The CB1100 Community Forum

Ok folks, first I am going to say up front, I am no Lithium Ion battery expert. So, I am going to pass on my research and observations on the subject, and everyone can draw their own conclusions as well as chime in with additional info and/or experiences with this type battery.

I had contemplated replacing the tried and true stock Yuasa battery with one of the new lithium ion batteries when I noted the tremendous difference in CCA ( cold cranking amps ) between Lead Acid ( LA ) and Lithium Ion ( LI ) batteries. Just as an example a Yuasa LA battery might be 65 CCA, whereas the comparable size LI battery might be 150 CCA. Naturally this started my research and it produced some unexpected results.

In reading some of the reviews on various batteries there were some incidences of the battery causing a fire under the seat. Were those incidents the result of bad wiring on the bike ( voltage regulator ), improper charging, improper installation, who knows? LI batteries have a series of cells inside the case. If charging is initiated with one or more cells at a higher charge than the rest, then that cell or cells can be overcharged before the other cells in the battery catch up and reach full charge. This problem can be managed with a BMS ( battery management system ) built into the battery that balances the cells and protects against under and overcharging. Not all LI batteries have BMS. Here is a link to a YouTube video that does a pretty good job of explaining the situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIuX-M7aM-g

Some LI batteries I looked at said that regular LA chargers and trickle/maintainer chargers could be used with their batteries. More often than not however, the message was to use a dedicated charger like the Shorai mentioned in the YouTube video, or a charger/maintainer specifically made for use with LI batteries.

Apparently numerous LI batteries are made by the same parent company, Skybridge, WPS, WPS Fire Power, Shido and Deltran to name a few. This was speculated in the YouTube video linked below, but I could not find any supporting documentation. The video mentions that the WPS battery has BMS, but I did not find that feature in the batteries specs or description. What it does have is a push button LED charge level indicator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp3Vhrr0b3Q

Among its other quirks, I discovered that LI batteries tolerate heat and vibration well, but cold puts them to sleep. The LI solution to cold, is to turn the headlight on for 1 minute or so, then turn it off. This wakes the battery up, and starting can then be accomplished. From what I saw, a "good" LI battery will be significantly more expensive than a comparable quality LA battery.

Here is my take on the situation, and what I have decided for myself: The LI battery's main claims to fame seem to be lighter weight, and more cranking amps. While those parameters might be important on a race bike, or a custom bike where battery space is at a premium, they make little to no difference for me. The Yuasa battery is a quality battery, with a proven track record, and as with most of us long time riders, everyone knows what to expect with a LA batteries and how to properly maintain them. I will stay with what I know and am comfortable with for the time being. Perhaps at some time in the future when LI batteries have a more established track record, along with the refinements that come with time, I might consider it.

IF I were to go with a LI battery today I would:
Look at Shorai https://shoraipower.com/ or Antigravity https://antigravitybatteries.com/product.../atz10-rs/
Both of these batteries have cell balancing, and both have BMS systems. I would not even consider a LI battery that did not have BMS with cell balancing.

IF I were to go with a LI battery today I would:
Look at Antigravity first because it is more upgraded tech than the older tech Shorai. The Antigravirty also has a "restart" feature explained in the video, and a remote restart key fob will be available for it soon. Down side, is it is pricey. In the case of the Shorai, I would DEFINITELY buy and use ONLY the dedicated charger. Although older tech, Shorai has a good track record. In the case of the Antigravity, or any other LI battery other than Shorai, I would DEFINITELY buy and use ONLY a charger/trickle/maintainer specifically made for LI batteries.

Like I said, I am no expert so feel free to express any difference of opinion. As with many other things, this is a different strokes for different folks thing. In any case I hope the info is useful.

Call me old fashioned, and maybe an old stick-in-the-mud, but I get great service from Yuasa batteries (and have for nearly 30 years) so I have no plans to change.
My mind isn't closed to modern technology, but for now, I see no need to change.

(11-26-2019, 04:57 AM)Rocky_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Call me old fashioned, and maybe an old stick-in-the-mud, but I get great service from Yuasa batteries (and have for nearly 30 years) so I have no plans to change.
My mind isn't closed to modern technology, but for now, I see no need to change.

Glad to know I am not the only old fashioned stick in the mud Rocky.

Thanks for sharing your research, 2017EX. The only member I can think of who has a lithium ion battery is Flynrider. My recollection is that he has been very pleased with it.

(11-26-2019, 05:26 AM)2017EX_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-26-2019, 04:57 AM)Rocky_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Call me old fashioned, and maybe an old stick-in-the-mud, but I get great service from Yuasa batteries (and have for nearly 30 years) so I have no plans to change.
My mind isn't closed to modern technology, but for now, I see no need to change.

Glad to know I am not the only old fashioned stick in the mud Rocky.

Glad to know I am not the only old fashioned stick in the mud Rocky.
I'm sure each and every one of us has a list of items, features and devices on his motorcycle that he feels need some improvement. I am quite confident that there is not a singe one around with the ol' lead acid battery an sich at the top of that list.

I'm with you guys. I believe if Honda felt LI offered an improvement over LA, that's how the bike would have come from the factory. I don't see the point in spending money to improve something that isn't broken.

I am also very fond of yuasa oe batteries and will continue to use them.

however

on the FJR, for some inane reason they stuck the battery up in the fairing. That is a lot of weight up high. To me that would be the perfect place for a light weight battery like one of these new tech batts. I picked up one at the shop the other day and I'm telling you it weighed nothing. Like holding air. It was incredibly light.

I think Flynrider has gone to an LI battery and is very pleased with it. He lives in the desert though where the heat kills AGM batts very quickly.

Race bikes I say yes LI, every 7 lbs = 1 HP.

I'd like the weight savings on my bike but it's to little of a gain and not high enough up.

I am a fan of LI batteries, I drive a 16 Focus Electric. Only smart thing I've ever bought, 13 grand new and 3 cents a mile.


ACK

(11-26-2019, 05:26 AM)2017EX_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-26-2019, 04:57 AM)Rocky_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Call me old fashioned, and maybe an old stick-in-the-mud, but I get great service from Yuasa batteries (and have for nearly 30 years) so I have no plans to change.
My mind isn't closed to modern technology, but for now, I see no need to change.

Glad to know I am not the only old fashioned stick in the mud Rocky.

Glad to know I am not the only old fashioned stick in the mud Rocky. Count me in too on the OEM Yuasa batteries , only buys the ones made in Japan.

(11-26-2019, 07:31 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I am also very fond of yuasa oe batteries and will continue to use them.

however

on the FJR, for some inane reason they stuck the battery up in the fairing. That is a lot of weight up high. To me that would be the perfect place for a light weight battery like one of these new tech batts. I picked up one at the shop the other day and I'm telling you it weighed nothing. Like holding air. It was incredibly light.

I think Flynrider has gone to an LI battery and is very pleased with it. He lives in the desert though where the heat kills AGM batts very quickly.

Same on my F800GT. They put the fuel tank underneath the seat, then plopped the heavy AGM up where the fuel tank is normally located.