I can remember my old Honda battery in my quad which was an 87 four traxx. The original battery lasted 8 years. Now I'm buying batteries every year. And since I have a disease and own 7 bikes right now which I try and keep all running, I would like to know that if I'm am going to spend $200 on a lithium battery that I'm gonna get years out of it. I believe they have been out for at least a few years now? Am I right on this? I just want to hear from someone that can actually claim that they last longer. The few companies that make them obviously claim they last longer. Anyone one out there been using one of these for three years or more?

 

I had a Honda battery that only lasted 6 months, on a new bike! The best was a BMW that lasted over a decade. Modern batteries in my experience of almost 50 years of biking are more reliable. They are better made, less fragile in construction and give much better performance.

 

I really do like the Harley stock batteries. I have had good luck with them. My real reason for going this route is space. As many of you probably know the 06-08 sportsters have the worst location for the ecm. It's right on the top of the rear fender. I have a real nice set of throw over saddle bags that I want to use but I need to relocate the ecm. Many have done this mod in many different ways. One great way is just using a smaller battery and moving the ecm on top of the battery. No cutting,drilling, headaches, and no cursing. Also wondering if the shorai batteries are the same dimensions as the stock sportster battery or if it's much smaller. Trying to find a smaller lithium battery that has 320 cc amps with the terminals in the correct spot. Hoping that someone who has done this mod will chime in on weather or not this was a good route to take and obviously let me know how their lithium battery is holding up.

 

I just got a brand new Shorai (LFX24A3-BS12) delivered yesterday that specs out to virtually the same physical size as my stock exposed battery. Did not want a bunch of ugly foam showing on an exposed battery tray. Shorai batteries come in several case sizes, so you probably can go smaller with the same CCA. I think mine is 360 CCA, which I believe is more than stock lead/acid. You can also get the terminals positioned as you need. For me, taking 10 pounds off my battery tray was a big incentive, since it's held by only two bolts.

Amazing how much lighter it is than the lead/acid version to be replaced. I'll probably install tomorrow and see how things work out.

John

 

I just bought a HD battery tender, output is 750 ma, 12vdc. I am hoping to get 5 years out of this HD battery. In the past I believe using a 1.5 amp charger may have shortened the life of HD batteries. The increased amp rating cooks the batteries. Go with the tender instead. Plan on plugging into tender after each use to maintain full charge.

 

I'm coming up on 3 years of having my ECM relocated into the battery box with my Lithium battery. Working as well today as when new, really cranks the engine over quickly.

I expect to get 7-10 years or more out of it.

LINK to the battery I'm using.