Buying and riding a new bike is often a matter of passion. Many people are simply crazy about bikes. The same does not seem to be true for a car which is mostly a family vehicle. Anyhow, when it comes to starting the engine, both need a battery. Are motorcycle batteries 6v or 12v? In this post, we will discuss this as well as different other aspects of motorcycles as a medium of commute.
For motorcycles, 6v batteries are more popular than 12v batteries that are considered a standard for cars. However, it is important to know the voltage of the battery system so that an appropriate charger can be used for charging the battery. For example, a 6v battery should be charged by a 6-volt charger. Using other configurations can damage the battery and create a hazardous situation.
A majority of the motorcycles use lead-acid batteries to start the engine. However, the actual voltage of these batteries is slightly more than 6v or 12v, and it actually depends on the charge level and the condition of the battery.
A 6v battery uses 3 cells of 2.1v each connected in a series called terminal, grossing 6.3v while a 12v battery uses 6 cells of 2.1v each, grossing 12.6v. However, these voltage levels change as per the state of charge and also the electrical load. As the battery’s voltage gradually becomes less, the voltage of the battery also becomes less. When an electrical load is placed on the battery, it drags down the voltage.
The state of charge of a motorcycle battery can be determined by measuring the voltage in different cells across the terminal.
The 6v batteries are also used by some types of mobility devices, recreational vehicles, and other applications. If you are using a 6v battery in your motorcycle, you should be using a matching 6v charger to keep your battery topped off. A charger with a variable charger setting can also be used. A 6-volt charger is capable of producing about 7 volts so it can optimally charge a 6v battery.
You can use a lower voltage charger such as a 2-volt charger, but it will take much longer to charge a 6v battery. It will also not be able to charge the battery fully. But using a higher voltage charger such as a 12-volt charger can actually be dangerous. While charging, the charger produces internal heat. With a battery and charger of the same voltage, the internal heat is just enough for them to comfortably manage. But in the case of a 12-volt charger, the internal heat can be too much for a 6v battery to handle and its electrolytes may boil and burst.
For this reason, you should know your battery and its voltage.
Are motorcycles cheaper to insure than cars?
Motorcycles could be cheaper to insure than cars for the simple reason that the cost of a motorcycle is on average less than that of a car. For a motorcycle priced higher than a car, the insurance price can be higher. But it depends on many other factors including insurance companies and the states where the insurance is being purchased.
The premium that you pay for the insurance of your motorcycle or car depends on the amount for which the insurance has been bought. This is one of the most important factors.
If your vehicle is valued at $5,000 and you buy insurance coverage for the entire amount, the insurance price would be the highest. But if the liability of the insurance company is limited, for instance to $3000, the insurance premium would be less.
For insurance companies, new vehicles have higher levels of being stolen. So, they would ask for a higher insurance price.
Some states have lower insurance costs so the actual cost of insurance may vary from state to state.
Having security features on your vehicles such as anti-theft locks can get you a discount on the insurance price from the insurance companies. Living in a more secure neighborhood can get you more discounts on your insurance.
These conditions apply to both motorcycles and cars. Insurance companies are mostly private business firms that sell insurance coverage as a product. These companies can make their offerings more attractive. So, you can expect more discounts and add-ons in insurances offered by different companies. It’s a competitive market and insurance companies offer insurance at competitive prices. Some companies may make their insurance coverage for motorcycles more attractive.
Is commuting by motorcycle cheaper?
Motorcycles commute to one or two persons at best. Compared to a car that can accommodate at least 4 people, motorcycles are more economical options for the daily commute. Commuting by motorcycle can be cheaper as they offer better mileage than cars.
You will probably save at least 50% on fuel by riding a bike than driving a car. Your wait in the traffic would be less. This means the fuel in your tank would last for longer. The repair and maintenance of a bike are relatively less expensive than the same for a car.
Overall, commuting by motorcycle is cheaper than a car.
List of Used bikes that are relatively ‘cheap’
· 2020 Kawasaki KLX 230 ($3,999)
· 2020 Vespa Sprint 50 iGet ($4,099)
· 2019 KTM 85 SX 17/14 ($4,999)
· 2019 Vespa Primavera 50 ($3,299)
· 2019 Vespa Sprint 50 ($3,299)
· 2019 Vespa Sprint 50 E4 ABS ($3,399)
· 2019 Yamaha XT250 ($4,495)
· 2018 Kawasaki KLX 250 Camo ($3,999)
· 2018 Kawasaki 400 ABS Ninja ($4,995)
· 2018 Yamaha XT250 ($4,295)
· 2017 Harley-Davidson XG750 ($4,993)
· 2017 Kawasaki 300 ABS Ninja ($4,999)
· 2017 Royal Enfield Continental ($3,999)
What factors make a used motorcycle so cheap?
motorcycles may look worn-out. Some external parts and accessories may have also worn out. All these factors make a used motorcycle cheaper.
Often, buying a used motorcycle is a good deal. They cost less and take longer to depreciate than new bikes. However, finding a bike that offers good value is not easy. If your knowledge about motorcycles is insufficient, you may not be able to identify a safe and reliable used motorcycle. Let’s see what makes a motorcycle cheaper.
Need for Repairs: Does the bike you are planning to buy need mechanical repairs? Frequent breakdowns and repairs can leave you frustrated. You should stay clear of bikes that have serious mechanical problems. If the motorcycle needs extensive repairs, it may come cheaper. But you should not fall for the bait.
Mileage: The bike’s mileage is an important indicator of its health. For a car, 50,000 miles is not much but for a bike, it can be the end of its lifespan. You should aim to buy a used bike with less than 20,000 miles. If the bike has clocked more than 20,000 km, it may come substantially cheaper. But again you should not fall for the wait.
Does the value of a motorcycle depreciate like cars?
Yes, the value of a motorcycle depreciates like that of a car. For a new motorcycle or car to become old does not take long. By the end of the first year, both can depreciate as much as 25%. By about 4 to 5 years, they can depreciate up to 50%. This means buying a vehicle is not an investment like buying a home that will grow. It’s a consumer good that depreciates over time.
Conclusion
Are motorcycle batteries 6v or 12v? By now, we know motorcycles predominantly use 6v batteries. Knowing the voltage of your motorcycle battery is important to use the right variety of charger for your battery. A mismatch between the battery and the charger can result in many disadvantages including slow-charging and exploding of the battery.
Buying insurance coverage for a motorcycle is comparable to the same for a car. As the cars are priced higher, they tend to be more expensive to insure than a motorcycle. However, the actual insurance price for a motorcycle or a car can depend on a whole range of variables.
Typically, commuting by motorcycle is cheaper. However, a car is a passenger vehicle that can carry at least 4 people at a time. Sometimes, a car may also prove to be a more economical commute per passenger than a motorcycle.
You can find many used motorcycles that offer good value for money. In this article, we have presented a list of used motorcycles that are reasonably priced and can be found both at the local dealers and online marketplace.
Normally, used motorcycles have core engines and components in a good condition. But many of the external parts and accessories may have worn out. Once you deduct the prices of these worn-out parts in a motorcycle, its price may fall significantly.
A motorcycle will depreciate almost at the same rate as a car. These are consumer goods that hold little value for the long term. In this context, buying a used motorcycle may offer a better value as it will depreciate at a lower rate.