Anyone using the Ballistic EVO2 12 cell

Just wondering if anyone is using the Ballistic EVO2 12 cell in the VFR12? Are they good, bad or what? My OEM is on it's last legs, and the price over here for a replacement OEM is more than I can get an EVO2 for.

 

Can't say I ever investigated, but Shorai likes to tout that their cells are proprietary, while others like Ballistic just use cells that are made for rechargeable power tools. So far, very happy with the Shorai I bought recently for just slightly more than a replacement oem style.

 

i have been using the 8 cell for a few months now and all is well. i bought it primarily for the weight savings and it did the trick. those batteries are literally lighter than air.

 

I'm not gonna say it..................

 

Hi Dave, I'm interested in what you are not gonna say. All the reviews I have read on the EVO2 are mostly positive, the reduction in size and weight interest me, as it will give me more room for my Power Commander modules. The prices over here are over the $300 mark, plus we don't have a great range available over here, (SITUATION NORMAL)

Cheers Rusty

 

It had little to do with the battery, and more to do with the quoted sentence.

Think about it.

 

The ballistic charger/balancer is a lot nicer than the Shorai's. Then again, all I do is plug it in every couple of months to balance it, so the LCD screen and UI isn't all that necessary. Looks like Ballistic just relabeled an RC LiPo charger.

One good thing about the Shorai is that the battery terminals are very similar, if not exactly the same as the stock battery. The leads can be installed either on top or on the side. Plus the charge port faces up when installed in the VFR1200. I've had mine for about 2yrs now, and the VFR is the second bike it has been installed. No problem so far.

Just the other day I had a brain fart and tried to start the VFR repeated, not realizing I had bumped the Kill switch. I must have cranked about 10-12 times thinking there was something wrong with my bike. Shorai put up with it and showed no sign of slowing down.

 

I get you now, thought you were referring more on the battery side.

 

I remember hearing my first joke :wink:

 

how long did your OEM batteries last ??? mine is a year and a half old (10/2011) and still strong

 

G'day Ishark, mine gave me just under 3 yrs (6/2010). It still fires up OK after a charge if I flatten it, I don't use a trickle charger, maybe I should. It's just got no reserve, If I am doing anything with the PCV, etc. and I have trouble firing it up (which is not the norm) it just fades away to a clicking solenoid. I have heard that the Lithium's don't have great reserve capacity, I guess I will find out, possibly have to stop playing with it (won't happen) or get a balance charger. I ended up going for the Ballistic BTW, the size and reviews won me over.
Had to buy it from the US of course, 1: no one sells them here. 2: your prices are half ours, even with parity on the dollar.

Cheers Rusty

 

Did a bit of research and found that both batteries use the same BASE technology - Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), main difference being that in the Shorai and other brands using prismatic cells, the cells are flat (supposedly to use less space) no other perceived advantage, where, as you correctly stated the Ballistic cells are round, though not made for rechargeable power tools (according to Ballistic). If the Prismatic cells use less space, why are they the same size as the OEM battery? Shorai 18AH 270CCA 2.3lb-Ballistic 20AH 410CCA 2.3lb and smaller? The claims and spec's vary wildly for both depending on who's site you go to BTW.
Went for the Ballistic purely on size, I won't struggle filling up the space left over. Prices are approx. the same in the US, lucky I got in before our dollar dropped.

Cheers Rusty

 

All interesting stuff. I hope it serves a long and healthy life for you.
Cheers

 

Likewise, the one thing that did stand out was cold weather performance for all LiFePo batteries. Won't affect me, I don't know what it's like in Ohio!
While I have your attention, slightly off subject, you didn't tell me why you chose the juicebox. Plus on your other issue with the spatters you had all over your bike, be wary of solvents per se, IMHO I would be looking to use Graffiti removers made for plastics or painted surfaces and stuff like Goof Off (if you have it over there) for the harder spots. :biggrin:I do it on a regular basis in my working life.

 

Coldest day I rode this winter was 5* Fahrenheit...I believe that's about -15*C. Of course Monday it's supposed to be 83*F (28*C) and it's not even summer here yet. Summer highs typically in the mid to upper 90s F, occasionally hitting the century mark (38*C). So we get a pretty wide variance over the course of the year.

It does the same as the others for half the price. You just can't add any of the extra frills like Autotune, Ignition module, Traction Control, etc. But I'm not looking for those things...just looking to improve the low speed fueling. $200 USD to my door from Ebay. I hope to install it tomorrow. It's virtually identical to the Power Commander III I had on my FJR. No wonder, since it's made by Power Commander (Dynojet) for Two Bros. Except this one will hold up to ten maps and you just select them by turning a selector screw on the face. Also totally customizable on the maps and comes with software to do so. And you can make large scale changes to a map via three selector screws on the face...again, like a PCIII USB.

Ya know, I hadn't actually thought to try Goof Off, but that's not a bad idea. I think I have some around the garage somewhere. The bug remover I used so far hasn't been two harsh on the paint, but it also hasn't been harsh enough to get the gunk off the stubborn spots. Thanks for the tip!

 

YTZ14S: 150x87x110
Shorai LFX18A1-BS12: 148x66x105

Shorai uses the same case size for several different models, so some are probably not as small as they could be. Most mfrs do this. Yuasa YTZ14S is exactly the same size as the YTZ12S. Shorai shapes their battery to be very similar to the stock lead acid batts they replace. Some bikes used plastic brackets to tie down their batts, instead of (or in addition to) elastic straps. The Aprilia RSV1000R I had was like that. Shorai fit the OEM bracket, but most other Lithium batts didn't.

As for specs, as you said, they vary widely depending who's number you believe. I wouldn't take them literally or try to compare different mfrs' specs. They are usually "equivalent" test numbers meant to correlate to lead acid with similar performance. Different mfrs use different test methods. Shorai is pretty upfront about theirs: Shorai FAQ

At the end of the day, if the batt works well for you, that's all that matters. I've had Shorai in 2 bikes so far, and they work well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

 

Fitted the EVO2. Love it!!

Chose the EVO due to the size, so I could fit my modules around it. Boy does it work. The difference in size and weight is freakish, I thought they had sent me a toy battery when I opened the box!
This was the fugly layout as was, they are very stingy as far as any extra cable length on the modules, as those who have them would know
The extra space was awesome, heaps of space for modules, tool kit, spare tyre etc.
The finished fit, with USB cables attached to modules for easy plug in.

BTW the battery Ballistic have listed is INCORRECT, unfortunately I did not find out till mine had arrived, (though I did question the supplier about the terminal positioning initially) anyway as my signature says, it now does fit.
The speed that the motor spins and starts at is incredible.

Anyone looking for a replacement battery I would thoroughly recommend the EVO2, but make sure that the POS is on the right.:biggrin:

Cheers Rusty