Typical battery lifespan?

[luciano136]

Just wondering how many months/years you guys get out of your battery? I already have the upgraded R/R (R1 unit) but it sounds like my battery is starting to go (startup is getting slower).

My battery (OEM) lasted 1 year and 1 month (about 10k mi). Is that normal?

I'll check the charge tonight with the bike running; I'm expecting to see a voltage right around 14v since that's what I got when I upgraded to the new R/R over a year ago...

[Sp00ky]

Get a Shorai lithium ion battery and throw the OEM one away.

The Shorai is smaller, lighter and i've had mine in the bike for two years now.

It never fails to spin the motor up, rain, hail or shine.

I've done plenty of map changing as well with the little Shorai, no problems at all.

You don't need to charge them, they hold their charge unused for a year!

Fantastic batteries, recommended.



S.

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by Sp00ky

Get a Shorai lithium ion battery and throw the OEM one away....

Does this battery require a special charger?

[Disrupt]

I believe they require a balanced charger, atleast that is what is recommended for my ballistic evo2. they range from ~$30 to the more expensive LCD equipped charger which is well over $100

[tooblekain]

My OEM lead acid battery lasted as long as I had the bike. The battery was ALWAYS on a tender when not in use.

[Tex2k2013]

Originally Posted by Neanderthal

Does this battery require a special charger?

I can't for the life of me think of a reason why you'd need one. They drain very, very slowly. Like Sp00ky said, you can leave it plugged in for a year without firing and it will still start the engine.

I'll second Sp00ky, Shorais are worth every penny you pay for them. Long maintenance-free life, plus it's extremely small and light.

[Hogndos]

Twelve years on my Road King and Norton keeping it on a Battery Tender at all times. Every vehicle I own that is not used on a daily basis gets a Battery Tender. Best investment for trouble free riding in my opinion. Prior to using BT's, I would typically get three seasons from a battery. If I was lucky.....

[luciano136]

I never had to change the battery in my SV. I have a feeling it is sub-par electronic parts in the Triumph. Maybe the stator puts too much stress on batteries killing them prematurely, not sure? The stock R/R I had definitely did; it destroyed a new battery in 3 months.

I ride about 4 days a week year round, so I really shouldn't need a battery tender.

[khr]

Originally Posted by tooblekain

My OEM lead acid battery lasted as long as I had the bike. The battery was ALWAYS on a tender when not in use.

+1. I have an 09, keep it on a Battery Tender when not in use, and I'm still running the original, OEM battery.

[nelson]

+1 for Shorai

I've have mine in my bike for well over a year, and I ride daily year round... love it! I did drain my Shorai once when I accidentally left the parking lights on all night and my bike didn't have enough juice to start the next morning. Hooked it up to a relatively common Battery Tender JR for a couple hours, and it was like it never happened.

I do sometimes run into trouble starting the bike on the coldest days here in SoCal (when it gets into the 50s) where I may have to wait a few minutes to let the battery "wake up" before it will turn the engine over. Most lithium batteries are similar, not a major concern.