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  #1  
Old 20 Mar 2012
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Are you speaking of lithium ion or lithium iron? They are not the same thing.

Shorai is one manufacturer making lithium iron batteries. I bought the bullet and installed one in a DR-650 and one in a DR-Z400.

They are indeed *very* light and compact. Almost surprisingly so but that is in comparison with what we are used to.

I did read about the negative performance in cold weather. I can attest that I was starting the DR-Z well below freezing. Apparently they like to "warm up" -- i.e. run something with a draw for a few minutes (lights, grip heaters) and then fire it up. I was also a little surprised at how much cranking power I could get out if it when the bike was slow to start after sitting for several weeks. I suspect that the previous lead acid battery would have been drained at this point, or at least start to feel this way.

Anyways, I am definitely not trying to make a sales pitch.

That said, neither of these bikes have big adventures planned for them in their near future. *Personally* I don't feel that verdict is out yet. I have been pretty happy with the AGM battery in my KLR and its still works well after several years including a trip lasting several months.

I would love to hear feedback from others.

Adam
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Old 20 Mar 2012
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We just used Shorai batteries on a world record altitude expedition into the Andes. Every morning the temps were -10 c or so. We never had a problem starting the bikes (even at 6200 metres), but then we knew the starting procedure. You need to create some electrical drain on the battery to warm it up.

Put it this way, warming up a shorai battery is as simple as cranking it once or twice or running the headlight for 30 seconds. Warming up a lead acid battery is a case of sleeping with it in your sleeping bag, or sticking it in a hot tub of water for half an hour.
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Old 1 Apr 2012
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Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
We just used Shorai batteries on a world record altitude expedition into the Andes. Every morning the temps were -10 c or so. We never had a problem starting the bikes (even at 6200 metres), but then we knew the starting procedure. You need to create some electrical drain on the battery to warm it up.

Put it this way, warming up a shorai battery is as simple as cranking it once or twice or running the headlight for 30 seconds. Warming up a lead acid battery is a case of sleeping with it in your sleeping bag, or sticking it in a hot tub of water for half an hour.
Colebatch.. nice job on the Andes trip! which Shoria battery (LFX 36?) did you take and what bike was ridden?

doing a series of LiFePO4 battery tests. trying to gather much information as possible. especially under cold conditions.
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Old 4 Apr 2012
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Colebatch.. nice job on the Andes trip! which Shoria battery (LFX 36?) did you take and what bike was ridden?

doing a series of LiFePO4 battery tests. trying to gather much information as possible. especially under cold conditions.
We took Husaberg FE570s, batteries used were Shorai LFX14L2-BS12 ... 14 AH.

More info here: Andes Moto Extreme
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Old 6 Apr 2012
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We took Husaberg FE570s, batteries used were Shorai LFX14L2-BS12 ... 14 AH.

More info here: Andes Moto Extreme
NICE! .. a world record for motorcycle!!



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Old 10 Apr 2012
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Hi Walter,

And congrat for the record!

How would you rate these batteries reliability for a longer trip. I am currently preparing to do the Stans, Mongolia, and Siberia on your tracks over 4-5 months. Would the LiFePo4 be something to consider?

Kickaha
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Old 18 Apr 2012
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Check the charge rate
Batteries need to be charged at about 13.8vdc. Not sure what the voltage would be on your BMW, but it should be very close.
If your bike is charging the battery at too high a voltage it will easily cause the lifespan to be short.
So my advice is to when you have the battery replaced with whatever type - have the workshop check you charge voltage. Otherwise you will be back sooner than later.
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Old 18 Apr 2012
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Hi Walter,

And congrat for the record!

How would you rate these batteries reliability for a longer trip. I am currently preparing to do the Stans, Mongolia, and Siberia on your tracks over 4-5 months. Would the LiFePo4 be something to consider?

Kickaha
if you decide saving weight justifies expense. go with a LiFePO4 battery with enough amp hours for reserve.

Shorai LFX14 is pb eq or 1/3 actual = 4.2 amp hour. Lithium ion batteries which LiFePO4 is the safest chemistry. require learning new procedures to use. LFX 36 = 12 amp hour would be the minimum size I'd consider.

personally would never take a modern bike to remote locations with soooo many possible things to go wrong.

for instance getting a bad load of fuel in F800G/S with 12:1 compression can be a nightmare or a breeze... depending on if one knows how to handle the situation.

in these type situations extra amp hours are needed to crank engine over repeatedly to clear bad fuel and/or help diagnose problems.

then add a laundry list of other failure modes on modern bikes. diagnosing what's actually wrong will require all sorts of extended crank times. which requires extra amp hours of reserve power.

would not recommend any small LiFePO4 battery for adventuring. the larger ones with amp hour reserves approaching OEM batteries would be prudent.

if nothing goes wrong, then a smaller LiFePO4 battery with proper starting procedures can put out enough power. if something goes wrong, little to no amp hours are in reserve.
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Old 5 May 2012
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Originally Posted by kickaha View Post
Hi Walter,

And congrat for the record!

How would you rate these batteries reliability for a longer trip. I am currently preparing to do the Stans, Mongolia, and Siberia on your tracks over 4-5 months. Would the LiFePo4 be something to consider?

Kickaha
Ask me in 4 months time ... I am heading out the same way in a week - with a Shorai LiFePO4 battery installed.
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