Lithium Battery Question..
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,863
Likes: 3,845
From: Cape Cod
There are utube vids of how to awaken a lithium.
And if it happens away from home youre on a tow truck, you wont have the charger or electrical power to fix it, and ya cant jump it like a regular battery.
And if it happens away from home youre on a tow truck, you wont have the charger or electrical power to fix it, and ya cant jump it like a regular battery.
Last edited by MURPHCC1; Jan 18, 2026 at 04:42 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,683
Likes: 3,974
From: Near Yosemite
Yeah........ I like my fair share of technology and all, like I have one of Samsung's newest-bestest cell phones, but these Li batteries are just too damn finicky for my taste. If it had a nice set of fake **** on it, I'd be a little more willing to put up with some of that finicky crap, but............. I'm good with my AGM's.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 45
From: wisconsin
I did a little looking around how to bring them back , everything I found was remedies you would not have along 800 miles from home at some dive bar .
I ordered the Noco harness to hook to my battery , has a pigtail that you can plug a newer series Noco Boost X directly into , comes with an adapter plug so you can use the same plug to plug a battery tender into .
Older bikes = twin cams etc you get at the starter to jump off of , newer stuff, everything is buried ....
I ordered the Noco harness to hook to my battery , has a pigtail that you can plug a newer series Noco Boost X directly into , comes with an adapter plug so you can use the same plug to plug a battery tender into .
Older bikes = twin cams etc you get at the starter to jump off of , newer stuff, everything is buried ....
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,863
Likes: 3,845
From: Cape Cod
That still wont jump start a lithium(LIFEPO4) away from home
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 45
From: wisconsin
Correct, I've given up on the lithium idea for now. Maybe someday I'll have a lithium, but for now it's old school
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 574
From: Lockport Illinois
I see a bunch of confusion on lithium batteries. I will try to clear up some of this confusion.
Some say once they are dead they are dead which can be true. The reason some of these cheaper lithium batteries die and will not come back is because they DO NOT have a BMS(battery management system).and the battery was neglected. The BMS keeps the cells from going completely dead and shuts off power when they sense voltage below 10.5 vdc. To reactivate the battery all you need to do is hook up a 12v source and let the voltage balance between the lithium and the 12v source. NEVER jump a battery on a bike from a running vehicle as it WILL damage the bikes charging system from over amperage from a running vehicle.
Most lithium battery manufactures have maintainer/chargers avaible for the batteries they produce which I would recommend IF you decide to go the lithium route.
Resting voltage on a properly maintained lithium battery is between 12.8 to 13.2 depending on manufacture. Your bike will start easier and your charging system will last longer as the lithium batteries will charge for a shorter time having a higher resting voltage.
I have been using lithium batteries on my bike for 5 years plus and have had ZERO issues. These batteries when properly cared for will last upwards from 8-10 years. Yes they are expensive on the initial purchase but will out last an AGM or flooded battery 3-4 times over.
Some say once they are dead they are dead which can be true. The reason some of these cheaper lithium batteries die and will not come back is because they DO NOT have a BMS(battery management system).and the battery was neglected. The BMS keeps the cells from going completely dead and shuts off power when they sense voltage below 10.5 vdc. To reactivate the battery all you need to do is hook up a 12v source and let the voltage balance between the lithium and the 12v source. NEVER jump a battery on a bike from a running vehicle as it WILL damage the bikes charging system from over amperage from a running vehicle.
Most lithium battery manufactures have maintainer/chargers avaible for the batteries they produce which I would recommend IF you decide to go the lithium route.
Resting voltage on a properly maintained lithium battery is between 12.8 to 13.2 depending on manufacture. Your bike will start easier and your charging system will last longer as the lithium batteries will charge for a shorter time having a higher resting voltage.
I have been using lithium batteries on my bike for 5 years plus and have had ZERO issues. These batteries when properly cared for will last upwards from 8-10 years. Yes they are expensive on the initial purchase but will out last an AGM or flooded battery 3-4 times over.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 1,486
From: Black Hills of SD
Sticking with AGM's in all my vehicles. Tried the Shorie route - not for me.
My last year of work, we did Lithium starter battery testing for Embraer aircraft. If you ever seen a lithium blow up, you will probably never put one in your bike.
Impressive, incredible, total massive destruction in seconds. When they go up, they go up!
Yes, I know there is Llthium Iron and Lithium. I have a Shorie in my one bike that is now 12 years old. It became not strong enough for a higher compression bike at about 5-6 years old that I bought it for. I now have it in another bike where it still has enough power to crank it. They do not like cold and are a real PITA when they are too cold to function. Around 45° was my experience.
I get 6-7+ years out of good Yuasa batteries, so that is what I'm still with. Just my opinion, take it for what you want of it.
My last year of work, we did Lithium starter battery testing for Embraer aircraft. If you ever seen a lithium blow up, you will probably never put one in your bike.
Impressive, incredible, total massive destruction in seconds. When they go up, they go up!
Yes, I know there is Llthium Iron and Lithium. I have a Shorie in my one bike that is now 12 years old. It became not strong enough for a higher compression bike at about 5-6 years old that I bought it for. I now have it in another bike where it still has enough power to crank it. They do not like cold and are a real PITA when they are too cold to function. Around 45° was my experience.
I get 6-7+ years out of good Yuasa batteries, so that is what I'm still with. Just my opinion, take it for what you want of it.