I hope the Forum will forgive my urgency/laziness in asking..... can I replace the AGM (lead-acid) battery in my 2011 F800GS with a Lithium battery? Should have asked before the Shorai Lithium arrives today so I'm hopeful for a positive response (also purchased the Lithium charger). Btw, got 3.5 years from the OEM battery; not bad, huh? Thanks in advance to the Forum for the quick help! Bob in AZ
Place me in the category of folks who would've liked to see you stay within OEM territory. My Shorai lasted one year exactly before she failed to hold a charge. But what a glorious year it was brother. Like 18 year-old girlfriends, they're great while they last!
Thx, Inbred. There was 115+ pages of battery thread & much was very technical; I'm not embarrassed to say I had no clue reading most of that. My dealer sells the Shorai + charger but I've not specifically engaged them about it. It's one of those topics where I go back & forth decision-wise but my 2011 OEM battery is showing signs of weakness despite the Battery Tender so I've got to pull a trigger. Thx much, Bob
Even though its unfashionable I'm going to say something positive about Shorai! I've had a Shorai in both my 800GS and my XChallenge for a couple of years now. In the 800 it saves almost 4Kg high up under the faux tank, so I think that's worthwhile. One of their best attributes is how they virtually don't discharge if left for a while. I can not ride one of the bikes for 6 to 8 weeks and when I turn on the key and let the battery warm up for a few seconds and I will always get a start first time. On the Xchallenge especially, compared to the original lead acid battery this is just wonderful. I don't live in a really cold place, but it often gets below freezing in the winter, so if you live somewhere like Canada or Norway things might be different. I'm aware on the Shorai that they possibly don't like being wet so I am even more careful not to drown the bikes. Another fault with the original models is that the terminals aren't very robust looking, but I believe they have improved them since. Anyway I will be using a Lithium battery in my bikes from now on, but perhaps I might try Antigravity next time.
Duck, thx for the practical feedback; good stuff from both you guys. Again, many of the postings are very technical so I appreciate the understandable approach. I've written the local dealer Service Advisor for thoughts & also got feedback from the former Service Manager who I trust; he said go for it. The only down-side I can see is perhaps a shorter service life but great service otherwise. Lithiums are pricey & had to get a new charger, but..... Anyway, thx to both you guys for the help. Bob in AZ/USA
I ran them in 2 bikes and got less than stellar life out of both batteries (Shorai and a Ballistic). Love the weight loss but I got the feeling that they don't much care for the vehicle charging system. I use lithium batteries exclusively for my radio controlled applications and if you're careful with charge/discharge rates, balancing, and not letting the voltage drop too low they last a long time and work amazingly well. I also converted my son's electric Kuberg to LiPo and absolutely love the mod. As a starting battery on a bike where the regulator just dumps juice on them anytime the engine is running I suspect they get cooked so life expectancy suffers. Lithium's are very particular about cell voltage so until somebody comes up with an inline voltage controller to prevent overcharging they're going to be controversial. At more than twice the cost and less than half the life as a decent AGM, they're not worth my money. Plus in both of my own failures, they instantly went from working fine to not-able-to-start. An AGM or SLA will generally give you some warning when its nearing the end of its life so you can milk it for a week while waiting on a replacement. Will it work? Absolutely. Will you be replacing it sooner than if you'd gone with an $80 Deka? Yep.
Rat: I just installed the new Lithium battery last night & came in to work to see your post. PANIC! So, I've calmed down now realizing the worse that happens is I'm out a few bucks for a replacement sooner rather than later. Or it catches fire & torches the bike & everything in the garage, right? I've seen really mixed feedback with "it's new technology" being the most common thing. And, now that I've researched more, so much is written with no clear consensus on the Lithiums. Btw, why research BEFORE I buy? That would be too easy, right? Oddly, my BMW dealer sells the Lithiums but the Service guy doesn't know squat (surprise?) about them. Otherwise, the former Service Manager, who I know, said go for it so WTF, I say. Gotta say, it's light as a feather but I still must be crazy; my OEM has lasted since new in 2011 so what am I thinking? Thx to you & the others for the feedback; good stuff but now I'm the "Lab Rat". Cheers from Arizona/USA. Bob
Did you read this thread about Lithium Batteries on the F800GS? if done correctly, a Lithium battery lasts at least as much as a lead acid. The important thing is to over spec the battery more than what the vendor says you should. If you get a 12 cell or 16cell, you should be good.
I bought a then new F800GS in April 2009. The OEM battery died just on twelve months later which I replaced with a LFX18A1-BS12 Shorai lithium battery (the box is on the bench next to me now, hence I know the product number). In May 2014 I sold the bike with the same battery in it and it was still going strong. I know many criticise them on here but from this experience I will get another one when the OEM dies in the 800GSA I bought just on twelve months ago. That should happen pretty soon now I have mentioned it, according to Murphy.
I haven't heard of any bike fires from them so I wouldn't panic - course I'd also make sure my insurance was up to snuff haha. When the battery goes to hell, don't try to salvage it and you should be fine. Just hope that you get a decent run out of your battery and if you don't, replace it with a Deka. If you get a good run, then stick with lithium.
I bought the same model and installed it in my 8gs in June 2011. They now recommend a bigger battery. In 2012, 250 miles into a trip, my stator burned out and my battery went "dead". We jumped started it several times from a pickup (with the engine running which I was later told was a no-no) to finish the 100 mile to our destination. I bought a Battery Tender and charged it before heading home. On the 350 mile trip home we had to jump start it several more times. The stator was replaced and the battery charged - I've had no problems since. Two trips to the west coast and plenty more. I have only used a Battery Tender to charge it. I think it is a good battery. That said, for my Stelvio I bought an Earth-X lithium battery. I chose it because it has electronics built in that balance the charge. This allows you to use a Battery Tender (or your alternator) and get a full charge on all cells.