Whenever you buy something new or replace something old, you want to ensure that everything is of the best quality, especially when purchasing dirt bike parts.
Today, we will review the top 5 best batteries for dirt bikes, and hopefully, this list that we made will help you choose the best battery for your off-road motorcycle.
Now, we all know that not every dirt bike has a battery, or it has a small OEM battery that doesn’t offer much additional utility in case you want to attach extra mods that will make your dirt bike more street legal.
But first, let’s learn more about batteries.
Table of Contents
Make sure the battery will fit your dirt bike
The motorcycle battery must be the correct size and type for your dirt bike. You can find this information on the battery box and compare it with the one you want to buy. Check out some youtube videos too.
All of the batteries below we chose in this list can fit on most dirt bikes, and it’s why RMATV is our favorite shop for parts, as you can get a specific part for your dirt bike by selecting type, year, make and model.
However, as I said, do your research before purchasing any parts or accessories for your dirt bike, or simply call the shop and ask them if that battery would be a match for your dirt bike.
Types of Dirt Bike Batteries
There are four types of electric batteries used in dirt bikes:
- Wet Cell Batteries
- Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries
- Gel Cell Batteries
- Lithium-Ion Batteries
Wet Cell Batteries
The most popular and most used battery is the Wet Cell battery.
A Wet Cell battery is made up of plates and lead-acid. The leaves are connected with separators.
When the positive rail voltage rises or decreases, it causes the electrolyte in that bushing to be forced into one of those tiny holes between each plate when heat creates a partial pressure (pressure differential) throughout the battery. The result is a huge volume of gases that causes the plates to swell, thereby freeing them from each other, resulting in cell pop or individual plate discharge (PD).
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries
AGM Batteries have no lead. They are sealed so they cannot damage when they overheat. If they do get too hot, they will cool down after 20 to 30 minutes depending upon the individual model (most AGM batteries can maintain a temperature of 44F in 90% humidity).
Gel Cell Batteries
Gel Cell Batteries are sealed against water and have no plates or lead.
Gel Cell Batteries have a lithium component and no acid electrolyte, so they stay cool in almost any weather or temperature conditions & can withstand very high or low temperatures over long periods. You don’t need to add water to maintain your battery. Gel Cells supply current in one direction only and do not self-discharge – therefore, you will never need to service or top off these batteries either.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries in dirt bikes and other small electric vehicles are intended to have increased capacity and faster charge rates than lead-acid batteries. They also typically weigh less, making them more responsive in off-road conditions.
Lithium-Ion Batteries have the added advantage of more capacity than other common battery chemistries such as Gel Cells. This is because Li-Ion has an even higher theoretical energy density per lb than other chemistries. They also cost significantly less to make.
Here are the top 5 batteries for your dirt bike:
Tusk Lithium Pro Battery
The Tusk Lithium Pro Battery is a small, compact battery that can fit motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. This battery features high-power lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) extremely lightweight cell technology (1/3 the weight of traditional lead/acid batteries). These batteries offer a long service life and have little to no corrosive liquids or toxic heavy metals (they can be installed in any direction). They come with a 5-year full 1-year warranty.
Read my full review of the Tusk Lithium Pro Battery here.
Tusk Tec-Core Battery with Acid
Tusk Tec-Core Batteries is a battery that can be used for all types of motorsports needs. The Tusk Tec-Core Batteries come complete with a pre-measured electrolyte (acid) pack that makes filling the battery accurate and straightforward. In contrast, the Maintenance-Free Gel batteries come pre-filled (always refer to safety instructions and wear safety glasses when filling any battery. They are designed for reduced maintenance and better water resistance. It has an advanced material (like aircraft quality aluminum offerings) to carry long-lasting power while maintaining the factory warranty of your vehicle that would have been forfeited with the use of a liquid battery. Every Tusk Tec-Core battery comes with a 6-month warranty.
Yuasa No maintenance Battery With Acid
The YUASA, No Maintenance Battery with Acid, is one of the best batteries available today. Over ten years, this battery has never failed in triathlons, endurance races, extreme sports, and off-road riding competitions like mountain biking and quads. It’s waterproof, reliable, and safe to use. Yuasa’s design enables more extended periods between charges. The battery has a Flat Rate Pricing Policy and comes with one year warranty!!!
Antigravity Batteries Re-Start Lithium Battery
This type of battery is the World’s First Battery with Built-in Jump Starting using RE-START Technology.
This revolutionary RE-START Battery intelligently monitors its status and, just before going ultimately dead, puts itself to sleep with enough energy to get your vehicle started again. Press the RE-START button on the battery, start your car and enjoy your drive. If you buy Antigravity Batteries Re-Start lithium battery, you will no longer have dead battery emergencies or be stranded!
These batteries have up to twice the lifecycle of lead/acid and other Lithium batteries due to the full Battery Management system. Also, it is ultra-lightweight with up to 70% lighter than an equivalent lead/acid battery.
Shorai Lithium-Iron Battery
This is a superior battery to the Yuasa and Antigravity batteries. The detector support board fits most vehicles with an OBD II Ion-catcher or Delco plug. The Shorai Lithium-Ion battery has a built-in charge controller eliminating voltage control issues experienced with other lithium batteries. The pack is rugged enough to be used in a long-range bike and has the benefit of having both sealed cells (saves on dirt bike maintenance) as well as an inline fuse in addition to the master cut off switch (protecting your main relay and all your wiring from over-discharge & current draw). The positive terminal can be mounted anywhere on the frame a/c line, single or dual battery setup.
The Shorai Lithium batteries have been selected for military applications, most notably Israeli forces in attack helicopters, etc… Many people are now using them in their pit bikes, and Mulitivisinal Police forces around the world have used them.
Q&A
Can Dual Sport dirt bikes use these batteries?
Most dual sport dirt bikes have bigger motorcycle batteries. So you might need to do additional research on what type and dimension of a battery your dual-sport dirt bike can have or simply buy OEM. In the case of making your non-factory dual sport dirt bike into street legal, then the batteries above would suffice as they have enough juice to power the accessories that your state required by law.
How do you choose a good battery for a dirt bike?
When looking to buy a battery for your dirt bike, you must consider the type of terrain that you will be using the bike on and what kind of power specifications are necessary. Additionally, it is also important to match the battery with your specific dirt bike. Some batteries are better suited for off-road use, while others may be more appropriate for street riding.
What type of battery does a dirt bike use?
A dirt bike typically uses a lead-acid battery. Lead-acid batteries are not as powerful as some other types of batteries, but they are cheaper and more common. If you want to buy a new battery, it is best to consult your dirt bike’s manufacturer for specific recommendations.
