Lithium-Ion
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 3,071
Likes: 1,867
From: Unreconstructed
Lithium-Ion
Searched the forum for Dyna-specific information on switching to a lithium-ion battery and found a couple of threads from around 2014, so I'm starting a new thread.
The original battery on my '17 FXDB is starting to be unreliable. I also haven't taken the best care of it during the winter and when I'm not riding much so it needs to be replaced. I'm looking at https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...ery/p/66000302 which is about a hundred more than a stock replacement battery. You guys have any real experience with one of these batteries?
I'm also willing to take some conventional battery recommendations but I really don't want this to be like an oil debate thread.
Thanks
The original battery on my '17 FXDB is starting to be unreliable. I also haven't taken the best care of it during the winter and when I'm not riding much so it needs to be replaced. I'm looking at https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...ery/p/66000302 which is about a hundred more than a stock replacement battery. You guys have any real experience with one of these batteries?
I'm also willing to take some conventional battery recommendations but I really don't want this to be like an oil debate thread.
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 966
Likes: 665
From: Rhode Island
If you do not properly maintain a lithium-ion battery they can easily catch fire, and once they catch on fire they go into thermal runaway. It's not pretty. Look at Tesla's car fires. Get a Yuasa.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 3,038
From: Brighton, MI
snake-eyes, do your self a favor and really do your homework. Don't let the hype or myths scare you.
Lithium batteries have their place but are just different, and need a different set of "rules" for care and maintenance and charging. That's all there is to it.
Over charging and the wrong charger is a no no. They are lighter, and less maintenance, and after you fire up your bike, the battery has been fully recharged in about 5 minutes of run time. They have a higher resting voltage, and don't need a maintainer. Just a top off trickle charge once every 5 or 6 months if the bike is in storage. If your bike gets used within that time frame, then no top off charge is needed.
Lithiums have a higher amount of cold cranking amps and they are way lighter in weight. Surprisingly light. Most newer lithiums have a BMS (battery maintenance system) in them. That is a circuit board that monitors the charging system and the battery and is sort of a "safety feature" to prevent them from being over charged or completely discharged. That was the big issue with the first generation of lithiums. People did not know how to use them and they would over charge, or neglect them and then charge at crazy high rate etc, that is when you run into problems. Lithiums don't like to be run completely dead. It will kill them. Over charge or charge at to many amps and they catch fire.
Play by the lithium rules and they are no more problematic than conventional batteries. I have one in my old 1994, and it has been less maintenance, and more power than my old lead acid battery.
Lithium batteries have their place but are just different, and need a different set of "rules" for care and maintenance and charging. That's all there is to it.
Over charging and the wrong charger is a no no. They are lighter, and less maintenance, and after you fire up your bike, the battery has been fully recharged in about 5 minutes of run time. They have a higher resting voltage, and don't need a maintainer. Just a top off trickle charge once every 5 or 6 months if the bike is in storage. If your bike gets used within that time frame, then no top off charge is needed.
Lithiums have a higher amount of cold cranking amps and they are way lighter in weight. Surprisingly light. Most newer lithiums have a BMS (battery maintenance system) in them. That is a circuit board that monitors the charging system and the battery and is sort of a "safety feature" to prevent them from being over charged or completely discharged. That was the big issue with the first generation of lithiums. People did not know how to use them and they would over charge, or neglect them and then charge at crazy high rate etc, that is when you run into problems. Lithiums don't like to be run completely dead. It will kill them. Over charge or charge at to many amps and they catch fire.
Play by the lithium rules and they are no more problematic than conventional batteries. I have one in my old 1994, and it has been less maintenance, and more power than my old lead acid battery.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 105
Likes: 109
From: Marion, NC
I’m interested in a lithium battery too. Have researched many brands, including the Shorai lithium and Antigravity, however, after reading the reviews on different seller’s websites, I’ve always chickened out on a purchase.
I know lithium technology is safe, I’ve carried a flashlight in my pocket for over ten years that runs on a rechargeable 18650. It’s never caught fire in my pocket. Also, having quit smoking over a decade ago, I’ve curbed my heroin-like nicotine addiction with an ecig that also uses lithium 18650 batteries. These are the same batteries that are grouped together to make most other larger lithium batteries. It’s misuse, like poor or crappy chargers that cause issues.
Despite some bad reviews that most lithium power sports batteries receive, I’ll probably buy one when it’s time.
I know lithium technology is safe, I’ve carried a flashlight in my pocket for over ten years that runs on a rechargeable 18650. It’s never caught fire in my pocket. Also, having quit smoking over a decade ago, I’ve curbed my heroin-like nicotine addiction with an ecig that also uses lithium 18650 batteries. These are the same batteries that are grouped together to make most other larger lithium batteries. It’s misuse, like poor or crappy chargers that cause issues.
Despite some bad reviews that most lithium power sports batteries receive, I’ll probably buy one when it’s time.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 105
Likes: 109
From: Marion, NC
Definitely something to be said about the Yuasa AGM batteries. I was doing maintenance on my 2016 Honda Pioneer yesterday, making a gear shifter adjustment and the battery had to be removed to get to the cable. When I took it out, I was reminded that it was the factory battery. Dated 2015. Still cranks strong and it’s never, ever been on a tender. Machine is really only used for work on job sites and has sat for long periods of time, making it the ideal candidate for premature battery failure, but that Yuasa from 2015 keeps trucking.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 1,324
From: DeLand, Florida
The only thing that bothers me about lithium batteries is your onboard charging system does not change from the design of using a lead acid battery. Everyone will tell you to use the proper trickle charger for lithium but no one ever discusses the Harley charging system.
A BMS is usually mention as to why the lithium can be installed in the bike but they will also tell you that you need a special trickle charger.
Inquiring minds would like a real good answer.....
A BMS is usually mention as to why the lithium can be installed in the bike but they will also tell you that you need a special trickle charger.
Inquiring minds would like a real good answer.....
Trending Topics
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 886
From: Upstate New York
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 350
From: Wisconsin
The only thing that bothers me about lithium batteries is your onboard charging system does not change from the design of using a lead acid battery. Everyone will tell you to use the proper trickle charger for lithium but no one ever discusses the Harley charging system.
A BMS is usually mention as to why the lithium can be installed in the bike but they will also tell you that you need a special trickle charger.
Inquiring minds would like a real good answer.....
A BMS is usually mention as to why the lithium can be installed in the bike but they will also tell you that you need a special trickle charger.
Inquiring minds would like a real good answer.....
As far as I know these lithium batteries have charging control built into the battery so you only need to provide a constant voltage to the +/- terminals, that comes from the bike's regulator. Maximum voltage level and/or cell balancing is done by the charging controller. Most maintenance or trickle chargers for lead-acid/AGM are built around current regulation to maintain battery voltage rather than providing a constant voltage high enough for the Li charge controller.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,027
From: Carlsbad, CA
I don’t see the advantage of the lithiums over AGM other than lower weight, and lightening your wallet. Yes, they don’t self discharge…but they still are subjected to parasitic draw discharge. And they have lower Ah ratings than AGM. I recently installed the Yuasa 32 and am very happy with it. I only put it on the tender if I haven’t ridden for over 1 week..and it always starts strong.