Shorai battery install

[Blind Squirrel]

Can't say as I buy into the "über weight loss" theory. Want to loose 16 pounds up high real quick? Put 2 less gallons of gas in the tank every time you fill up...

 

[Grumpy]

Can't say as I buy into the "über weight loss" theory. Want to loose 16 pounds up high real quick? Put 2 less gallons of gas in the tank every time you fill up...

Picky,I know, but 2 gallons of gasoline is 12 #

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Can't say as I buy into the "über weight loss" theory. Want to loose 16 pounds up high real quick? Put 2 less gallons of gas in the tank every time you fill up...

Picky,I know, but 2 gallons of gasoline is 12 #

Doh! You are correct. I was thinking water "A pint's a pound the world around". Gas is lighter than water. Still, I can't tell the difference in handling between when the tank is full or half full.

 

[UselessPickles]

As for the "why buy a different battery to save 10 lbs when you can do the same by putting less gas in the tank"...

That's just pretty silly, because if you continue that trend, you'll be out of gas before you start a ride. Losing 10lbs at the battery is a permanent 10lb loss, even with a full tank. Assuming a 200lb rider (including gear), a 10lb loss would increase acceleration equivalently to gaining 1.5hp (at the wheel, ~1.2% gain), in addition to the very slight handling improvements from less weight up high. From what I understand, these lighter weight batteries (the LiFePo ones, at least) have longer life expectancy, especially if you are not diligent about trickle charging, that makes the extra cost nearly even out in the end. The lighter weight comes as an added bonus to what is already a worthy option for non-racers.

Add the light battery to other common weight savings, and the results can be significant:

Battery: -10lbs

After-market slip-ons: -7lbs

Remove side cases: -20lbs (this is a "temporary" loss, like less gas)

2 gallons less fuel: -12lbs

2 week diet: -5lbs (hopefully permanent)

Total: -54lbs

Acceleration increase equivalent to 8.6hp (at the wheel, ~6.9% gain). This doesn't include the actual hp gain from the slip-ons and a free air box mod, which will probably be about another 5hp, for a total of an apparent 13.9hp (a bit more than 8.6 + 5 because of the weight loss) and ~11.1% gain. Don't forget the additional 10hp that you'll think you'll feel because of the new sound of the exhaust

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Think about it, smaller battery = more room to put things like a fuse panel, or relays and such.

So, in the future, are you going to remove all that foam and use the space above the battery?

 

[Spud]

Looks like a limited (#'s wise) but good opportunity for someone to come up with a lightweight (plastic? alum?) mount kit. A rigid-framed adapter for the battery to make it "plug and play" could also include a little usable space for some extra storage....

 

[mcatrophy]

...

Doh! You are correct. I was thinking water "A pint's a pound the world around". ...

Erm, no, not all around the world. Here in the UK and some other of our ex-colonies, our pints and gallons are bigger than those in the US (about the only things that are).

Here "A pint of pure water weighs a pound and a quarter". And our pounds are the same size as yours.

 

[wheatonFJR]

All this talking about pints is getting me thirsty... :yahoo:

I'll take a pint there barkeep. :clapping:

 

[Fred W]

Losing 10lbs at the battery is a permanent 10lb loss, even with a full tank. Assuming a 200lb rider (including gear), a 10lb loss would increase acceleration equivalently to gaining 1.5hp (at the wheel, ~1.2% gain), in addition to the very slight handling improvements from less weight up high.

Hell ya!

That's what I'm talkin' about!!

:yahoo:

 

[UselessPickles]

Losing 10lbs at the battery is a permanent 10lb loss, even with a full tank. Assuming a 200lb rider (including gear), a 10lb loss would increase acceleration equivalently to gaining 1.5hp (at the wheel, ~1.2% gain), in addition to the very slight handling improvements from less weight up high.

Hell ya!

That's what I'm talkin' about!!

:yahoo:

1.5hp is the power of a lawnmower. That's serious business!

 

[bikesniffer]

Hello Brodie

Nice and clean install...

now you can come to Switzerland (10 days free accomodation) and install the spider fix for me. It would make for a nice vacation.

Alfredo

 

[Bungie]

I just went with a Motobatt - I'm not all that concerned about the poundage; I have lots to lose so that the extra 8 isn't going to impact on anything at all, and at less than $60 for the Motobatt I can change that out three times for what the Shorai would cost. Motobatt carries a 2 year warranty.

When I bought my bike 3 years ago (really? has it been that long?!) the battery was all but DOA. Went to Yamaha who wanted something like $240 for a replacement Yuasa. Ran over to Royal Distributing and they quoted me $220 for the same battery. I asked if they had anything else.. yup, got one listed for $80.

It's getting tired after 3 years and about 80Km and I'm looking at replacing it in the spring. So I have more than a little interest in batteries at the moment, but I'm still thinking of sticking with the cheapy. It's just simple economics. Ya, I'd love to lose 8lbs up high like that on the bike and some more cold cranking ergs would never hurt. But fact is, I can buy 5 cheapies (factoring Cdn pricing for that battery). Am I going to notice a 1.5hp gain? No. Am I gonna notice losing 8lbs? No. Am I gonna notice my bank account down $280? Yup.

