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After a long hiatus from riding, you’re nothing short of jonesing before your first ride of the year. Unfortunately, this is usually the most likely time for you to be met with the click of death when you hit the ignition. Your stomach sinks as you realize the battery is flat. And if you’re anything like me, you’re already running late to meet your buddies.
Thankfully, there’s an easy fix. Just hook up a motorcycle jump starter, and your pride and joy will be purring within a few minutes. And, since a motorcycle jump starter is portable, you can bring it with you to ease any anxieties regarding it starting later in the day.
Our Methodology
To choose the best motorcycle jump starter on the market, I employed The Drive’s comprehensive research methodology and evaluated dozens of jump starters before making my decision. Although I haven’t personally tested every product, my selection is informed by consumer testimonials, expert reviews, discussions on relevant online forums, and my institutional knowledge of the motorcycle industry.
Best Motorcycle Jump Starters: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Noco Boost Sport GB20 500A UltraSafe Jump Starter
Pros
- 500-amp output
- Up to 20 charges
- Lightweight
- Extremely portable and durable
- Loaded with safety features
Cons
- Doesn’t work with 6-volt batteries
- There are cheaper options
I treat the readers of The Drive as I do my friends, and if my friend asked me what motorcycle jump starter to buy, I’d only give them one answer: the Noco Boost Sport GB20. I don’t waste my friend’s time or money. I’d consider it a waste of time to look at different manufacturers because we know Noco is as reliable as brands get. And I think it’d also be a waste of money to buy anything more powerful than the Boost Sport GB20 if your sole purpose is to jump-start motorcycles.
This model has a 500-amp output. To put this into context: a single-cylinder 125cc dirt bike might require 120 CCA (cold cranking amps) to start, whereas a 1,200cc V-twin might need 300 CCA. So, regardless of what you throw a leg over, you can be confident that the Boost Sport GB20 will get it running without breaking a sweat. In fact, this model can jump-start anything up to a 4.0-liter gasoline engine.
The Boost GB20 acts as a portable power bank for all your devices, thanks to its USB out port, and can perform up to 20 jump starts on a single charge. You can fully charge this model in three hours using a 2.1-amp outlet and a micro USB. An LED indicator will tell you how much power the model has left. You can also use this jump starter as an LED flashlight, and its 100-lumen output and seven lighting modes should be enough for any emergency.
The Boost Sport GB20 weighs in at just 2.4 pounds and measures 8 x 8 x 4 inches, meaning you can pop it into your backpack and have it on hand in case of emergency. But don’t let its small dimensions and light weight fool you, it’s a durable piece of equipment. The jump starter is IP65 rated, making it water-resistant, and its rubberized over-molded casing prevents scratching and marring on surfaces.
Jumpstarting anything can be a daunting task—you’re dealing with a lot of power. Thankfully, this model has you covered in terms of safety with its mistake-proof design featuring spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection. There’s also a manual override button to help jump-start completely dead batteries.
Included in the sale is a 40-inch micro-USB charging cable, heavy-duty booster clamps, and a microfiber storage bag. The GB20 comes with a 1-year warranty.
Now, most modern motorcycles use a 12-volt battery, which is what the GB20 works with. But if you’re riding a retro or off-road bike that uses a 6-volt battery, this isn’t the jump starter for you. And that’s pretty much the only downside to this model. If your 6-volt battery has run out of juice, my advice is to pick up a Noco Genius5 and use its auto repair feature to bring the battery back to life and then charge it.
As stated, you don’t need more power for a motorcycle jump starter than this model provides. However, there’s almost always a Noco on sale, and the particular models on offer vary. At the time of writing this, the Noco Sport Boost GB40 is on sale, and the Sport Boost GB20 isn’t. So, for an extra few bucks, you could have twice the amperage and help your neighbor start his diesel truck, if needs be. With that said, the Boost Sport GB20 is unquestionably the best motorcycle jump starter, and the one I’d choose if both products are full retail price.
Other Product Recommendations
If you can’t get the Noco Sport Boost GB20 for any reason, here are some other jump starters that’ll do the job of firing up your engine just fine.
- Best 1000-amp: Noco Boost Plus GB40 1000-Amp Jump Starter
- Best Value: Avapow Jump Starter 2000A
- Best Heavy Duty: Noco Boost HD GB70 2000-Amp Jump Starter
- Best with Air Compressor: Duracell 900-Amp Jump Starter with Compressor
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: Typically, a battery will die within four months if you don’t use it, but that depends on its age. Older batteries may die in one to two months.
A: That depends on the engine’s condition, its size, and the starting components. If you have a 12-volt battery, it takes about 200 amps to start the bike.
A: Yes. This may cause it to die faster. Don’t leave a charger continuously connected to the battery or it will eventually drain it so it will no longer work.
A: Yes. Most of the devices on this list are designed to jump start your motorcycle from completely drained. However, these are not meant to be a fix for an aging battery that ultimately needs replacing, but they’re a good emergency or temporary solution.
A: You can expect most good quality motorcycle jump starters to last four years or more with regular charging and proper care. Most come with warranties that last one or two years, but that’s usually to protect against unforeseen defects.
