Quad Bike
As you use your quad you may find yourself wondering what certain parts are for, even wondering why an engine that is only slightly larger than a lawnmower engine needs a battery, because with the right adjustments, a quad bike could start without one. So, can a quad bike run without a battery?
Yes, you can run your quad bike without a battery for a short period of time, however, it is not something that can be done for a prolonged period. Newer quad bikes with more technology will not run without a battery at all.
However, there are some special engines that can run without batteries and even more quad bikes that can run without a battery in emergencies. However, this can cause a load of problems that will damage and shorten the life of your quad, and getting to know these dangers and negative effects is an important part of owning a quad.
These are the things you must know about the battery in your quad bike.
Why do quad bikes need or use batteries?
Every internal combustion engine has a set way of operating, fuel enters the cylinder along with air, and then the piston compresses the mixture. As the pressure inside the engine reaches it’s maximum, a spark from your spark plug ignites the fuel and air mixture. This causes a combustion that pushes the piston down and creates a large amount of energy.
This is the basic way an engine works, and quad bike engines are no different, this is why a battery is important, the electric spark that causes the combustion comes from the electricity provided by it. You may then wonder why petrol lawnmowers can then start without one, the action of turning the engine causes a small spark, and the engine continues on using the power created by a small alternator.
Modern quads
For modern quad bikes running without a battery is no longer possible, the engines have become too large, and the technology connected to your quad too complex to run without an extra source of electricity. Few if any quad bikes use kickstart engines as well. This means that a battery is required to start the quad bike, turn the engine before combustion, and to provide the all-important spark.
These are just the basics. When you add on digital speedometers, lighting systems, and complicated tracking systems, the draw that is placed on a battery increases dramatically.
What are the dangers of not having a battery in your quad bike?
The first danger is the risk of not being able to start your quad bike easily, kickstart motors are known for being hard to start when they are cold and can over time become harder to start. However, while the ease of starting a modern quad bike is simply a button that needs to be pressed, there is the danger of not having something that soaks up the energy from the alternator.
Once the quad bike engine has been started, it will produce extra electricity, too much for just the spark plugs to use. This is where the danger to your quad bike’s internal systems start when the battery is connected the extra electricity will be automatically diverted into it, charging it, or allowing it to regulate any excess energy.
However, when there is no battery, this electricity is left to feedback into the system, causing surges and unwanted sparks to occur in the engine. This damages almost every component connected to the electric system; eventually, it will cause the entire engine to seize up, causing thousands in repairs to be made for it to work once again.
Older engines that are built to work without a battery will be smaller, usually being two-stroke engines or only being 50cc in size. Coupled with an extra part in your engine that stops surges from taking place, these quad bikes have the necessary safety features not to be damaged when the engine and alternator create excess electricity.
The danger of not having a battery in your quad bike is a combination of things. Your quad might work for a short while, but damage to internal electrics, being unable to start once cold, and a loss of power will mean you will spend more in the long run.
How to access the battery in your quad bike?
This has been universally the same for every quad bike since the addition of batteries to quad bikes. The seat can be lifted to reveal the small battery that the quad uses. This was decided early on as the best location to keep the battery for multiple reasons, from keeping it insulated, easy access if you need to jump-start the quad, and easy to remove when you need to replace the battery.
Lifting the seat is the easiest part, some quad my have a hidden bolt that has to be undone, however, most quad seats will simply clip in. The operator’s manual that you get with your quad bike will explain how to do this easily. If you have a storage compartment under your quad, then it is even easier. Once the seat has been lifted, you can undo the few clips and bolts on the plastic line to reveal the battery, sitting snugly under the compartment.
Larger and utility-based quad bikes may use larger batteries and will have larger storage compartments for you to use. However, they will have a better-insulated compartment to ensure that the battery stays dry. The insulation of the battery is vital to keeping your quad bike running, with the rough way you are bound to be using your quad keeping any water and moisture away from the battery promises to have you play much longer.
Quad bikes are known for being easy to jumpstart when something goes wrong. This can be if the battery is old and no longer works or even when you need to push it to start. The small size of a quad bike allows you to easily get your quad bike into a position where they can be jumpstarted from another quad bike or even a car.
The convenient placing of the battery makes replacing it a lot easier when you eventually reach to point where your current battery no longer works.
How to replace the battery in your quad bike?
Replacing your quad bike is a lot easier than almost any other vehicle out there. You start by removing it and then end by bolting the three or four bolts needed to secure it. However, you will need to know when to replace the battery as well, when it might be something else in the quad or how much you may have to spend.
Knowing when to replace the battery is essential. Like all vehicles, there are small electrical systems in a quad bike that are constantly draining your quads battery. If you use it regularly, you may find that these drains won’t ever cause a problem, as the constant driving will recharge the battery.
When you leave your quad bike for several months, the battery will be drained, causing damage to it that will mean you are going to need to replace it. Knowing the difference between a broken battery and something else is vital to keeping your quad bike in good working order.
A dead battery will mean that there is no sound from the engine turning, nor will there be any other electrical sounds. When your engine is running over, then your battery is fine, and something else is broken in the quad.
Replacing the battery can be done following 7 easy steps:
- Lift the seat and open the compartment to access the battery
- Simply unbolt the two connected wires
- Remove the straps or bolts that hold the battery in place and take the battery out
- Go to a local car parts store and get a fresh battery
- Connect the positive terminal to the red cable and the negative terminal to the black cable
- Bolt everything back into place
- Close the compartment.
Conclusion
The battery of your quad bike is a vital part of keeping it going, and having it maintained and ready for times of fun will mean you can rest easy. It’s essential to know the limitations of your quad and the dangers of not using your bike correctly, with or without a battery.
Go enjoy the dunes, the water, and the mud in your quad bike with the certainty that you’ll be having years of fun!
Happy quad biking!
