Batteries; the good, the bad, the intolerable !

[offworlder]

The battery in my 2014 350 EXC is toast - wont retain a charge - hooray for having a kickstart.

While the reliability and quality of batteries vary greatly (like so many other things) - and this can be specific to each class (dirt, adventure, etc...) I'm looking to take advantage of lessons learned by others.

While my immediate needs are for the tree fiddley, so as to be of benefit others, what battery(s) have you tried, in which bike(s), and what has your experience been ?

Thanks.

 

[LordEndo]

I put a shorai lithium-iron in my WRR. It worked great and I used a trickle charger on it whenever I'd remember to. Had it in there for two or three seasons - sold the bike and it's likely still going for the new owner. Super light and never a problem.

 

[offworlder]

Appreciate the report.

While I'm currently in need for my dirt bike, my experience with Shorai wasnt good with big bike (990), wouldnt turn the bike over in the cold. Perhaps on the smaller bikes their more reliable ?

 

[LordEndo]

Hmmm....dunno - could be.... I had the WR in all kinds of weather including snow at the top of the windy knob loop.

 

[DirtClunker]

I have used TurnTech, Shorai and EarthX in my 350 freeride and 350 excf. My Shorai had the top crack and fill with water after about 100hrs. The two EarthX batteries (in two bikes) are holding up well after about 80 combined hours. Lots and lots of hard rough trails in the freeride.

Once thing a little funny about the EarthX. It has overvoltage and over current protection. So sometimes, flicking the starter button will cause it to turn off for 30 seconds. But this protection has totally saved my ass a few times, when accidentally leaving the lights on.

 

[offworlder]

Thanks DC - I'll take a look at the EarthX.
This be the widget in question ? http://earthxmotorsports.com/produc...tm-street-motorcycle/freeride-xc-f-exc-f-sx-f

Dave seems to like em too:
http://www.noronalife.com/moto/earthx-lithium-batteries-awesome/

 

[DirtClunker]

Thanks DC - I'll take a look at the EarthX.
This be the widget in question ? http://earthxmotorsports.com/produc...tm-street-motorcycle/freeride-xc-f-exc-f-sx-f

Yep that's it.

 

[old thumper guy]

I've been running a shorai in my FE570 for about 350 hrs and it hasn't let me down yet. It gets a little cranky around 0C first thing in the morning and needs a load for a couple of minutes before it will crank the bike. For early morning cold starts I leave my heated grips on for a few minutes to load the battery and then it cranks up no problems.