Hey everyone. I was hoping for a quick bit of input from folks regarding lithium batteries. I've read the couple posts that come up on here but have a slight concern after reading the article from this month's MCNEWS found at the following link.

Motorcycle Consumer News - April 2015

I'm a college student with a short (~2.5mi) ride to campus each day through town on my 93 F2. I just want to make sure that I make the right battery choice. I'm leaning towards a Shorai, but again, would really appreciate some input.

Thanks,
Mark

 

No one? No words of wisdom or experience?

 

Can't really read that on my phone so.... Why do you think you need a lithium? I'm the same as you, my last $50 battery last me five years so I put in another one. I dint need to save a couple pounds at the large increase in price and there's a lot of conflicting information out on li ions. There doesn't seem to be any good reason to take a chance.

 

I'm with you on the negligible weight savings. I'm a commuter, not a track rider, so the couple pounds isn't a huge issue to me. The biggest appeal to me with the lithiums are their ability to sit for months at a time without starting and not have any loss, and their supposed longer life.

I got about 5 years also out of a Yuasa and then replaced it with another 18 months ago. Since then that battery has developed a habit of running down over the course of 48 hours. While I finish school I'm in an apartment and don't have the benefit of outlets near my bike to run a tender on. So, if the cranking power is there and the life is as good as reported, the lithiums are pretty appealing.

I'm just trying to find out if anyone on here is running them with their CBRs and what their opinions have been.

 

My first thoughts are 1. Bad battery/cell or 2. Something creating a parasitic drain on the system.

 

I am using Shorai in my bikes and so far love them. It gets to -20°F many winter nights and I don't have to worry about a half charged battery freezing, I don't have to worry about tending it either. In the spring I give them a charge and they spin the engine faster them a lead/acid battery. They are twice the money as a normal battery but last twice as long so the cost is a wash.

If you battery is discharging, it could be a sign of a bad battery or your R/R needs to be replaced. Disconnect one lead from the battery and see if it still drains down. If it stays up, the R/R needs to be replaced.

 

Thanks for the advice on tracing down the draw. About a week ago I did exactly that, removed my battery, recharged it, and let it sit on the work bench for a few days. I measured the voltage twice a day and watched as it continued to drop. After sitting for 4 days I reconnected it to the bike. It had enough juice to crank it up once, but after shutting off the bike it didn't have enough to get it over again.

Incompatible - I think you're right. My test makes me believe it's a bad cell in the battery too.
TimBucTwo - I appreciate your input. I think that I'll go ahead and give it a go.

Thanks again for the help, guys.

 

Lithium battery has much more cranking currency. I had to change to stock Yuasa battery to Shorai when i rebuilt my 954:s motor with high comp pistons etc. Stock battery had some difficulties spinning it when it was warm 😁

 

I'll give it that and when cold.

 

Two weeks on the new battery and everything seems to be good. I need to let it sit for a few days unridden to really test it, but again, everything feels and sounds good thus far.

Thanks again for the input, folks. It's really appreciated.