Track/Race Bike Batteries

[OneCheekRider]

Well, after 6+ years my battery in my R6 trackbike is toast. I figure I should spend a few extra bucks and get something lighter and better suited for the track. What do you suggest and where are good places to purchase?

Thanks!

[GingahNinjah]

Buy a Shorai and spend the extra to get the charger... the battery is pricy but great bang for the buck and lighter than any other battery on the market by pounds!

[Chippertheripper]

I have a ballistic I bought from Justin at adrenaline. So far so good.

[The Snowman]

I like Shorai as well, but I've found out that they're touchy. Don't short the positive terminal on the bike's frame. It renders the battery useless. If you get the Shorai charger, don't accidentally connect the connector wrong, it renders the charger useless.

You just have to be careful. The latter isn't common, unless you connect the charger to the battery a lot. I have a total loss electrical system, so I connect it whenever the bike isn't in use in the paddock.

[Kurlon]

I'm sporting a Ballistic as well, and have the Ballistic balance charger. So far, there hasn't been a reason to bother with the fancy charger after 2+ years. I top up with a Batt Tender and then race total loss and there hasn't been an imbalance. I can't see Shorai's chemistry being much different. Only thing I would recommend is getting something like this so you don't accidentally discharge the batt too far if running total loss.

[OneCheekRider]

I'm looking at Ballistic and Shorai. They both seem very comparable. Now looking at the Ballistic website, they offer different cells - I'm looking at either 4 or 8. Is there one I should be using? Ballistic's site is easier for me to find info and I like their claim of "No trickle charger required, loses only 10% of charge over a year of static use"

Do I really need special chargers for these things? Thank you all for the replies!!

[Garandman]

EarthX can use a regular charger, has a full two year warranty.

[Kurlon]

You can use a normal charger with them. As I noted, I use boring old Battery Tenders and Batt Tender Jrs on my 8 cell. Unless they've got some whacked chemistry they'll naturally balance themselves over time.

I believe both Ballistic and Shorai have guides to walk you through sizing your battery for your application?

[OneCheekRider]

Your Ballistic battery is: 8 Cell 100-011
Upgrade: 4 Cell for race only applications 100-010

Is there any downside to the 4 cell since this is technically going to be a race only application? The lower weight & price make it sound appealing.

[Kurlon]

Lower capacity. Are you running total loss, is your motor built so it's harder to start? If those don't apply, go for the 4 cell.

[OneCheekRider]

stock motor, not running total loss. I guess I'll be doing 4 cell since all I'll need is to turn the engine over.

[Kurlon]

Sweet!

I believe Miles at S&C has a 4 cell in stock in the trailer last I recall...