Shorai Power Lithium Batteries

[tinytrains]

Has anybody any experience with these?

http://www.shoraipower.com/s-44606-R1200GS-S-R.aspx

They make one for our bike, and it weighs less than 2 lbs, 7 lbs lighter than stock. I saw them at the Long Beach show.

Scott

[deilenberger]

Scott - no experience, but the FAQ looks interesting:

http://www.shoraipower.com/t-faq.aspx

[Dr. Strangelove]

I posted a similar question in the 1150 forum, because this battery sounds good. No responses yet. I have been happy with the pc680, but the increased power and shelf life of this one might be worth the premium price.

John

[Dauntless]

I am ordering one this week as I am getting leery of my two year old original battery. The folks over at Advrider seem to like it : http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthre ... ght=shorai

[jess]

One of the guys on my forum bought one for his scooter, but hasn't given a post-install update yet: http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic75672

[Dauntless]

I just bought A Shorai LFX18A1-BS12 for $186.95 plus $8.26 shipping.

Here is what it looks like packed in the foam pieces that you must trim to make it match your original battery:


Here it is compared to my 2009 R1200R's original battery:






Here it is with the foam cut to shim the battery:






The battery is 7 pounds lighter than the original. It is so light that it makes you wonder how it can generate any power.

The battery was a PITA to install because the nut to which the terminal screw attaches falls away and out of reach if you have an accessory wire attached to the battery in addition to the main cable. I had to stick a piece of the foam under the nut in order to keep it in place and within reach of the screw. Here is a comparison of my original battery's pretty robust terminal and the Shorai's terminal:




It would be nice if the nut was taller and the terminal itself was flush with the top of the battery. The way it is now, the leads of my battery cables are angled down to meet the terminal and probably don't have as good of a contact area as it would if the terminal was flush.

Further, the foam pads that shim the battery are exposed to water spray. I don't know how they will hold up or if they will retain water like a sponge.

If I had known that I had to cut foam to make this battery fit and shim the terminal nuts to make them work, I wouldn't have bought this battery. The weight savings isn't that important to me. I think an Odyssey battery would have served my purposes just fine.

[deilenberger]

A rather interesting discussion on this battery on the Sport-Touring forum:
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/u ... Post668045

The conclusion by someone I trust (Moshe Levy) - it's not worth it on a bike. The Odyssey is a better match. The Shorai isn't a bad battery - but it's not better vs the Odyssey.

YMMV (and I'm running a Yuasa I got for a steal..)

[sandycruz]

Hi Paul,

Any feedback on how the battery is working out for you, besides the great installation pics.

What's the starting power like?

Thanks,

David Giannini
Santa Cruz, CA

[Dauntless]

Hi Paul,

Any feedback on how the battery is working out for you, besides the great installation pics.

What's the starting power like?

Thanks,

David Giannini
Santa Cruz, CA

The starting power seems to be the same as my old battery. I'm not really impressed with the battery yet. When it gets warmer here, maybe the bike will crank faster.

[tinytrains]

What I want to know, we will not find out for years, is how long they last? That is supposed to be the big advantage to lithium, along with smaller size and weight. I have had rechargeable lithium batteries in ham gear last 10 years plus.

[nylife]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but was wondering how is the battery holding up so far?

thanks

[Dauntless]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but was wondering how is the battery holding up so far?

thanks

Mine is holding up fine although I haven't had it long enough to really evaluate it. I still don't recommend it because the cost outweighs the weight savings. Shorai is upgrading the terminal design that I complained about in my previous post but the batteries are unavailable at this time due to the earthquake in Japan.

[nylife]

well if i decide to buy the battery i would be getting it for the reason of being able to seat without being re-charged and not the weight savings, but i appreciate the input

[tinytrains]

I don't have the link, but it may be on Adv Rider, a guy had one melt down on a trip in Mexico. Case bulged out and the bike would not run. He pointed out that lithium batteries do not like to be overcharged, and normal bikes do not have a built in smart charger. As a result, if you ride every day for a long distance, you may fry the battery, as he did. He was able to get his bike hauled to a shop who could get him a standard battery.

Just more to think about.

[Lost Rider]

Another ADV thread that might help form an opinion on the subject.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661377

Once they are available I'll be putting one in my GS, since the battery is located up high, the weight savings are enticing as is the performance. Once the old school battery in my R dies, a Shorai will go in that one too.
I talked with Shorai 2 weeks ago and the new batch was is due anytime.

[nylife]

well since my battery died today, this is my front runner for the battery

[BoiseBiker]

I have the Shorai in a 2009 R1200R and it works great.

I have another one in a 2007 Triumph Rocket 3, it takes some warming up in cold weather (40deg) but after that it is better than the lead acid at turning over that beast.
Shorai is sending me a bigger one for the Triumph so the cold doesn't bother it. Nice guys.

[redwing]

?

[nylife]

?

umm Yes, not sure what the question is?
But i am happy to report and if you search for my thread that i did buy the battery and so far it works wells

[gibbo111]

I have just installed a shorai in my HP2 sport and so far am happy with it. It cranks it over no trouble, time will tell. Gibbo