So far it's always worked. I've never -HAD- to warm up the battery, but I found that the bike does jump to life more readily if you DO. The bike sits in my cold garage for weeks at a time sometimes. It's slow when I haven't charged it in a while, when I hit the start button, the lights get dim and it's slow to rotate (but it's still always started). Just leave the headlights on for 30 secs before hitting start. It'll jump right to life. Or else just leave it on the tender 24-7.

Ben

 

So that's in the ~40 degree range that you'd start running into this? I'm guessing that based on your info saying you're in Georgia. If so, that's a good bit warmer than I've have thought. Not a big deal, but not what I'd consider fridgid or extreme cold.

 

I heard a rumor on the Internet

They are the BOMB!



YB

 

I've had a Shorai on my Limited for a few months now, can't really tell a difference in the ride weight. It starts it but I don't think it has the cranking power the stock battery had.

 

Ben, a battery tender is different than a simple automatic lead acid charger. tenders will go into a de-sulphating mode depending on the state of the battery and the amount of time on the tender, and that de-suplhating mode will mess up the electronics in the battery. You see, in order to be useable on a lead acid charging system, they need to have their own charging circuit internal to the battery case.. It's a great thing, as it allows one to use this tech on virtually any modern MC charging system, but the down side is that tricks and tech that increase the life of your lead acid battery could damage your new tech battery. It is best to use a charger/tender that was designed to keep that tech happy for a long time.

These batteries have an incredibly low self discharge rate and will keep your security system alive for a long time. Unless you don't plan to ride for months, I would bet a tender is entirely unnecessary. Your choice though, and it most certainly won't hurt.

 

cprhed - What do you classify as "cold weather" ? I live in the deep S.E., where the temperature rarely drops below freezing, and when it does, doesn't last long. I have a high compression 103 Screaming Eagle motor, and I would like a little more "umph" to turn this engine over. Stock battery barely does the job, and now going on two years old and about time for replacement.

 

Big question is why?

 

I posted this earlier today in the General Chat area and it may be relevant here as well:There is a forum sponsor -

DKCustom Products" target="_blank">DKCustom Products

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over in the Sportster section that sells them (he also carries the larger CCA versions). The forummember - Kevin has been using one for a while and may be able to give you somefeedback on the LI battery.




I just replaced the AGM battery on my '09 Ultra with another AGM battery. I don't know if the LI batteries have the longevity, and they are significantly more expensive.

 

Because throwing deck chairs off the Titanic made a difference

 

From a website:

- Extremely light weight! For example a typical 16 amp/hour battery weighs 5kg. A replacement Ultrabatt Lithium battery weighs an amazing 860 grams complete with the built in Battery Management System.
- Very high cranking power relative to size and weight.
- Very low self-discharge rate (about 3% every month).
- Very small size.
- No internal liquids or acids that can spill - can be mounted in any orientation.
- Unlike lead acid batteries LiFePO4 lithiium batteries do not produce explosive gasses like hydrogen when charging or discharging.
- Very fast charging times typically a discharged battery can be fully recharged in 1-2 hours. By comparison a discharged lead acid battery will take over 12 hours to charge to full capacity.
- Vastly superior reliability and a very long service life compared to lead acid batteries
- Lower per year cost of ownership than legacy lead acid batteries.


But I did hear a rumor on the internet from self proclaimed experts who have no experience in dealing with these batteries that it will most likely explode and kill you, so I guess I'd steer clear...