Battery brand choices?

[Edbear]

Meh.... I'm not convinced that the advantages of LifePO4 batteries (which really only seem to be weight saving as far as anything tangible is concerned) are worth the extra expense unless you want something small, light & powerful for a race bike etc.
I'm sure the price will come down and the technology will improve further as time goes on, but I for one won't be rushing out to buy one (apologies Ed).
Some interesting reading on the subject here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-battery.htm

FWIW the original Yuasa sealed battery in my Ducati is now over 6 years old and still going strong.

Also, interesting that it's been touted that LifePO4 batteries are environmentally safe, yet as far as I am aware there is no recycling programme for them as there is with lead acid batteries (this is also mentioned in the above linked article) so where does this claim come from?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing them off, just think it's perhaps a little early to be ditching the proven and cost effective lead acid battery for something that is bloody expensive and doesn't offer any huge advantage over a properly cared for and maintained quality lead acid battery. (unless of course weight is an issue for you).

I'm sure there's plenty of folks who get all barred up over new technology and can't wait to use it, but I'll sit this one out for the meantime.

That's my 2 cents spent for the evening, as you were....

No-one would suggest rushing out and buying the latest technology without doing some research into it. Shorai are unique and different from other LifePo batteries and I suggest not ony reading their website, but also checking them out on Facebook.

I took them on after considerable research and communication, but it was still a gamble to actually bring in the first two for test purposes. A few KB'rs have them now and my shipment due this week is my largest order to date.

I am going to be sponsoring Shaun Harris and Johnny Long this year with two of the batteries coming in this week so it will be a good test of them. I have only had issues with one battery and it appears to be a simple matter of requiring the next size up and Shorai now recommend the bigger 18A instead of the 14A for the Speed Triple. For some reason my customer had a problem with his particular bike and Shorai were quick to offer advice and cover the 14A as a warranty claim.

This customer was pretty clued up and had done everything right in checking and testing the installation, so we're chalking it up to experience. The US is taking about as much as Shorai can produce and they have had to up their production and are now shipping from two locations. One customer who's battery is arriving this week has just spent time in Canada and checked them out while there. He was impressed and is looking forward to receiving his with more sales likely if he is satisfied.

[Kiwi Carguy]

All interesting stuff.... so Ed how much for one for the XB12R?

[doc]

Motobat $120. Yuasa $340. The decision was easy got them in all 3 bikes. The terminals are better on the sporty too, never vibrated loose yet. Well maybe once. But the Sth Island roads could do with a bit of maint. Aye

[FJRider]

Well maybe once. But the Sth Island roads could do with a bit of maint. Aye

It's all the heavy vehicles that use it ....

[Edbear]

All interesting stuff.... so Ed how much for one for the XB12R?

What year, mate? I have to put the year in before the model.

[Kiwi Carguy]

2008 thanks Ed

[Edbear]

2008 thanks Ed

LFX18A1-BS12 would be $279.00 (but should be $290.00) Cheers!

[cs363]

No-one would suggest rushing out and buying the latest technology without doing some research into it. Shorai are unique and different from other LifePo batteries and I suggest not ony reading their website, but also checking them out on Facebook.

I took them on after considerable research and communication, but it was still a gamble to actually bring in the first two for test purposes. A few KB'rs have them now and my shipment due this week is my largest order to date.

I am going to be sponsoring Shaun Harris and Johnny Long this year with two of the batteries coming in this week so it will be a good test of them. I have only had issues with one battery and it appears to be a simple matter of requiring the next size up and Shorai now recommend the bigger 18A instead of the 14A for the Speed Triple. For some reason my customer had a problem with his particular bike and Shorai were quick to offer advice and cover the 14A as a warranty claim.

This customer was pretty clued up and had done everything right in checking and testing the installation, so we're chalking it up to experience. The US is taking about as much as Shorai can produce and they have had to up their production and are now shipping from two locations. One customer who's battery is arriving this week has just spent time in Canada and checked them out while there. He was impressed and is looking forward to receiving his with more sales likely if he is satisfied.

