Shorai Battery LFX18A1 LFX

Discussion in '7th Generation 2010-Present' started by JBzRed07, Dec 5, 2012.

  1. Volfy

    Volfy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    Messages:
    160
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I had the LFX18A1 Shrai from another bike, so it was a no brainer to put on the VFR. I am blessed to be living in a warm clime, but winter mornings do get down into the 30's. I've never have any problems starting first click.

    No the weight savings probably isn't noticeable by itself, but add it up with the savings on replacing the stock muffler, and it's quite a bit. Overall, I'm happy with the Shorai. Compared to VFR's stock YUASA YTZ14S, which costs over $100, the Shorai isn't all that expensive.

    We don't have the problem of "winter storage" here, but I have several bikes, and there isn't enoug riding days in the week to love them all. So I normally install a charger lead on every bike I own. Since this Shorai has its own charge port, I didn't bother with a pig tail. Instead, I hook up the balance charger every 1-2 months to balance the cells. Regular chargers would work fine, as long as they do not have a desulfating mode that outputs more than 14.4V.

    IMG_0295.jpg
     
  2. Dangerous Dave

    Dangerous Dave New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2012
    Messages:
    420
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Centerville, Ohio...no...the other one
    I dunno, it's gotta be like damn near 3 lbs. That's a lot in my book.


    Tons of good info on Shorai's FAQ page. In a nutshell, "battery Tender" is fine, although generally unnecessary.
     
  3. Robclo

    Robclo New Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2012
    Messages:
    345
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    ON
    Map
    Especially up so high, wonder what difference it would make if I took 10 lbs off my belly?
     
  4. cornerexit

    cornerexit New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2013
    Messages:
    282
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Every few lbs of weight you can take off a motorcycle the better. Shamu needs all the help she can get.
     
  5. AKohler883

    AKohler883 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2013
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Reading, PA
    Yuasa's charger instructions state not to use on a Lithium battery.
    Voltage is different, and will damage the battery. (So will your own charging system in the bike eventually.)
    No lead-acid charger manufacturer wants that liability.
    Reseach "Lithium Battery Fire" on the internet and see how many hits you get.
    You could not pay me to put a Lithium battery under my seat.
    If it was a legitamate substitute, don't you think Honda would already be using it in bikes ?
    Now if you are strictly using it for racing .... than that's a different story.
     
  6. Porkchop

    Porkchop New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2010
    Messages:
    328
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Worthington, Ohio, United States
    Really interested in the Shorai right now. The battery on the Duc is toast and not pushing enough CCAs, so I guess I need to replace before the warm-up comes next week....
     
  7. Volfy

    Volfy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2012
    Messages:
    160
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    How do you feel about hanging a cellphone (with lithium battery) 2 inches from your, uh... family jewels?:smile:

    Not all Lithium batteries are the same. There are Lithium Polymer and Lithium Ion, then there is lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), which is what most of these automotive batteries are. Info on the different chemistry are all inline, for those who care to research. But... if you are just not comfortable with the idea, then by all means avoid them.

    Most conventional chargers will charge the Shorai just fine. If this is not the case, then your bike's own charging system will damage it. I've yet to hear one case where Shorai batts were damaged that way while installed on a bike. Again, the caveat is that the charger must not output more than 14.4V, and most automotive chargers won't. Ironically, only some of the smarter ones with "desulfating" modes will sometimes pulse higher voltage output in order to desulfate a lead acid battery.

    Personally, I wouldn't buy a replacement YUASA YTZ14S for $150, when I can get a Shorai for about the same price. I've had mine for a little more than 1-1/2yrs on 2 different bikes so far. Not one problem. I am waiting for the stock Yuasa on my SV1000S to die, so I can get a Shorai to replace it. That big V-twin uses an even bigger/heavier battery, so the weight savings will be even more substantial.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page