To lithium or not to lithium...

[freeclimbmtb]

I need a battery, a night off the tender and it won't start the next morning, I was able to limp through last year but it's time.

So, I've heard conflicting things about the lithium batteries, that you need a special lithium tender ($40 from battery tender...not a huge deal), but then I have a friend that says he cant start his race bike under 40 degrees F.  Obviously there is a substantial weight savings, but this is my daily bike...not a track bike, so is it really worth the hassle? 

[NAKID]

I need a battery, a night off the tender and it won't start the next morning, I was able to limp through last year but it's time.

So, I've heard conflicting things about the lithium batteries, that you need a special lithium tender ($40 from battery tender...not a huge deal), but then I have a friend that says he cant start his race bike under 40 degrees F.  Obviously there is a substantial weight savings, but this is my daily bike...not a track bike, so is it really worth the hassle? 

I guess it depends on how often you ride. Had the Shorai on my last bike for two years. Rode almost every day but there was a time I didn't ride for six weeks. Never used a tender, never had an issue.

[freeclimbmtb]

I guess it depends on how often you ride. Had the Shorai on my last bike for two years. Rode almost every day but there was a time I didn't ride for six weeks. Never used a tender, never had an issue.

So in a good summer, I ride say 4 out of 5 days a week and then where ever I go on the weekends.  The season lasts from late March to late October here, some times longer.  I always keep the bike on stands and the battery on the tender in the winter months. My garage is insulated, but not heated...so temps down below freezing are common in the colder months. If I need to, I guess I can always pull the battery and keep it on the tender in the warmer part of the house...

[NAKID]

So in a good summer, I ride say 4 out of 5 days a week and then where ever I go on the weekends.  The season lasts from late March to late October here, some times longer.  I always keep the bike on stands and the battery on the tender in the winter months. My garage is insulated, but not heated...so temps down below freezing are common in the colder months. If I need to, I guess I can always pull the battery and keep it on the tender in the warmer part of the house...

I wouldn't be able to speak to that. My riding season lasts from early January to late December 

[koko64]

I have had good expriences with Shorai batteries. They need to work to warm up in the cold, so they crank stronger each attempt to start. Opposite pattern to a normal type battery. I did buy the Shorai charger. I have not tried other Li batteries but have dealt with a few cheaper brands.

[Howie]

I have been accused of not being fond of Li-Fe batteries.  Truth is I like the batteries, particularly for a track bike or canyon carver, not so much for a tourer or commuter.  The reason is they don't like dropping below about 12.8 volts which can happen when riding low speed in city traffic.  Also, there is no approved method to test the battery youself.  What Koko says is correct.  On a cold day, turn the key, hit the button and...  headlight on for about 30 seconds, hit the button...vroom.

If maximum weight reduction is not a major criteria, you might want to consider EarthX   http://earthxmotorsports.com  because the balancing circuit is in the battery, no special charger needed.  Both Shorai  shoraipower.com and EarthX have a wealth of information on their website to help you make a decision.

[pchoiboi]

I would pass on the lithium battery if you live in NH, cause of the cold

Have a shorai myself but to be honest, i dont really notice a difference from the AGM i had before (other than the weight saving).

[BK_856er]

It's hard to appreciate the difference in weight.....until you pick up the box with the Li-Fe and it feels like an empty box....literally.  Now pick up a typical battery.  Now compute how much carbon fiber or titanium or ExLax it takes to equal that weight savings.  Track bike/canyon carver toy in mild climates - definitely Li-Fe.

BK

[Kopfjager]

Take a look at these. I'm running them in both bikes.

http://antigravitybatteries.com/

[koko64]

Very interesting Kopf. How do you rate them compared to the Shorai?

[Howie]

Take a look at these. I'm running them in both bikes.

http://antigravitybatteries.com/

I didn't know they are now making moto batteries.  How long have you been using them Kopf?

[Kopfjager]

I didn't know they are now making moto batteries.  How long have you been using them Kopf?

About 1yr.

[freeclimbmtb]

About 1yr.

What kind of climate?

Maybe ill get a cheapo replacement for now and then get a lithium when I move out west hopefully next year.

[Kopfjager]

What kind of climate?

Maybe ill get a cheapo replacement for now and then get a lithium when I move out west hopefully next year.

Alabama. Ridiculous heat in the summer, and it gets nasty cold in the winter for only a few months.

[Bergweiserus]

I wouldn't be able to speak to that. My riding season lasts from early January to late December  

Bwahaha.....nice one!  Mine is about a month shorter than yours due to heavy rains.  Poor us!  

I have the Ballistic EVO2 12-cell 'L' and it is awesome; strong firing up and weighs about 2 lb.  Never had a voltage drop due to riding in traffic, etc.  But it's also hot as heck here...def have to keep it on a tender if you're in a cold climate - which isn't a big deal because you just plug it in and walk away, you don't have to pull the battery out of the bike.  I love the Ballistic.

Probably wouldn't want one in a bike you're going to be out in the middle of nowhere though (IMO); I tend to prefer the reliability of an Odyssey battery for that application.   I've got the PC680 in my K12GT and I know for certain it's going to fire up every time.  Odyssey batts can take a HUGE amount of abuse and still perform perfectly when asked to.