Battery Kaput!

Seems that most folk go for either a Yuasa or a Motobatt. My bike is currently using a Motobatt which, after almost 2 years of intermittent use, is holding up very well.

 

Try outside the box, go for a "Lithium" I have one in my America, it holds much more charge for much longer and lose 3/4 of the weight of lead acid ! Costs bit more but should last the life of your bike !!

 

I recently replaced my battery. Couldn't really find that much info on lithium and gel batteries so replaced it with the stock Yausa.
Whilst these batteries seem to offer advantages other the usual stock batteries I like to know how to look after them.
No battery is maintainer free really at the end of the day and if neglected or abused any battery will die on you

 

Lithium is as close as you'll get to maintenance free ! As they are maintenance Free !!! No liquids internally, you just need to keep it within it's comfort zone temperature wise. The most important thing is to Fully charge it before first use.

 

Yes but for those of us that know nothing of Lithium motorbike batteries more information would be good. I rarely make a purchase on something like that without gaining knowledge about it first.
Such as good makes , chargers needed - are my present chargers suitable etc.
Despite extensive web searching and asking on here I decided there was not enough info to go that way.
Some one just saying go Lithium or Gel without saying why it's better isn't much use IMV.
I don't doubt there are better batteries available for my bike but unless I'm making an informed choice I would stick with what I know works

 

I looked into the lithium batteries after conversing with Capt.
As he says they are slightly smaller and lighter and do hold the charge better.
However they are approximately 4 times the cost of a standard 'Yuasa' or similar.
So you do have to weigh it all up carefully.
How long will the Lithium battery last ?
Am I going to be changing my bike and will the battery transfer ?
Standard battery at £50 may last 4-5 years if looked after.
My opinion for what its worth is that they are bloody expensive, but if it saves you from being stranded just once in some remote place ?
Personally, I am going to wait for the price to drop, if it doesnt I will stick with Yuasa.

 

That's why I went with the standard as well. But that was only after doing a fair bit of reading up.
Also not all battery chargers are suitable for the Lithium ones.
So you may need a new charger on top of that as well.
Information about Gel ones is even more sparse. So whilst there are benefits it may not be appropriate at present for the individual.
Sadly the info I found I didn't keep the bookmarks for. Just recently cleared my browsing history too

 

I keep my Motorcycles for a few years. This one now into its 9th year. You get sick of replacing tyres,chains & batteries!! If I had put Lithium battery in when I bought this bike from new I wouldn't be on 3rd battery now ! This Lithium battery cost me just under 3 times as much as new lead acid. This battery is 1/3 to 1/2 std size. 1/4 the weight and nearly double the cranking capacity, I had starting issues recently neutral switch I can wind motor over for 30seconds or more several times if necessary to start bike. With Australia being so big it's a big benefit to have a reliable bike.

Cheers capt.

 

I know that feeling there's always something. Thankfully we aren't too big here but very few places keep anything in stock nowadays.
If ordering parts there's always a waiting time, even for the simplest things such as chains.
As to this particular bike it's on its second battery now since being built but had done very little in the way of mileage.
So 6 years is not bad in one respect but considering the low mileage is terrible. As to weight once I add the spots definately going to be heavier yet again

 

I looked into the lithium batteries after conversing with Capt.
As he says they are slightly smaller and lighter and do hold the charge better.
However they are approximately 4 times the cost of a standard 'Yuasa' or similar.
So you do have to weigh it all up carefully.
How long will the Lithium battery last ?
Am I going to be changing my bike and will the battery transfer ?
Standard battery at £50 may last 4-5 years if looked after.
My opinion for what its worth is that they are bloody expensive, but if it saves you from being stranded just once in some remote place ?
Personally, I am going to wait for the price to drop, if it doesnt I will stick with Yuasa.

Hi Capt.
I can see exactly why you would feel safer with the mileages you are clocking up, many in remote areas and also the weight saving benefit.
But currently at £200.99 with 3 years guarantee as a 'careful' Yorkshireman I cannot bring myself to spend that much on a battery.
They should drop in price if demand picks up.
Thanks for the info. it has been useful.

 

Were you happy with the service life of your previous batterey (yuasa)?
If so just replace like for like. If not then look into more expensive options.

 

With space so tight on the '16+ Speed Triple, a smaller battery would free up an area to put additional electrics
I installed a Denali Sound Bomb (Split system) and the wiring kit for it needs space for a fuse and solenoid. I managed to squeez mine in just in front of the battery, but it is very tight.

At the moment, if I stall my bike while it is hot, it takes a while for the battery to recover charge and be able to start it up again, anything up to 25 seconds! I wonder if a lithium battery would avoid this issue

 

Yup ! Fully charged my lithium battery would run everything that a lead acid battery with charging system operational, for hours upon hours without charging system running !! There's about 30 starts in my battery ! I can crank it over for 10/20 seconds @ a time !