Shorai Power Lithium Batteries

[PhilSB]

My 3yr3mth old battery expired while out on a run, it wouldn't turn the engine over after parking. AA recovery jump started it after getting a "Replace battery" message on their tester.
Being away from home I eventually got an Exide replacement.
I thought the battery wasn't turning the engine over quite as brightly as previously, the dealer tested it in March and said it was OK.
Phil

[8b]

So the conclusion is to get an oddesy battery (2007 R1200R) ?
Where and how much?

[mogu83]

So the conclusion is to get an oddesy battery (2007 R1200R) ?
Where and how much?

That was my conclusion, and what I did.
As usual (and as it should be) this list doesn't come to a conclusion, it just puts all the pertinent info out there and it's up to you which way to go.

[red baron]

Hello Dountless:
I just received my Shorai LFX14A1-BS12. Unfortunately I already had recycled my Exide ETX14-BS therefore I donot have the dimennsion of this Battery. If you should have the dimension of this battery, please let me know.
Many thanks
Peter

[Dauntless]

Hello Dountless:
I just received my Shorai LFX14A1-BS12. Unfortunately I already had recycled my Exide ETX14-BS therefore I donot have the dimennsion of this Battery. If you should have the dimension of this battery, please let me know.
Many thanks
Peter

It is 5 13/16 " wide, 5 3/4" tall, 3 5/16" deep Hope that helps!

[J. Andrew]

Shorai really needs to come up with a different solution to filling the battery box than the smattering of shims they include. The entire box that came to me was smaller than my original battery, so I had to use every scrap of foam to get it in there snug, and the result was less than appealing, not to mention time consuming.
Maybe i'm just stupid and there was a solution that others have used that I didn't think of...

[oalvarez]

Maybe i'm just stupid and there was a solution that others have used that I didn't think of...

You're not. Some have attached the pads to the battery itself and others have used the pads to build the base and heavy-duty velcro to secure it down. Remember to account for the charger plug on the battery and the charging cables themselves (in terms of access).

[Lost Rider]

Shorai really needs to come up with a different solution to filling the battery box than the smattering of shims they include. The entire box that came to me was smaller than my original battery, so I had to use every scrap of foam to get it in there snug, and the result was less than appealing, not to mention time consuming.
Maybe i'm just stupid and there was a solution that others have used that I didn't think of...

What would you suggest then to make a single product that can be used in a wide variety of applications and is still price competitive?
Should they have a kit for every bike ever made with a custom mold to make it easier for you?
If you used all the included foam to get the battery in securely, it seems like that's the purpose of Shorai's design and it worked as intended.
As for appealing who cares, it's under the seat and once it's installed, in theory you shouldn't need to remove it for many years to come.


Reading through this thread it's funny to read all the various comments....
People here ride $14,000+ cutting edge design, top of the line motorbikes but would rather save about$70 and still have to connect their bike up to pricey battery tenders.... with old school batteries we all know will die again in a few years and need to be replaces yet again.... makes no sense to me.

[mogu83]

I think your mis-reading it Joe. To me it's not a matter of money it's a matter of reliability and I guess that's the case with most of the guys. Remember this thread started a year ago when the Shorai batteries were just coming on the scene. It looks like everyone seems to be happy with the product and the only glitch seems to be having to 'warm' the battery on a really cold day, but rumors persist of them having problems if charged too high, especially in hot weather. With a new Oddesy in the bike it will be a while till I go battery shopping, but when the time comes the Shorai will be on my short list.

BUT - one has to wonder. With the great efforts put forth by motorcycle manufactures to reduce the weight of the new bikes why none of them are equipped with a lithium type battery.

[dbrick]

BUT - one has to wonder. With the great efforts put forth by motorcycle manufactures to reduce the weight of the new bikes why none of them are equipped with a lithium type battery.

Probably because of their cost and less-than-stellar performance when cold.

[oalvarez]

. It looks like everyone seems to be happy with the product and the only glitch seems to be having to 'warm' the battery on a really cold day.....

That glitch you mention could lead to the non-initialization of the ABS module found on BMW bikes. That for me was enough to go back to the oem battery and nothing to do with cost. I am willing to give their 21a a try though.

[Lost Rider]

I think your mis-reading it Joe. To me it's not a matter of money it's a matter of reliability and I guess that's the case with most of the guys. Remember this thread started a year ago when the Shorai batteries were just coming on the scene.
BUT - one has to wonder. With the great efforts put forth by motorcycle manufactures to reduce the weight of the new bikes why none of them are equipped with a lithium type battery.

Well, maybe so.... To me, Lithium batteries are not by any means new technology and are very proven the world over for many years, as mentioned by tinytrains. Just about every small electronic gadget made in the last 7 years and cars like the Prius or Tesla's come to mind.....
Having to turn on the ignition for a minute or 3 before I start the bike on a very cold day for the first time is a small price to pay for the benefits IMO.
I've yet to see any reports of people stranded with a Shorai on ADV, and there's thousands riders with them now. Not a perfect test but a pretty good indication.
I mean to each their own but for me, not having to EVER worry about charging any of the 4 bikes in my carport without AC, while I'm on tour for months is awesome. 2 bikes down, 2 to go to replace with Shorai.
Weight savings and much better performance than lead acid or gel batteries seal the deal.
I'd pay double what I have for them.
When I travel I used to have to charge all my various camera batteries and gadgets while moving to stay ahead, which presented challenges and costs of carrying two batteries for everything, and having a case big enough to facilitate charging on the go. ( no motels....) Now with the Shorai I can and do charge my stuff for hours while solo in very remote places while camping without worries of killing the battery.

I'd imagine they don't come from the factory for reason mentioned, same reason why BMW's come with cheap, crappy Showa shocks..... $$$$

[nylife]

I had a chance to speak with Dave today at the new york motorcycle show, very nice and knowledgeable guy he is one of the tech guys from shorai. I explained to him the issues i have with cold start and he agreed to exchnage my battery for the newer model that came out recently all i have to pay if the price difference between the two.
Here is what happened, according to him they used to source parts from Japan, then the disaster happened and they forced to obrain some parts from samsung and possibly ohter places so some batteries because of it had cold start issues, because the modules in them would not recharge 100%, at least this is a short explanation we spoke for a while.
so anyway i will be getting the newer 21 model of the battery