What is a decent lithium-Ion Battery?

[bandit1990]

I'm after one because by current battery is pretty shabby and it's also really heavy for what it is. I'm seeing SkyRich, Shido and SPS as the main contenders.

I know the weight difference won't be massive between them but can anyone recommend one?

Cheers

[P.addy]

Varta, Yuasa or Motobatt.

[-]

Can standard lead acid batteries just be replaced with Li-ion then?
I thought the charging might be different.

I ran a 4ah 14.8V NiMh pack on my total loss ignition race bike, but that needed it's own charger.
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TZR250 2MA road, TZR250 1KT road, TZR250 2MA race, TDR250, YZF-750R Boost colours.
Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[rcbikeracer]

I'm thinking of getting this for my Skorpion

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272185478085?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[tom_e]

[wots]

All three of my main bikes have one. From a 125 MSX with a high compression overbore (extra cranking needed) to a fireblade. With a selection of 3 and choices based on weather etc. a bike can be sat unused for 2-3 weeks.

Jump on and go, on all of them, no problem. Two of them have data tool alarms.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[Beehive Bedlam]

I wouldn't care (unless track bike) about how heavy the battery was. You're just throwing money away replacing a battery assuming it still works for the sake of it.

[wots]

[G]

[Pigeon]

[kramdra]

Seen quite a few li battery reviews showing the insides. I am *not* convinced any brand has charging done properly/safely, but li-fe cells almost make that redundant.

Seems a bit silly when a 25 quid motobatt will last 5 years

[temeluchus]

I have a JMT lithium in the GSXR and it works great.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I have a Shido in my R1, it's great. Weight saving is huge, cranking amps are good. Happy days. It's been in there for 9 months with no issues.
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[c-m]

The Shido ones appear to be pretty good. I know of one person using a 4ah one on a KTM 950 adventure. Reports are good so far.

[jjdugen]

Lipo is a bit on the dodgy side, especially with the raw nature of a motorcycle charging system. The safer bet is Metal Hydroxide cells. Same kind of charging parameters as lead acid, safe disposal (non toxic), just as powerful and light as Lipo and cheaper. Guess what I use....
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Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[G]

Just been reading up a bit - there is an issue with chargers.

What you have to be careful of is a fancy charger with a de-sulficiation mode that has high voltage spikes not all do, but some do so it's worth checking.

It should be ok if the battery is just kept on the 'trickle' function, but certainly worth being careful.

[wots]

If you actually NEED to charge a Lithium battery. You are doing it wrong or your bike has a serious current draw when not running.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[G]

When left for extended periods (over winter say) with alarms, some bikes do.

While you can discharge a lithium battery to around 80% rather than the 50% recommendation for lead acid, typically they'll have a lower amp hour rating as they provide high amps per amphour.
(I've got one that'll do around 500A from 4.2Ah - while you're usually talking about 200A from 12Ah for lead acid I believe.)

If a battery is kept topped up on a trickle charger, it still shouldn't be an issue - but seen at least one report where that's caused issues.

[wots]

As a follow-up.

Fireblade has been in the garage for two months, with the alarm armed, went to it this morning and it started first go.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[G]

Went to charge one of my JMT batteries and checked - it's a LifePo4 so less likely to blow up and should last longer than Lipo.

Also has similar maximum charging voltage to a lead acid battery.

[wots]

All mine are the JMT models, literally can't fault them. My MSX struggled when it was -4 the other day, high compression and low temperature is hard going. But 3 or 4 short bursts and off it goes.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[Hong Kong Phooey]

I sourced a JMT for the cbr, went a touch higher on the capacity. Been great even in this cold weather fires up strong on the button. 2 kg lighter doesn't do any harm.
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[mentalboy]