Yeah, as I said - not having a go at you or the Shorai product, though I would take any information supplied by the manufacturer themselves with a pinch of salt as after all, they are trying to sell them, so independent information is of more worth to me.
I can certainly see huge advantages for the racing fraternity, and I certainly can't see anyone having problems with them for road use. However, when you can get similar or better life out of a quality lead acid battery I just don't personally see any advantage for road use, especially when the cost is factored in.
It's obviously an 'each to their own' call at this stage of the game, I'll consider using them when the price comes down to closer to a top end lead acid battery.

[Edbear]

Yeah, as I said - not having a go at you or the Shorai product, though I would take any information supplied by the manufacturer themselves with a pinch of salt as after all, they are trying to sell them, so independent information is of more worth to me.
I can certainly see huge advantages for the racing fraternity, and I certainly can't see anyone having problems with them for road use. However, when you can get similar or better life out of a quality lead acid battery I just don't personally see any advantage for road use, especially when the cost is factored in.
It's obviously an 'each to their own' call at this stage of the game, I'll consider using them when the price comes down to closer to a top end lead acid battery.

I agree about the racing scene, for sure, but even for road use, the advantages, especially if they prove to last several times longer, make them much cheaper in the long run. I can't see the price coming down much unless the US defaults and the USD goes down the toilet. Then the exchange rate will only be better for us!

[bogan]

However, when you can get similar or better life out of a quality lead acid battery I just don't personally see any advantage for road use, especially when the cost is factored in.

Which bring up another point, even shitty brand batteries can go for ages if they are taken care of, but if you have a habbit of leaving lights on, or a bike that requires a lot of turning over to start, you will rip through cheap batteries, expensive lead acids will have a higher turnover as well. While LiFePO4 is less likely to take damage from the same high discharge use. And their higher cranking speed and voltage make bikes easier to cold start too.

Only time will tell for whom they last longer. But right now they stack up better on every other point except price (which is potnetially cheaper in the long run anyway). Incidentally, you could also fit a bacon sandwich in the space saved by going with the shorai option (in my case anyway).

[The Lone Rider]

I'm using Yuasa in my daily and motobatt in my chopper.

No problems over the years with either.

[Edbear]

I'm using Yuasa in my daily and motobatt in my chopper.

No problems over the years with either.

My Boulevard is still on it's original battery and no issues there either. But when you are due for a replacement, taking the advantages of the Shorai, especially the expected life, the price becomes better value, read cheaper. The other advantages of weight, better cranking performance/cold starting and environmental safety may appeal to some and not to others.

[DEATH_INC.]

Yeah, as I said - not having a go at you or the Shorai product, though I would take any information supplied by the manufacturer themselves with a pinch of salt as after all, they are trying to sell them, so independent information is of more worth to me.
I can certainly see huge advantages for the racing fraternity, and I certainly can't see anyone having problems with them for road use. However, when you can get similar or better life out of a quality lead acid battery I just don't personally see any advantage for road use, especially when the cost is factored in.
It's obviously an 'each to their own' call at this stage of the game, I'll consider using them when the price comes down to closer to a top end lead acid battery.

Even on the street you will benefit from the substantial weight saving. I could feel the difference when I put one in the 10. You get better acceleration, handling and braking. Not much else will do that. And you can keep eating those pies

And I'll repeat again, I've spent way more for way less weight savings.

[Edbear]

Even on the street you will benefit from the substantial weight saving. I could feel the difference when I put one in the 10. You get better acceleration, handling and braking. Not much else will do that. And you can keep eating those pies

And I'll repeat again, I've spent way more for way less weight savings.

Actually, when you consider how much effort the manufactuers put in to save a few grams here and there, in one foul swoop, you can save about 3 - 4kg! I'm really struggling to lose 3kg right now... Damn, it's lunch time again...