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Li vs Lead

1979 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by MatthewPowerPlug, 2 mo ago

Goosey

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

I'm due for a new battery on my '21, and since the '23 has a Li battery standard I was wondering if its worth getting it vs. the lead acid. Handling wise esp with the weight being up high, can you notice a difference? Does the Li battery fit in the existing tray or do parts need to be swapped?

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Ricko

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Surprising you need a battery after 2 years, yuasa generally lives 5-7 years.

Lithium are generally smaller for similar capacity, need some foam to fit them.

Don't expect to feel it in handling.

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NeiGongPadawan

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Li bats are way better, hands down. They don't discharge in Winter if you remove the negative. Worth the extra money.
Only thing to know, they need sometimes a bit of time to activate (30 seconds) with the lights on.

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JACKIE TREEHORN

· #4 · 2 mo ago

The value is moreso in the awesome starting power for me, along with holding a charge way better. EarthX is my brand. Great batteries, going on 5 years with mine.

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fastrob691

· #5 · 2 mo ago

Handling, it's only about 3-4 pounds max, I do lithium on all my bikes, but i cant say i'll notice that weight alone. I've take a ton off though which does effect the whole package. I've pulled over 40 pounds off. Mostly subtle but when gets wheel it around off the stand, vs bone stock they're blown away.

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Goosey

Discussion Starter · #6 · 2 mo ago

Ricko said:
Surprising you need a battery after 2 years, yuasa generally lives 5-7 years.

Lithium are generally smaller for similar capacity, need some foam to fit them.

Don't expect to feel it in handling.

My fault. The tender plug was not connected properly. It discharged completely over the winter. Now I'm getting a recharge error.

Thanks everyone for the info. If I understand this correctly, all the Li case options are smaller and may require some packing material in the existing compartment? Assuming the '23 OE Li is smaller, does anyone know if it has a different compartment, and if it can be retrofitted?

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NeiGongPadawan

· #7 · 2 mo ago

Don't overthink it. Find a battery maker. Find the correct model. It comes with foam and stickers. Buy it. Install it. Et voilà.

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todcp

· #8 · 2 mo ago

Most or all Lithium batteries come with material to pack around the battery. I like the extra volts the Li batteries have. Mine is 13.45 volts. For me I don't even need to put it on a trickle charger as it holds charge much better than a regular battery. (my bikes don't draw current when turned off)

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StealthAu

· #9 · 2 mo ago

I wouldn't get a lithium for the weight saving.
I use them as I own too many bikes and can't be stuffed having them on trickle chargers when not in use. As a result, lead acid batteries are lucky to last a year or two for me, whereas my lithium batteries are still going strong after 5 years.

If you only own one bike and ride it regularly or don't mind keeping it on a trickle charger, lead acid options will do you fine.

If you do want to get lithium, avoid lithium-ion. When shit goes wrong with them, they can combust. Stick with LiFePO4 as they are a much safer chemistry.

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dagdag

· #10 · 2 mo ago

I replaced my 2021 standard battery with a direct replacement from Antigravity which slots perfectly no need for any foam, perfect fit.

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MatthewPowerPlug

· #11 · 2 mo ago

I had the same problem with killing my "young" stock Yuasa YT7B-BS battery from my 2020 Panigale V2. I let it still (not connected to bike) without keeping it on a tender (even though I know better) and it was dead between 2021 and 2022.

Over this winter, I had my Lithium battery in the bike (inside/heated) for 5 months this winter and it was fine with out a tender even though it was connected to bike and flashing security light on dash (at least at first, not sure if it times out and stops flashing after some number of days). Li batteries are good to sit for long periods at 70-90% charge. Lead batteries don't like to sit without maintenance.

I bought what was a cheaper $118.95 Fire Power 490-2507 (HJT9B-FP-IL) battery by looking up YT7B-BS in cross reference and it physically fit fine without foam (slight angle issue connecting leads from bike), saved URL from 2021:
Featherweight Lithium Battery

But apparently, they changed their offerings and increased their prices by a big chunk, the YT7B-BS now looks up as 490-2407 $176.95 on their current page:
Featherweight Lithium Battery

You can compare with Antigravity, as maybe they are a better option.

But the gotcha I want to point out with the Lithium battery. While at the track, sitting waiting to go out, I stopped the bike, but turned it back on without starting to play with the dash settings. After 5-10 minutes, the bike wouldn't start. And this is on a track bike with all the lights disconnected. After charging for a short time, the bike started up fine and haven't had a problem since (I make sure not to leave powered on for long without running).

Anyway, you have to weigh the options of Li not discharging fast during periods of not riding (and I guess being lighter) and being temperamental with draining quickly with a power draw, vs Lead needing battery tender when sitting, but having more reserve capacity with a power draw (and bike not running). I wouldn't consider the weight savings as the main reason to go with Li unless you are racing, but it doesn't hurt to have the bike lighter.

Matthew.

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