NEW Lithium Battery???
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,590
From: South Florida
NEW Lithium Battery???
I did not see a battery or battery related section so I hope here is ok.
Also, after a "Search" I did not see this topic.
A few hours ago I was told I need a new battery from HD Alligator Alley in Sunrise, FL .
They said there is a NEW battery "LITHIUM" which is 20 lbs (YES 20 LBS) lighter and does not need to be charged for a year.
I said:
1) Give me the regular battery.
2) I will not be a guinea pig. (For HD or ANYONE.)
Does anyone have experience with this NEW Lithium battery? (I have a '17 Ultra LTD.)
Anyone want to voice pro's/con's?
Thanks as always!
Also, after a "Search" I did not see this topic.
A few hours ago I was told I need a new battery from HD Alligator Alley in Sunrise, FL .
They said there is a NEW battery "LITHIUM" which is 20 lbs (YES 20 LBS) lighter and does not need to be charged for a year.
I said:
1) Give me the regular battery.
2) I will not be a guinea pig. (For HD or ANYONE.)
Does anyone have experience with this NEW Lithium battery? (I have a '17 Ultra LTD.)
Anyone want to voice pro's/con's?
Thanks as always!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 157
From: Banning, CA
I did not see a battery or battery related section so I hope here is ok.
Also, after a "Search" I did not see this topic.
A few hours ago I was told I need a new battery from HD Alligator Alley in Sunrise, FL .
They said there is a NEW battery "LITHIUM" which is 20 lbs (YES 20 LBS) lighter and does not need to be charged for a year.
I said:
1) Give me the regular battery.
2) I will not be a guinea pig. (For HD or ANYONE.)
Does anyone have experience with this NEW Lithium battery? (I have a '17 Ultra LTD.)
Anyone want to voice pro's/con's?
Thanks as always!
Also, after a "Search" I did not see this topic.
A few hours ago I was told I need a new battery from HD Alligator Alley in Sunrise, FL .
They said there is a NEW battery "LITHIUM" which is 20 lbs (YES 20 LBS) lighter and does not need to be charged for a year.
I said:
1) Give me the regular battery.
2) I will not be a guinea pig. (For HD or ANYONE.)
Does anyone have experience with this NEW Lithium battery? (I have a '17 Ultra LTD.)
Anyone want to voice pro's/con's?
Thanks as always!
acid batteries there are cheap ones and good ones - if it explodes and your bike catches on fire you'll know which one
you have. Battery chargers are another issue - many will say they can maintain any type of battery but they don't tell that
theirs will ruin a Li-ion battery. The best chargers come from Optimate for Li-ion batteries. Skyrich is the Ducati superbike
vendor and they / Chinese make high quality direct replacement batteries. Shorai / Japanese makes them also but racers
have experienced short life and failures not seen in most Japanese products. The best available and used by most race
teams are USA made Speedcell that comes in three universal sizes / CCA ratings. When properly maintained most racers
are getting 6 years life expectancy. This link is for the large size Speedcell that a HD bagger would require.
Speedcell -
Optimate TM-291 charger -
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,590
From: South Florida
Lithium-ion batteries have been around for quite some time and are stock in some Ducati superbikes. Like regular lead
acid batteries there are cheap ones and good ones - if it explodes and your bike catches on fire you'll know which one
you have. Battery chargers are another issue - many will say they can maintain any type of battery but they don't tell that
theirs will ruin a Li-ion battery. The best chargers come from Optimate for Li-ion batteries. Skyrich is the Ducati superbike
vendor and they / Chinese make high quality direct replacement batteries. Shorai / Japanese makes them also but racers
have experienced short life and failures not seen in most Japanese products. The best available and used by most race
teams are USA made Speedcell that comes in three universal sizes / CCA ratings. When properly maintained most racers
are getting 6 years life expectancy. This link is for the large size Speedcell that a HD bagger would require.
Speedcell - https://www.amazon.com/Speedcell-Leg...PWVS7CM35TJ3GA
Optimate TM-291 charger - https://www.amazon.com/Tecmate-TM-29.../dp/B00AHG7O74
acid batteries there are cheap ones and good ones - if it explodes and your bike catches on fire you'll know which one
you have. Battery chargers are another issue - many will say they can maintain any type of battery but they don't tell that
theirs will ruin a Li-ion battery. The best chargers come from Optimate for Li-ion batteries. Skyrich is the Ducati superbike
vendor and they / Chinese make high quality direct replacement batteries. Shorai / Japanese makes them also but racers
have experienced short life and failures not seen in most Japanese products. The best available and used by most race
teams are USA made Speedcell that comes in three universal sizes / CCA ratings. When properly maintained most racers
are getting 6 years life expectancy. This link is for the large size Speedcell that a HD bagger would require.
