It looks like the lead/acid battery on my 2011 EFi Thruxty is on the way out. I'm thinking of going the Li-ion route for a replacement as I've had one on my 2016 Aprilia Tuono for a while now and it's been no problem at all so far and gives a big weight saving apart from anything else. I'm wondering if any of you have gone down this route on your 900 and if so what are your views on using a Li-on battery in this application?
No idea mate! I’ve got a normal lead acid in mine and it’s done well for 5 years so I can’t see any reason not to replace it with the same when it comes to that day. As in weight saving, I don’t race mine so I don’t see the point. Have you got the lightest helmet, leathers etc and how’s the diet?
Ha Ha, No, the diet is on hold for now. I'm not one of those people who drills holes in everything to save a few ounces and then gets an extra portion of chips when I visit the Fish and Chip shop. The difference in weight between a conventional lead/acid battery and a Li-ion type is significant though. To be honest when I got one for my Tuono I couldn't believe there was anything inside the case it was that light. My query was aimed more at the reliability side of the Li-ion batteries. I've heard if they get too cold they don't work well and if they get heavily discharged they can become scrap, but if you look after them they perform well. You could say that of a Lead/Acid battery of course, but the one on my Tuono lasted only 3 years hence getting the Li-ion one.
Ive ordered an ATZ10 & Opi charger bundle from Antigavity UK. After reading the spec and USP of AG, I thought I’d give them a go as I had Shorai Lithium batteries On my last KTM, but Would also get DAT errors when it was cold. I will be reviewing the ATZ10 throughout the winter months to see how it goes.
Ok, so after speaking to Paul at Antigravity batteries UK, I went for the ATZ10. The USP Is the Re-Start fuunction which may come in handy for me as I tend not to condition my batteries over winter. It wiegted in at exactly 1kg on my bathroom scales as opposed to the Yuasa YTX12-BS which was 4kg. The AG went in easy, with a terminal post on each corner, so fitting is a doddle. There is now lots of room for the Power Commander 5 rather than sitting on top of the stock unit. Sub £200 for 3kg of wieght weight saving is ok in my book, and before I get any ‘go on a diet BS, im 6’1 and 79kg.
I've had a lithium ion battery in my America for four years. No problems. Another advantage is much higher CCA's 290' as against 90 odd from original battery that was installed from new.
Lithium ION battery very low self discharge during storage, 6 months unused without a tender no problem. They are tiny even with the mostly empty battery case, mine came with a variety of external spacer blocks to conform with a number of different battery sizes/shapes. The one I put in my sv650 was 9 lbs lighter than the lead acid. Only about $50 more than the lead acid, and it arrived in the mail. Three years old now.
The biggest advantage , they accept much higher initial charges ! You can high rate charge up for first 20 minutes or so , battery will take up to 80% of capacity of charge in first 20/30 minutes !!
Stuck it in straight out he box and left it for several days without starting the bike. The temp dropped to single digits and after the few days it cranked over no probs. It changes direction faster now. I really notice the difference when I have to dodge potholes and steel plates.
I put this battery in the bike recently and so far it seems to be working just fine. Bike starts as I’d expect and the lights on the dash are a bit brighter, that’s about it really. https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/triumph/thruxton_865_efi/12/picture/battery_motobatt_sealed_high_torque
Yup, I have a Motobatt in my Speed Triple, much better in colder weather as Lithium Ion hate the cold and discharge very quickly
I do have an optimate and had been using it regularly on the current bike with the original battery. Only reason I changed the battery is a couple of months ago I was having real problems starting the bike (as in it wouldn’t start) and after a minute or so of trying the battery was dead and back on the charger. For the sake of 50-60 quid thought I’d give it a go. Turns out the issue was something else but there you go I did actually replace the battery in the girlfriends scooter just before mine with one of the same brand and that actually made the world of difference, so guess I was hoping it would to mine.
