which ballistic battery to get? 8-cell? or 12-cell?

[seanster]

Thanks!

[scduc]

It's really going to depend on what bike you have, The larger the cc or the larger the compression, the more power you are going to need to turn it over. that being said, I have an S2R 1k and even thought they say that an 8 cell will work, I am leaning towards the 12 just for the fact that I do run in some cold weather riding and the last thing I need is for my bike not to start because I wanted to save a couple bucks.

[He Man]

I have a 12 cell powering an EVO1100 Single Spark motor.

it does the job, but there are reservations. in 30 degree weather takes about a minute to start up. I routinely ride into the teens and single digits, i dont think the battery will work all that well in that weather to be honest.

[memper]

You can make your own for a fraction of the cost

[kopfjäger]

You can make your own for a fraction of the cost

[seanster]

I have a 750 and live in south tx so cold weather would be a problem.

I have read and bought about making my own but don't trust my soldering skill.

[memper]

http://www.triumphrat.net/sprint-forum/168849-diy-lifepo4-battery.html
Decent read on one fellas journey in making his own. Soldering is easy if you keep things clean before and after and use the right kind of solder. A123 batteries are what you want (most reliable) and can be easily found on eBay. Videos on how to make them are on YouTube. I'm gonna make one (with documentation) over the winter so for summer riding I can ditch my 14lb Odyssey.
Seems it has been tackled here (obviously):
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=44873.0
**edit: if anyone cares...the ones from china on eBay are bogus (surprise!). A123 Systems do not distribute in china.
But these guys have the real deal at good prices:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6444__GENUINE_A123_Systems_26650A_LiFePo4_Cell_w_tabs.html

[BastrdHK]

I have the 12 cell Ballistic....definitely needed in my opinion for the 900.  I like the extra cranking amps and the 1/2lb and $30 difference was not enough to sway me.

[He Man]

even with the 12cell, its hard to start my bike.

i really dislike the whole cold starting procedure. I have to turn it on, give it a crank. wait 10-15 seconds ish for it recover. do ita gain, maybe 3 times before it will start.

[ChrisK]

I have the 12 cell and a 98 M900, and at 33 degrees this morning my bike started after about 3 seconds of cranking. However, when the temps dip down below 30, I have to resort to the cold starting procedure Ballistic shows on their website. It works, hasn't failed me yet, but it still makes you uncomfortable on a cold morning.

[Bill in OKC]

I have an 8 cell for my S4Rs and it still works after 3 years now.  It is a Maviryk from before Bellisimoto started carrying them.  I have not used it much below 50 degrees so I can't say how well it works there.  It works great when I've ridden it.  I balance charge it about every 6 months - had to get a special charger to do that.

[He Man]

I have the 12 cell and a 98 M900, and at 33 degrees this morning my bike started after about 3 seconds of cranking. However, when the temps dip down below 30, I have to resort to the cold starting procedure Ballistic shows on their website. It works, hasn't failed me yet, but it still makes you uncomfortable on a cold morning.

is your bike garaged?

in 30 degrees my bike tkaes forever to start, but im pretty sure its a fueling issue since i have a fully custom dyno map.

[seanster]

with these cell battery, we don't need special charger or anything correct (dyi or ballistic)?

edit:  was thinking about buying these...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221010231866&autorefresh=true

[ChrisK]

is your bike garaged?

in 30 degrees my bike tkaes forever to start, but im pretty sure its a fueling issue since i have a fully custom dyno map.

Not garaged. Sits underneath a deck with a light cover on it. Rode it to work yesterday at 7:50 am-ish and it was about 26 degrees outside. Didn't start on the first 4-5 seconds of cranking. Let it sit for 10-15 seconds. Started on about the 2nd second of cranking the second time around. If that makes sense? Choked all the way.