Light weight SV battery suggestions

[brianbmw]

My SV 650 needs a new battery. I ride mostly street but do about 10 track days a year. I'm thinking a light weight version such as Antigravity or Ballistic 8 cell might be a good option. Are these reliable batteries even in the cold?

Brian

[SquadraCorse]

I've run a ballistic 8 cell in my DRZ rally bike for 2 years and it's been flawless. Incredibly light and tons of cranking power. When the BMW needs a new battery it will be getting one as well.

[brianbmw]

Shorai looks like another option to consider.

Brian

[Trouble]

Shorai looks like another option to consider.

Brian

This. Shorai batteries have treated me well.

[Garandman]

I looked at all the LiFeP04 brands before I bought one.

The brand I bought is EarthX. They have a real two year warranty - it's not pro-rated. They can be charged with a standard charger and have over and under current circuits. They recommend the ETX18C for the SV.

http://earthxmotorsports.com/product...ry/motorcycle/

The 18 was also recommended for the Tiger but I got a 24 series. I did a test with the Tiger 1050 by leaving the battery in the bike for 6 weeks without charging. Then I pulled it out when it was 20 degrees, let it cold soak, and it started right up.

I have an Antigravity jump start pack [MicroStart - very cool] and the EarthX costs more than most of those others, but it was worth it to me to get the best available.

[brianbmw]

I looked at all the LiFeP04 brands before I bought one.

The brand I bought is EarthX. They have a real two year warranty - it's not pro-rated. They can be charged with a standard charger and have over and under current circuits. They recommend the ETX18C for the SV.

http://earthxmotorsports.com/product...ry/motorcycle/

The 18 was also recommended for the Tiger but I got a 24 series. I did a test with the Tiger 1050 by leaving the battery in the bike for 6 weeks without charging. Then I pulled it out when it was 20 degrees, let it cold soak, and it started right up.

I have an Antigravity jump start pack [MicroStart - very cool] and the EarthX costs more than most of those others, but it was worth it to me to get the best available.

Thanks Dana, I trust your research. I like that the EarthX has a protection circuit.

Brian

[Garandman]

Designed with SolidWorks, btw.

Advrider pendantic Megathread.

[Kurlon]

I'm running a Ballistic in my race bike. No stator, it gets charged by a regular old Batt Tender Jr. I've also go the Ballistic branded balance charger, but I've yet to see it need it, the owner of Ballistic said I'm nuts for even bothering with balance charges with the tiny variations I get between cells. So, I don't.

[marshdrummer]

Am I reading this correctly? - It doesn't matter which terminals you use for + and -?

[Kurlon]

No, no you are absolutely not reading that correctly. Get the polarity wrong, pay a big smoking fine.

[marshdrummer]

Just re-checked. It says 'universal fitment, no left or right polarities'. they're talking fitment, not positive/negative....

[stanga5o]

I'm also in the market for a lightweight battery for my SV650 so I'm interested to hear others' recommendations and experiences. So far, I'm considering the Ballistic or Shorai. I'll probably wait until closer to March (when I'll actually be riding again) so that I don't waste some of the warranty period, but I'll post up my thoughts once I get one.

[marshdrummer]

I ran an alien motion 8 cell in my race SV for 1 season before I got rid of the bike....worked flawlessly

[Garandman]

Keep in mind that Shorai is less expensive than EarthX, but has only a six month replacement warranty. While they have a "three year" warranty, they pro-rate it starting at six months.

Just re-checked. It says 'universal fitment, no left or right polarities'. they're talking fitment, not positive/negative....

On the EarthX, the terminals are in the middle and they have add on terminals so you can mount it any which-way.

LiFe P04 batteries are freakishly small and light compared to SLA. They are expensive but EarthX ships them USPS Priority Mail so you get it in a day or two at low shipping cost.

There are WRX guys using these are starting batteries (summer only) to save weight in the nose of the car. It's a cheap way to get 40 lbs off the front axle.

[The Snowman]

Shorai is a good choice. I've been using one in my SV for the past 2 seasons. I also use their charger, because it charges each cell individually, as these should be done.

However, you have to know that you have to treat them gently. If you use their charger, make sure the plug is the right way. Just one backward connection shorts out the charger. (ask me how i know)

Also, watch that positive terminal. Don't ground it out, ir you may toast the electronics inside the battery. (ask me how I know)

[The Snowman]

BTW, Amazon has them for $152, shipped, which is $38 off retail. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058EBVXS/..._M3T1_ST1_dp_1

This is the heavier duty battery w/ more amps. It's .4 pounds heavier than the lighter duty battery.

[Chippertheripper]

BTW, Amazon has them for $152, shipped, which is $38 off retail. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058EBVXS/..._M3T1_ST1_dp_1

This is the heavier duty battery w/ more amps. It's .4 pounds heavier than the lighter duty battery.

It's pretty ridiculous the hd battery is only half pound more.
I tried a 8 cell ballistic in my Ducati...it didn't work out so well with that big lump.
It's happy in my 2t though. Ringading!!

[Stromper]

I know nothing BUT

I read that Lithiums routinely exposed to running under 13 Volts will result in early death and/or barbeque

I know from my signal dynamics that

IDLE, Gerbing, stop lamps and I dip into the 12v's

[Kurlon]

12v operation won't kill them, but it won't recharge them fully either. If you're sustaining 12v for extended periods you're not charging your AGM or Lead Acid battery either though...

[Puppet]

I'll chime in another +1 for Shorai.

Running it in my track R6 and my street VStrom. Had both for about two years now and they've worked perfectly. I have a lot of shit hooked up on my Strom and I was killing batteries (my fault, I'm bad with putting them on a charger). When I talked with the Shorai guys, we went to the next larger size over their 'stock equivalant' and it's been great....even if I don't plug it in, it always starts right up