Lithium Battery Question..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 4,947
From: England
I installed HD lithium in my 17 CVO in 2022 it came with 5 yrs warranty plus it was on sale. I wasn't sure in the beginning had my doubts but it proved me wrong no issue with it what's so ever. I plug it in here and there within minutes it shows fully charged no problem starting the bike in cold weather here in Oklahoma.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,586
Likes: 8,411
From: Inland NW
I installed HD lithium in my 17 CVO in 2022 it came with 5 yrs warranty plus it was on sale. I wasn't sure in the beginning had my doubts but it proved me wrong no issue with it what's so ever. I plug it in here and there within minutes it shows fully charged no problem starting the bike in cold weather here in Oklahoma.
I am going to proactively replace my 6 year old X2 with either a XS30L Lithium, or an XS AGM. I am not sure that I will have the bike for 6 more years, so there is that consideration. Currently debating on trading it for a new CVO Limited, OR keeping it and looking for a Dyna.
Not the most relevant deliberation for a battery purchase, but that XS Lithium is $600
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
You and I have had similar experiences with them.
I am going to proactively replace my 6 year old X2 with either a XS30L Lithium, or an XS AGM. I am not sure that I will have the bike for 6 more years, so there is that consideration. Currently debating on trading it for a new CVO Limited, OR keeping it and looking for a Dyna.
Not the most relevant deliberation for a battery purchase, but that XS Lithium is $600
I am going to proactively replace my 6 year old X2 with either a XS30L Lithium, or an XS AGM. I am not sure that I will have the bike for 6 more years, so there is that consideration. Currently debating on trading it for a new CVO Limited, OR keeping it and looking for a Dyna.
Not the most relevant deliberation for a battery purchase, but that XS Lithium is $600
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,586
Likes: 8,411
From: Inland NW
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 4,947
From: England
One problem with all rechargeable batteries is not keeping them at the right state of charge. For an AGM battery it should be kept fully charged. After starting the bike which takes the most out of it the ride needs to be long enough to recharge it or it needs putting on a charger when you get home to ensure it stays fully charged, IMO.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,586
Likes: 8,411
From: Inland NW
One problem with all rechargeable batteries is not keeping them at the right state of charge. For an AGM battery it should be kept fully charged. After starting the bike which takes the most out of it the ride needs to be long enough to recharge it or it needs putting on a charger when you get home to ensure it stays fully charged, IMO.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 2,060
From: Phoenix
One of the things I don't understand stand about going to a lithium battery.
If you need a different battery charger/tender for lithium than you do an AGM, why don't you need to change your motorcycles voltage regulator to match the needs of a lithium battery?
If you need a different battery charger/tender for lithium than you do an AGM, why don't you need to change your motorcycles voltage regulator to match the needs of a lithium battery?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 4,947
From: England
Most dedicated Pb chargers do a desulfate stage that would damage a lithium battery.
The output from a charger for AGM could be 14.8 volts which a little higher than required for LiFePO4 batteries.
Most peoples low cost voltmeters possibly can't even see some of theses small differences but just a couple of 1/10ths of a volt can be damaging to lithium cells.
When the weather is really cold reducing the charge volte by just 0.1 volts per cell will prevent damage.
The output from a charger for AGM could be 14.8 volts which a little higher than required for LiFePO4 batteries.
Most peoples low cost voltmeters possibly can't even see some of theses small differences but just a couple of 1/10ths of a volt can be damaging to lithium cells.
When the weather is really cold reducing the charge volte by just 0.1 volts per cell will prevent damage.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Jan 17, 2026 at 10:59 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 2,060
From: Phoenix
I'm not against lithium batteries. I have 4 12v Lifepo4 100 amp batteries at my cabin, charged by solar or generator depending on the weather and they're light years ahead of deep cell AGM batteries.
But they need different chargers for voltage and amps and that take temperature into consideration. The batteries can be damaged if charged when it's below freezing.
I keep the batteries in a 20' conex box on steel shelves away from flammables just in case.
But they need different chargers for voltage and amps and that take temperature into consideration. The batteries can be damaged if charged when it's below freezing.
I keep the batteries in a 20' conex box on steel shelves away from flammables just in case.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 45
From: wisconsin
Just curious, if somehow you run a lithium completely dead , do you not need to put a small charge into it before jump starting it ? And that small charge needs to come from a battery charger/maintainer designed for lithium?
I'm not knocking them ... but things happen , and usually not to home
I'm not knocking them ... but things happen , and usually not to home