Speedcell - https://www.amazon.com/Speedcell-Leg...PWVS7CM35TJ3GA
Optimate TM-291 charger - https://www.amazon.com/Tecmate-TM-29.../dp/B00AHG7O74
That begs the question, knowing these batteries are NEW, only being put into bikes in the last few months (at least here at Sunrise HD), if my bike was yours LWBOB, would you have said YES to putting a Lithium Ion Batt into the bike?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,219
From: Michigan
I saw that battery in the HOG magazine and I'm thinking about it for my Tri-Glide when I need to replace the OEM, hopefully in a couple of years.
However, I've been buying my batteries from batterymart.com and for the cost and convenience (delivered to my front porch) you can't beat them and I think their Big Crank ETX30L is the same (or comparable) to the OEM battery.
I replace the batteries in our "road bikes" every third season (two years use) for about $100 (or so) each so I don't have to be concerned about a weak or dead battery.
Keeping your battery hooked up to a battery tender when your bike is not being road regularly will preserve and extend the life of the battery ad if you store your bike somewhere that doesn't have electricity it's wort the effort of removing the battery and placing it somewhere where it can be kept on a tender.
However, I've been buying my batteries from batterymart.com and for the cost and convenience (delivered to my front porch) you can't beat them and I think their Big Crank ETX30L is the same (or comparable) to the OEM battery.
I replace the batteries in our "road bikes" every third season (two years use) for about $100 (or so) each so I don't have to be concerned about a weak or dead battery.
Keeping your battery hooked up to a battery tender when your bike is not being road regularly will preserve and extend the life of the battery ad if you store your bike somewhere that doesn't have electricity it's wort the effort of removing the battery and placing it somewhere where it can be kept on a tender.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,590
From: South Florida
I saw that battery in the HOG magazine and I'm thinking about it for my Tri-Glide when I need to replace the OEM, hopefully in a couple of years.
However, I've been buying my batteries from batterymart.com and for the cost and convenience (delivered to my front porch) you can't beat them and I think their Big Crank ETX30L is the same (or comparable) to the OEM battery.
I replace the batteries in our "road bikes" every third season (two years use) for about $100 (or so) each so I don't have to be concerned about a weak or dead battery.
Keeping your battery hooked up to a battery tender when your bike is not being road regularly will preserve and extend the life of the battery ad if you store your bike somewhere that doesn't have electricity it's wort the effort of removing the battery and placing it somewhere where it can be kept on a tender.
However, I've been buying my batteries from batterymart.com and for the cost and convenience (delivered to my front porch) you can't beat them and I think their Big Crank ETX30L is the same (or comparable) to the OEM battery.
I replace the batteries in our "road bikes" every third season (two years use) for about $100 (or so) each so I don't have to be concerned about a weak or dead battery.
Keeping your battery hooked up to a battery tender when your bike is not being road regularly will preserve and extend the life of the battery ad if you store your bike somewhere that doesn't have electricity it's wort the effort of removing the battery and placing it somewhere where it can be kept on a tender.
I ride daily so no tender etc... needed my friend.
THANKs for the post!! OH.......that means you would not have gone to the new Lithium batt??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,219
From: Michigan
I'll make that decision when I need a new battery for my '18 Tri-Glide and it will depend on if I decide to store the trike in town (I have two storage bays,1 with electricity and 1 without) where I can access and ride them in cooler/colder weather.
I live on a dirt/gravel road so riding after mid-October to mid-April due to weather and road conditions is minimal to say the least
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 157
From: Banning, CA
Lithium Iron Phosphate - LiFePo4
WOW! What an eye opener mate. THANKS.
That begs the question, knowing these batteries are NEW, only being put into bikes in the last few months (at least here at Sunrise HD), if my bike was yours LWBOB, would you have said YES to putting a Lithium Ion Batt into the bike?
That begs the question, knowing these batteries are NEW, only being put into bikes in the last few months (at least here at Sunrise HD), if my bike was yours LWBOB, would you have said YES to putting a Lithium Ion Batt into the bike?
with some being prone to exploding and catching fire. Watched a friends $50k Yamaha superbike burn down at the track
using one. That said, yes, I use the large Speedcell in my 2013 Limited bagger but the medium size would be fine for
Softails, Dynas etc. I would prefer to use the Skyrich direct fit but the USA distributor is an A-Hole and difficult to get. All
the others I don't have personal knowledge about but most have misleading advertisements so I won't go there. Most
often old tech Lithium ion are not LiFePo4 new design and that's what you want - some will lie to you about that too.
Designs - https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/...of_lithium_ion
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 34
From: Wisconsin
I use a Lithium battery in my Yamaha FZ1 (high compression liter bike) due to the poor design of the battery box. When I need a new battery in my HD I'll switch over to Lithium for those bikes as well.
I do not understand the recommendation for a different battery size between a Dyna and Touring bike. The engines are very close in volume and compression for a given model year and have similar starting loads on the battery. I will buy the biggest battery that will fit the battery box.
I do not understand the recommendation for a different battery size between a Dyna and Touring bike. The engines are very close in volume and compression for a given model year and have similar starting loads on the battery. I will buy the biggest battery that will fit the battery box.
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
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,590
From: South Florida
Gary, they appear to be NEW here. How long have u been running the new batt's?