Interesting battery

[Stromper]

BatteryTender.com


Seem to be available at only a 30% upcharge

I think Battery Tender is a responsible company

[Garandman]

I've been using EarthX in my Tiger 1050 since 2013. Deltran wasn't at all responsive to my questions about theirs.

EarthX, Inc. - Lithium Replacement Batteries for ATV, Motorcycles, Watercraft, Snowmobiles and Scooters (fits Harley, Suzuki, Buell, Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Ducati, BMW, and many others)

[xrocket21]

I use Lifep04 in my rc transmitters and they are great!

[reks95]

I put a lithium in my Street Triple. I think it's an Earth X.
Great in the summer. I hate starting the bike in the cold (<50F). Takes forever.
I don't ride that bike in the winter, so I'm happy with my purchase.
But seriously, cold starting is a pain in the ass.

[Garandman]

It will start my Tiger 1050 in 32-40 degrees, something the stock battery couldn't do with the famously slow-cranking 1050.

[Stromper]

I thought the Lithium trick was to leave the headlights on for a couple of minutes which heats the battery then it cranks

I do use my streetbike rarely down to 30 but I do I think I am in for a battery for my DRZ250 which has a
battery and a kick. I might do this for that.

[whynot]

It will start my Tiger 1050 in 32-40 degrees, something the stock battery couldn't do with the famously slow-cranking 1050.

When I was considering a 1050, I found 1050 forum threads about upgrading the starter cables ... maybe you know about it, someone makes a kit ... fyi ...

OK, here it is: 07-12 Tiger 1050 Starter Cable Kit | StoltecMoto


As to batteries, I use a Shorai LI in one of my kickstart Triumphs, for compact size, light weight, no acid, no maintenance, doesn't loose charge while sitting.

For my KLR 650, I've had excellent service from a "Big Crank" AGM from batterymart.com -- three years of use, running full heated gear through three winters. I started the bike in 20* last week, it cranks fast, and the bike started after 2 seconds of cranking. (I use a Battery Tender when bike sits.)

[Garandman]

I thought the Lithium trick was to leave the headlights on for a couple of minutes which heats the battery then it cranks

Just to clarify, these are LiFeP04 batteries we are talking about. It's not minutes, it's more like 30 seconds, usually.

When I was considering a 1050, I found 1050 forum threads about upgrading the starter cables ... maybe you know about it, someone makes a kit ... fyi ...

I bought the kit. But the voltage on the LiFeP04 batteries is higher so it cranks fine. I'll probably install them next season anyway.

Unless you are a "weight wienie" you have to keep the LiFe batteries a long time to justify the high initial cost. We have a 48V Life battery pack on my eBike and it weighs less than half what the SLA batteries did, has double the range, and has a charge-cycle life 5X greater. I've been using them for three years.

To my mind the AGM technology is tough to beat for cold weather price/performance. We have an Odyssey [Sears platinum] AGM in our minivan, and Optimas in my WRX and Outback. The Red Top is a great choice for the WRX because you take 15 lbs out of the front of the car (weight is 35 lbs). The Odyssey weighs a lot but has huge reserve capacity. That's important for the minivan because of all the power accessories.

[SwiftTone]

I was planning on picking up a Battery Tender 240cca lithium battery. Are there other brands that are better at same or lower cost of $100?

[GixerJockey]

I put a lithium in my Street Triple. I think it's an Earth X.
Great in the summer. I hate starting the bike in the cold (<50F). Takes forever.
I don't ride that bike in the winter, so I'm happy with my purchase.
But seriously, cold starting is a pain in the ass.

I thought the Lithium trick was to leave the headlights on for a couple of minutes which heats the battery then it cranks

I do use my streetbike rarely down to 30 but I do I think I am in for a battery for my DRZ250 which has a
battery and a kick. I might do this for that.

This is correct. Lithium batteries need to be up to temp before firing and engine. Turn on the key and run the headlight for 30 seconds before hitting the starter button. That will cure the cold start issues.