[Riderjeff]

Have you seen these (Shorai SFX...):
Motowheels - Quality Motorcyle Parts and Products

I've been tempted to try the A123 route but my stock battery has lasted since new (07/06). These new batteries from Motowheels seem to have it all: low weight + high CCA + drop-in ease. And not too much $$ for all that...

Anybody else tried one or know anything else about them?

(fwiw I have no affiliation with Motowheels...)

 

[SPORT_CLASSIC_SPECIALTIES]

If weight is a issue then this type of aftermarket batteries will do well
But
I have had the stock Yuasa in for over 4 years and it has been performing just fine. I have always plugged the bike in to a Battery tender.
Infact recently i put a fresh Yuasa in just to be on the safe side. Replacing a battery at 4 or 5 years is prudent. The old battery is now a utility battery and I keep that on a charger as well.

I believe the A123 type does not need or should not be put on a trickle charger.
Anyway
The prices are good and I saw this Shorai at the IMS last week.
Very light and even comes with padding shims. Pretty cool.
These are so new I doubt anyone has had it for more them 6 months at this point.
I'd give it a try if I needed to replace a battery soon.

JC

Have you seen these (Shorai SFX...):
Motowheels - Quality Motorcyle Parts and Products

I've been tempted to try the A123 route but my stock battery has lasted since new (07/06). These new batteries from Motowheels seem to have it all: low weight + high CCA + drop-in ease. And not too much $$ for all that...

Anybody else tried one or know anything else about them?

(fwiw I have no affiliation with Motowheels...)

 

[magista]

Seeing as my battery maybe toast I might have to pick one of these up...only if it will fit under the seat.

 

[ducSculptor]

These are so new I doubt anyone has had it for more them 6 months at this point.

I'm not sure about this particular pack, but LiFePo cells do work. I'm over a year with my A123 pack (assembled myself) and it works great. It's started every time and I've had no issues with it.

 

[moto]

Have you seen these (Shorai SFX...):
Motowheels - Quality Motorcyle Parts and Products

I've been tempted to try the A123 route but my stock battery has lasted since new (07/06). These new batteries from Motowheels seem to have it all: low weight + high CCA + drop-in ease. And not too much $$ for all that...

Anybody else tried one or know anything else about them?

(fwiw I have no affiliation with Motowheels...)

The Shorai batteries don't use the A123 cylindrical cells like allthe other LiFePo batteries on the market. They are the first to use the prismatic LiFePo cells which are supposed to be lighter, more amp hours and more durable. We are testing it on our own bikes so we have first hand experience--but the company has been using these batteries in aviation and submarine applications for 9 years - so they have been subject to some extreme testing already.

We've been using light weight batteries in all of our project bikes in the last 12 years. We've used the Yuasa YTZ7S, Odyessy PC310, Speedcell and many of the A123 copy cats. We've had the most success so far with the Speedcell batteries but I think Shorai has addressed many of the weaknesses of the A123 type battery with their new design.

-M

 

[Riderjeff]

Seeing as my battery maybe toast I might have to pick one of these up...only if it will fit under the seat.

Check the specific dimensions in the individual product descriptions. They'e about 2" deep and appx. 5.5" wide. That'd be cool if they'll fit onto a seat pan! If you're going to measure, please post?

 

[dmartland]

Has anyone who has put the speed cell in and relcted the rectifier under the seat had any problems with the rectifier getting wet and shorting? Also anything specific problems with the speedcell betteries? How long do they last?

 

[magista]

Check the specific dimensions in the individual product descriptions. They'e about 2" deep and appx. 5.5" wide. That'd be cool if they'll fit onto a seat pan! If you're going to measure, please post?

5.86" x 2.60" x 4.13"

I'll measure tomorrow and post the results. It'd be great if it fit in the pan.

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Has anyone ... relocated the rectifier under the seat had any problems with the rectifier getting wet and shorting?...

The R/R is a sealed unit, generally encapsulated in epoxy. Under the seat is fine. It won't short out.

 

[dmartland]

Thanks, when I was having all my problems with mine last spring I asked the dealer about relocating it and they said they would not do that because of shorting. But I have wanted to relocate it and put the speedcell in. Dose the speedcell go on a tender or just need to be replaced in the spring? How does that work?

 

[magista]

Thanks, when I was having all my problems with mine last spring I asked the dealer about relocating it and they said they would not do that because of shorting.

Relocating the R/R? If so the dealer is incorrect and was just telling you this because they are a) lazy b) unwilling to make modifications that are not stock c) have no idea what they are talking about d) all of the above.

Relocate your R/R.

 

[magus]

Has anyone who has put the speed cell in and relcted the rectifier under the seat had any problems with the rectifier getting wet and shorting? Also anything specific problems with the speedcell betteries? How long do they last?

I'll be there soon I hope. I have been staring at the Speedcell battery for a while waiting for the MOSFET r/r to arrive. I am going to replace the cables with the Motolectric kit as well and put it all together. I'm not worried about the r/r being under the tail.

 

[moto]

Thanks, when I was having all my problems with mine last spring I asked the dealer about relocating it and they said they would not do that because of shorting. But I have wanted to relocate it and put the speedcell in. Dose the speedcell go on a tender or just need to be replaced in the spring? How does that work?

