold below 32F.
Top Brands
Yuasa is the OEM supplier for most Japanese manufacturers. Their YTX series is the go-to replacement for Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki. Shorai and Antigravity make the leading lithium options for weight-sensitive applications.
Charging and Maintenance
A smart charger like the NOCO Genius 5 or Battery Tender Plus maintains charge without overcharging. Connect during storage. Charge before riding after 2 or more weeks of sitting. Desulfation mode on smart chargers can recover a slightly sulfated battery.