Lithium battery

When I went to get my bike from the previous owner, the battery was dead and according to the previous, it wouldn't take a charge. I had the wrong battery along, which worked enough to get it running but wouldn't fit in the battery box. It was too tall. On my way home, I stopped at an advance auto parts, and they offered a lithium that had a higher amp/ hour rating and almost a 1/3 higher cca. It ran me $125.00 out the door. Dropped it in when I got home and it cranked it up really quick! I'm very happy with it so far. The bike usually resides in my heated shop, so I've only started it up in relatively warm conditions. I like the idea of the weight loss also. Darn can't weigh 2 lbs. It also has charge indicator lights similar to a newer milwaukee cordless tool. I'll be looking for a charger for the winter months because I'm sure a standard battery charger will not be a good idea.
Anyway, thought I'd share this tidbit, in case anyone was wondering about them before shelling out the cash.

 

Yep, you did good, it's the way things are heading.. I'll be getting one when mine bites it.

 

Lithium batteries are very nice indeed. They also don't drop current when sitting over the winter, which is nice. However, if your battery is anything like the one I had in my old bike DO NOT let the battery lose too much power. By the nature of lithium if it drains too much it transforms to a paperweight. The battery I had did have a smart controller, but when you're pulling full amperage like cranking the motor I guess it doesn't stop that draw and you can kill your battery. Also, obviously, never ever short your battery. It is always a good thing to avoid, but these batteries heat up very very quickly and stay hot for long time. I accidentally did this when I was building a wiring harness for one of my old project bikes('84 kz440 rat bobber thing, it was a $400 turd bucket) for about 5 seconds before I just yanked the battery and broke the harness. It was very hot and even after taking a trip to the freezer for a while it stayed that way. Luckily, I did not fry the battery and luckily, it did not decide to catch fire in my freezer.

 

Or melt your ice cream!

 

I've worked with Lithium batteries for a long time now in the hobby sector.

As others have indicated, never drop your battery below 25% capacity (mAh). If you do, you run the risk of permanently destroying the cells.

Also keep in mind, that if you puncture a lithium or allow it to go into thermal run away - you risk lighting yourself on fire. They are extremely volatile, as a result, I'm not in favor of them to be used in a motorcycle at this time. I've seen a lot of radio controlled helicopters explode in mid air or on the ground when crashed.

[video=youtube;B-AoAYrEy-o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-AoAYrEy-o[/video]

 

Slooooooooooow down Mr. Jeff!

I have only seen Li-Ion and LIFEP04 so far, which are far safer than the Li-Polymers referenced in the video.

No battery is zero risk or infallible of course, but the Li-Po info doesn't apply here yet.

The manufacturers are well aware how volatile and touchy Li-Pos are, and won't be using them in many applications.

I flew a few today, and no catastrophes