I don't put my Speedcell on a tender. Unless your bike has a draw on it from an alarm or something else it should be fine with out a tender. Both the Shorai and Speedcell lose only 1% per month while traditional batteries lose 10% or more per month.

When I charge the batteries, I use a 6amp charger or more.

Pictures of our Sport Classic Battery relocation kit installed on our project bike using a Speedcell battery.

We should make one using a Shorai...it would be less money than the speedcell.

We received a smaller version of the Shorai Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Battery LFX14A1-BS12. It is about the size of the Speedcell SBK. If you are interested, contact Ed at [email protected] . It is not on the website yet. He can give you the dimensions.

-M

 

[Hoppy]

How about these batteries -

www.harris-performance.com/website/...Lightweight_Lithium_Motorcycle_Batteries.html

lightweight batteries for race bikes, track motorcycles and karts

 

[Antigrav]

How about these batteries -

www.harris-performance.com/website/...Lightweight_Lithium_Motorcycle_Batteries.html

lightweight batteries for race bikes, track motorcycles and karts

Well darn how about one of these.... Bet I could get it to you quicker than Harris too

Actually I really dig the case of the Shorai... they are offering a reasonable alternative in a nice package that will suit many... But Shorai uses a Lifepo4 Prismatic Cell which they tout as something new, when it actually isn't and doesn't have near the power (Cold Cranking Amp, or reputation, or testing of the A123 Systems Lifepo4 cell we build our batteries with.

But for shear starting stregnth, small compact size and tried and tested cells the A123 systems is still the leader. But for a less expensive reasonable and good looking package the Shorai may do the trick... I have not tested them yet and may carry them someday. But for now we stick only with the tried and true performer. Shift-Tech carries us as well and they are on this board.

Check us out at lightweight motorcycle batteries,<meta http-equiv="Description" content="light weight motorcycle batteries,e-batt, ebatt lifepo4 batteries, a123 batteries, race batteries," />Lifepo4 motorcycle batteries,a123 batteries,

Our batteries were in 12 bikes in the Australian Safari 2010 , no problems. We are in multiple race teams bikes here in Calif and moving abroad quickly. We are working on a couple specific Total Loss system for a race bikes which will allow riders interested in this type of system to contact us for very accurate data on how the A123 perform under specific amp loads using specific performance part... We also build custom Batteries for 16v drag bikes, and race cars, and are being used on the JDR Motosport Supercross team this year in the KTM 350. So what does this matter? It just shows we are a dedicated serious company regarding lightweight batteries who know their business.


Here is 3 of our 4 standard sizes and retail boxes...

Here are the big hitters, in a compact size the 12 cell and 16 cell Antigravity Batteries. 360 Cranking Amps and 480 Cranking amps in a package 4" x 3.5" x 2.6" deep

Here is the typical Ducati Battery next to our 8 cell

 

[Kookz]

I don't quite see the point of going to a LiFePo4 battery in the stock location. The best part about them is their size, and the fact that they can go under the seat.

Yes, they start great when warm and have great cranking power (my bike doesn't like to stay running when cold, but it will start it right away 5 or 6 times in the first minute or two, even after sitting for 2 months), but that comes at the tradeoff of not starting when cold. If you leave the lights on for 5 minutes, that will generally do the trick but you don't get too many shots at it when it's below 40 degrees.

However, with quick disconnects and located under the seat, I can pop the battery off the bike in about 15 seconds, and take it with me in my jacket or helmet, which solves the problem. Can't do that with one of these guys, so you're left with hoping/running lights when it's cold out.

 

[Ducoddy-SS]

Batteries

WOW!
I have been using different Lithium blend batts in my Giant Scale Aerobatic Model Airplanes for a few years now...they use special chargers and dont like to be overcharged or discharged too low either.
These new style cells look very promising.Small package with great power density.
What is the failure mode??
Mike S

 

[Antigrav]

WOW!
I have been using different Lithium blend batts in my Giant Scale Aerobatic Model Airplanes for a few years now...they use special chargers and dont like to be overcharged or discharged too low either.
These new style cells look very promising.Small package with great power density.
What is the failure mode??
Mike S

Well the smart chargers work fine, not the trickle chargers... don't use a trickle charger. As far as the uses... in motorcycles they are not being fully discharged as they are in the hobby world which is a fast charge then discharge... And yes the cells will get damaged if drain down to 2v... but that is actually the same as Lead and most people don't realize that the reason they have to keep there battery on a Tender even after a week is because the Lead cell was damaged.

As far as the failure rate it is very slim and is completely dependent on whether the bike has an active drain that is allowed to take the battery down to nothing while the owner isn't riding, or whether the owner makes a mistake and leave the ignition on over night, or over charges the battery... but in either case it is not the Lead or Lithiums batteries fault... But Lead is much more prone to damage with vibration, hot weather ect which most riders don't realize. It effects the cells within them which are thin plates that can become sulfated, or the thin plates metals can be damaged. But there are some good leads like Oddesy.

 

[magus]

You can check the state of a LiFePo as you would a lead acid battery, correct? I don't have anything on the bike that I think would be a constant draw but would like to know where my LiFePo is at every now and then.

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Isn't the anit-theft system (immobilizer?) always on? That would be a small drain.