battery options

[MrFeldman]

Has anyone tried one of the new "lightweight" carbon fiber batteries, saw a coupke venders @ the Seattle bike show,...I was interested, they weigh 1/4 of a stock or aftermarket gel batt, but what about longevity and cranking amps, cost is about double the regular batt.

[Groceryrun]

Would you remember any of the battery company names ?

[shreddr]

been there, done that. Lithium works great for cell phones and laptops, but i don't think they are the best setup for a motorcycle. I pulled my dead Shorai and replaced it with a nice Odyssey, opinions will vary i am sure

[BadToTheBown]

I have them in all of my bikes now. I use the 18 case Shorai for my R1150S bikes. My only recommendation is that you also use their charger to initially charge it and then at least once a month to charge it. It's the only way to get all the cells top off correctly.

[BikerMiker]

Originally Posted by BadToTheBown

I have them in all of my bikes now. I use the 18 case Shorai for my R1150S bikes. My only recommendation is that you also use their charger to initially charge it and then at least once a month to charge it. It's the only way to get all the cells top off correctly.

What do you mean top off? Do they require an occasional top off that the bike can't provide?

[BadToTheBown]

Kinda. If I understand this, when our bikes charge up these batteries, our bikes stop charging them them when the battery hits its charge voltage. However, that doesn't mean all the cells are topped off. Some fully charge before others and those get the battery to its voltage before the lower one, or ones, finishes. Repeat this process and they stay down (charge memory?). So, they recommend you charge it with their charger at least once a month to catch these lower cells up to the others.

For my first battery I did not have the charger and just let the bike do it. Now that I have the charger and tried to use it, my battery will not fully charge on all cells but is still plenty adequate to start the bike. The lights on the charger do indicate a problem with low cells, so the damage is done. On my other bike that started on the charger, it charges up and cranks my 13:1s without hesitation. Strong battery.

I've read that they are not good in the cold. Most recommend you turn the key on and put some load on the battery for several seconds before cranking and they are fine.

[BikerMiker]

Yeah.... I have two of them.... I should read up on it. Thanks for the info.

[AZ-J]

My Shorai is still working after 2-3 years! I charge mine all summer (it's 115 today).

[shreddr]

Mine worked fine for 30 months and was stone dead at 32, go figure.


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[anotheroldrider]

I'm a fan of the lithium batteries, too - I have a Turntech (made by Joe Turner of KTMtalk - sadly, no longer available) in both my R1200S and in my 500XCW. Both have performed flawlessly for 4 years. I had the smaller one in a KTM 525 for a year or so before I moved it over to the 500 when the original failed. I use a Battery Tender Jr to charge mine, and only put it on the charger if it sits unused for several months.