Lightweight battery?

8231 Views 35 Replies 16 Participants Last post by CheetahTurbo, Jun 19, 2018

JohnC

Discussion Starter · Nov 13, 2014

Looks like I need to replace the battery on my 2012, and am considering a Shorai Lithium battery. Anyone have experience with these? They don't list one specifically for our bike, but they have a detailed spec sheet and I'm pretty sure I could figure out which one to use.

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JohnC

Discussion Starter · #2 · Nov 13, 2014

And apparently for my 2012 non ABS model, they recommend:

Shorai Duration Rec LFX18A1-BS12
Shorai Standard Rec LFX14A4-BS12

They recommend the Duration model if you have accessories, which I don't.

rcannon409

· #3 · Nov 13, 2014

I've had mine fo rtwo years, and its awesome. No problems at all.

In cold weather, you do have to sort-of warm it up. At first, it acts dead. Once you hit the starter a time or two, no problem.

Mikey1000

· #4 · Nov 14, 2014

Transferred a Shorai from a Honda to my N1K before I traded the Honda in. Much improved CCA's. Was recommended to pay attention to type of battery charger to use with the Shorai. Not to use any type which has a de-sulfation circuit as that could damage it.. Both Opti-Mate & Deltran now make chargers specifically for Li batteries. Of course Shorai make a charger also. I also have an Earth-X lithium in my FZ1, American made with different chemistry than the Shorai.

rcannon409

· #5 · Nov 14, 2014

The winter care for the Shorai, is awesome. Just leave it alone.

Oh, my favorite part? This battery, fi it has any energy left, will work. I left mine in park position, for 10 hours. It had to be low, but instead of a problem, the bike fired right up.

Reactions: 1

rcannon409

· #6 · Nov 14, 2014

rcannon409 said:
The winter care for the Shorai, is awesome. Just leave it alone.

Oh, my favorite part? This battery, fi it has any energy left, will work. I left mine in park position, for 10 hours. It had to be low, but instead of a problem, the bike fired right up.

Oh, and the size, and weight difference between that 14 and 18 model was basically nothing. I think the 18 was morroe costly, though.

Mikey1000

· #7 · Nov 16, 2014

Another recommendation if you go to Shorai. Install the foam to the battery not the battery box so the battery is easier to replace should you sell the bike & want to keep the Li battery.

Norskie

· #8 · Nov 17, 2014

We've had a Shorai on our SV650 for a few years. They are quality batteries, but I'm not sure they are appropriate for cold climates. When it gets down into the 50's we have to warm it up (i.e. leave headlights on) for about five minutes before it will start the bike.

My next battery will probably be an AGM.

Chrispy

· #9 · Nov 17, 2014

Norskie said:
We've had a Shorai on our SV650 for a few years. They are quality batteries, but I'm not sure they are appropriate for cold climates. When it gets down into the 50's we have to warm it up (i.e. leave headlights on) for about five minutes before it will start the bike.

My next battery will probably be an AGM.

I agree. I had an AntiGravity battery in my WR250X and while it always started the bike, it didn't turn over as nice as I would like when it was cold out, even after warming it up. Prices being equal, I'll take a top of the line Yuasa first......

Warprints

· #10 · Nov 17, 2014

I have s Shorai in my 2014 and it has given me no problems --- I live in South Louisiana, so cold isn't usually an issue.

rcannon409

· #11 · Nov 21, 2014

Even at zero degrees, my Shorai works. It just takes a few seconds to preheat.

Advantage is the space it frees up is enough to carry a small tire repair kit and slime compressor.

JohnC

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 22, 2014

Yeah, I'm in Georgia, so cold weather is kind of a non-issue. I went ahead and picked up the Shorai, loving the "drop in and go." Probably going to pick up their charger, too, as I've had problems with the Deltran units in the past. (I had two Battery Tender Juniors actually melt down.)

rcannon409

· #13 · Dec 6, 2014

John, I think/wonder if the magic with the Shorai type is not getting the charger. These are not normal batteries and mine has been awesome with just "leavign it alone" in the bike.

They like being left at 80% charge level, and will last in that state a long time. Way longer thna a few months. Unless your bike has a constant draw, why trickle charge?

JohnC

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 9, 2014

Interesting idea, rcannon409. I actually haven't gone ahead and bought the charger, and I've been riding as often as I can here in Georgia winter, so I'm definitely averaging more than the twice per month that they recommend for upkeep. I may just let it alone.

Mikey1000

· #15 · Dec 16, 2014

My N1K with a Shorai installed has sat in Florida since I left at end of April. Leaving right after Xmas to go down there for another 4 months. I've a lithium specific charger down there but I'm going to see if bike will start without it. 8 months without starting should be quite the test & I'll post up the results.

JohnC

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 17, 2014

Oh, I'm definitely curious about that one.

rcannon409

· #17 · Dec 17, 2014

Mikey, guarantee it will start unless you left some sort of drain on it.

Mine Shorai went for four months and starter below zero. I had to leave the turn signal on, for five minutes, to warm the battery bu tit fired right up.

These batteries are amazing, really.

starkus

· #18 · Dec 26, 2014

My Shorai battery was completely discharged because I left an accessory switched on. Had to throw it away since they cannot be recharged. Shorai to covered me a replacement discount though.

Mikey1000

· #19 · Dec 28, 2014

Just got to Florida where my N1K sat for 8 months with Shorai, unstarted. I was going to charge it but mentioned eariler I was going to see if it would start without a charge. Instant start, huzzah !!!! My Harley riding buddies were duly impressed. Bike was covered but nothing done to maintain battery. I'm very pleased.

rcannon409

· #20 · Dec 28, 2014

Mikey, I think thats the way we need to treat them. Everyone, myself included, is so conditioned to have to hook up a charger ...heck, Shorai even sells one...... because we "have to"" because we always "had to". I started my bike today at 15 degrees, I had to leave a turn signal on for two minutes to warm it up, but otherwise, no problem.

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