Quote from: koko64 on June 22, 2011, 03:21:59 AM
Reckon I can get away with the next smaller size in my M900?

The early 2 valve bikes (M900 included) has a weaker charging system and starter ratio that draws more power than the new bikes.

I would get the Shorai Lithium Iron Battery LFX18L1-BS12 . It will have more starting power , more reserve and last longe than a smaller battery. Still only weighs 2.12 lbs and measures 5.83"x2.6"x4.13".

-M

Quote from: moto on June 22, 2011, 12:33:33 PM
The early 2 valve bikes (M900 included) has a weaker charging system and starter ratio that draws more power than the new bikes.

I would get the Shorai Lithium Iron Battery LFX18L1-BS12 . It will have more starting power , more reserve and probably last longer than a smaller battery. Still only weighs 2.12 lbs and measures 5.83"x2.6"x4.13".

-M

I'd like to get one in the L2 size, but there is no LFX18L2-BS12, only the BS6 - 6v battery.  No luck?  or am I missing something?  It looks like if I want the L2 size, the biggest available is the LFX14L2-BS12

Quote from: j v on June 22, 2011, 12:57:26 PM
I'd like to get one in the L2 size, but there is no LFX18L2-BS12, only the BS6 - 6v battery.  No luck?  or am I missing something?  It looks like if I want the L2 size, the biggest available is the LFX14L2-BS12

You're asking for the high power in the small case.
Shorai doesn't appear to make that:

http://www.shoraipower.com/images/product/lfxspecs.pdf

Quote from: j v on June 22, 2011, 12:57:26 PM
I'd like to get one in the L2 size, but there is no LFX18L2-BS12, only the BS6 - 6v battery.  No luck?  or am I missing something?  It looks like if I want the L2 size, the biggest available is the LFX14L2-BS12

What bike do you have?
The application chart below will give you the correct application based on orientation of the terminals:
http://motowheels.com/downloads/shorai_2010.pdf

Choose the largest battery offered if you are going to use it on the street. Some bikes do not have a smaller option.
There is very little weight difference between all the sizes. They are all smaller than stock so unless you are moving the battery to a different location, there really is no need to get a smaller size. I'd rather have the extra capacity.

-M

different location... using a yuasa 7 series right now, which is the same as the L2 in size and polarity.   

Are you using a YTZ7S?

All of the Shorai have more cranking power than the YTZ7S.

The Shorai Lithium Iron Battery LFX14L2-BS12
and the Shorai Lithium Iron Battery LFX18L1-BS12 both have Neg/pos configuration like the YTZ7S.

The  LFX18L1-BS12 is slightly larger than the LFX14L2. If you can get it to fit, it would be worthwhile for the extra reserve capacity.

Specs and polarity is on our website. If you need other info, please contact matt@motowheels.com or call the shop at 916.369.2509.
I'm away from the shop but the others will be there 9-5 Monday through Friday.

I got the LFX14 in both size cases. Larger one for my S2R and the smaller one for the track SV.  I'm very pleased

Quote from: moto on June 22, 2011, 05:18:47 PM
Are you using a YTZ7S?

All of the Shorai have more cranking power than the YTZ7S.

The Shorai Lithium Iron Battery LFX14L2-BS12
and the Shorai Lithium Iron Battery LFX18L1-BS12 both have Neg/pos configuration like the YTZ7S.

The  LFX18L1-BS12 is slightly larger than the LFX14L2. If you can get it to fit, it would be worthwhile for the extra reserve capacity.

Specs and polarity is on our website. If you need other info, please contact matt@motowheels.com or call the shop at 916.369.2509.
I'm away from the shop but the others will be there 9-5 Monday through Friday.

Yes, currently that yuasa - which turns over the standard compression fine, but could certainly be improved. I'll look into modifying the battery compartment I've made to fit the L1 size.  I'd like to get the 18 if possible as I hope to run higher compression, and with flatslides, it doesn't exactly jump to life

Quote from: j v on June 23, 2011, 07:46:26 AM
Yes, currently that yuasa - which turns over the standard compression fine, but could certainly be improved. I'll look into modifying the battery compartment I've made to fit the L1 size.  I'd like to get the 18 if possible as I hope to run higher compression, and with flatslides, it doesn't exactly jump to life

I used to use the YTZ7S on a on a 944 motor with hi comp pistons, twin plug heads and flatslides. I would sometimes kill the battery trying to start it if I had not run the bike for awhile.

I now use the Shorai Lithium Iron Battery LFX18L1-BS12 . No problems now.

-M

I'm trying a Shorai LFX14L2-12. I chose the LFX14 coz it's the equivalent to the YTX12-BS gel battery I was running. It just became available down here. It turns my bike over no probs with Hi comp and FCRs. Strangely, it turns the bike over just as easily with the headlight on as it does with it off. Very strange. Maybe one of you sparkies can explain it to me.

It is small enough for me to run pods if I want coz I can fit the coils in the battery box with the Ignition as well. No special bracketry needed. 730 grams Vs 4 kilos. That's over 3 kilos from high on the bike. I wish I could drop weight off my wheels and tank that cheap.

I will try out the competitor brand when it becomes available down under and do a long term comparo so I know what to recommend to customers.

Koko,

That's normal re the light.  Fancy batteries like the Shorai like to have a bit of draw to get them awakened from their slumber before they have to do the heavy lifting - think of it like your morning espresso or a warm-up before an exercise routine (shorai has a technical description on their site if the chemistry interests you).  In fact on cold mornings you'll find it cranks better if you leave the headlight on for a bit before trying to crank the motor over.

That's amazing and caught me by surprise, for sure.
It is a good characteristic of the battery for bikes with hard wired lights as many down here have.
Cheers.

I have had the Shorai LFX18A1-BS12 in my 09 M1100 for over a month.  After first installing the battery, it started up fine.  I rode the bike to work and had a hard time starting the bike that evening to ride home.  It sounded like it was turning, but the bike would not fire up.  After about 10 tries, it worked.  I figured it might have come from the factory on a low charge, they claim it comes 90% charged.  So I hooked up the Shorai charger over night.  After charging, I disconnected the charger and the bike sat for a week.  When I went to start it after that, it fired right up.  So I thought I had the issue solved.  I took the bike for a long ride, about 500 miles, that day.  A week later when I went to start the bike up again, it turned, but did not start.  This time I tried 30 times, but it would not start.  I ended up having to plug in the charger and wait.  To its credit, the voltage on the battery started out at 13V and never dropped very much.

I took the bike in for its 7500 mile service at Nichols and asked them to check the battery or anything else it could be.  They said the battery seemed to charge well, but that they would test it again.  I told them that if they cannot find a reason for these issues to switch me back to a regular battery.  I'm about to go for a 5k mile trip in a week and I do not have the patients for dealing with this issue. 

By the way, I do not have any accessories on the bike that could be drawing the batter while it sits.

Dumb q:

Are you using a 'normal' charger or the special one for the Shorai?

Quote from: Drunken Monkey on July 22, 2011, 10:55:08 AM
Dumb q:

Are you using a 'normal' charger or the special one for the Shorai?

I am using Shorai's special charger which charges the cells in parallel not in series.  I have always wondered what about when the bike charges the battery.  Wouldn't the bike's alternator charge the cells in series?