 

[Brodie]

Hello Brodie

Nice and clean install...

now you can come to Switzerland (10 days free accomodation) and install the spider fix for me. It would make for a nice vacation.

Alfredo

Airfare too?

Brodie

 

[Brodie]

Think about it, smaller battery = more room to put things like a fuse panel, or relays and such.

So, in the future, are you going to remove all that foam and use the space above the battery?

Yes!

That was the main reason tipping the scale toward the new technology, I get to cram even more stuff under the bodywork.

I am eyeing that extra room for the Clearwater lighting electronics.

Brodie

 

[Blind Squirrel]

As for the "why buy a different battery to save 10 lbs when you can do the same by putting less gas in the tank"...

That's just pretty silly, because if you continue that trend, you'll be out of gas before you start a ride. Losing 10lbs at the battery is a permanent 10lb loss, even with a full tank. Assuming a 200lb rider (including gear), a 10lb loss would increase acceleration equivalently to gaining 1.5hp (at the wheel, ~1.2% gain), in addition to the very slight handling improvements from less weight up high. From what I understand, these lighter weight batteries (the LiFePo ones, at least) have longer life expectancy, especially if you are not diligent about trickle charging, that makes the extra cost nearly even out in the end. The lighter weight comes as an added bonus to what is already a worthy option for non-racers.

Add the light battery to other common weight savings, and the results can be significant:

Battery: -10lbs

After-market slip-ons: -7lbs

Remove side cases: -20lbs (this is a "temporary" loss, like less gas)

2 gallons less fuel: -12lbs

2 week diet: -5lbs (hopefully permanent)

Total: -54lbs

Acceleration increase equivalent to 8.6hp (at the wheel, ~6.9% gain). This doesn't include the actual hp gain from the slip-ons and a free air box mod, which will probably be about another 5hp, for a total of an apparent 13.9hp (a bit more than 8.6 + 5 because of the weight loss) and ~11.1% gain. Don't forget the additional 10hp that you'll think you'll feel because of the new sound of the exhaust

I am willing to place money down that says without looking, you could not ride two bikes and then tell me the difference between the two bikes that are the same with the exception of having a gel battery mounted and having a Shorai battery mounted.

I understand if someone wants to do it to save room or likes the advance in technology. If someone is doing it just to loose 10 pounds I think they are wasting their $$$. I agree with Brodie, I can buy 3 or 4 of the gel batteries for the price of one of these.

 

[Zorlac]

3 or 4 for $200?

Can you post a link to an FJR sized $50 delivered battery?

 

[Fred W]

The other thing is, it's not just the weight. According to (admittedly, their own) specs the Shorai battery should perform significantly better than the AGM batteries available.

SHORAI LFX18A1-BS12

18 Amp Hour, 270 CCA, 2.12 lbs msrp $186.95

Yuasa YT14B-BS

12 Amp Hour, 210 CCA, 10.1 lbs street price ~ $120.

WestCo 12V14B-4

12 Amp Hour, 135 CCA, 10.1 lbs street price ~ $60. << There's your link Zorlac

 

[HYCLE]

The other thing is, it's not just the weight. According to (admittedly, their own) specs the Shorai battery should perform significantly better than the AGM batteries available.

SHORAI LFX18A1-BS12

18 Amp Hour, 270 CCA, 2.12 lbs msrp $186.95

Yuasa YT14B-BS

12 Amp Hour, 210 CCA, 10.1 lbs street price ~ $120.

WestCo 12V14B-4

12 Amp Hour, 135 CCA, 10.1 lbs street price ~ $60. << There's your link Zorlachttps://www.google.com/search?q=YT1...&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQrQQwAg&fp=83f87efc6f926f13[/URL]

If you want to, you can also use the Shorai 14ah battery. It is listed on the Shorai website as the standard battery for the FJR and cost is $148 at Batterystuff.com.

Shorai also has a 12ah battery for even less money.

If you believe the Shorai battery is better than an AGM of the same rating you should still be making an improvement.

I just removed a 12ah Westco battery from my FJR after 3years of use.

Now we need a brave soul to install the 12ah, 155 CCA version of the Shorai to see how it holds up over time.Link to 12ah Shorai $124

 

[SacramentoMike]

Can't say as I buy into the "über weight loss" theory. Want to loose 16 pounds up high real quick? Put 2 less gallons of gas in the tank every time you fill up...

I found an even more brilliant solution to the weight problem. I hired a little guy to ride my bike for me. There goes a hundred pounds!... :yahoo:

...

Doh! You are correct. I was thinking water "A pint's a pound the world around". ...

Erm, no, not all around the world. Here in the UK and some other of our ex-colonies, our pints and gallons are bigger than those in the US (about the only things that are).

Here "A pint of pure water weighs a pound and a quarter". And our pounds are the same size as yours.

Excuse me, but it varies from one day to the next. Like right now, a pound over there is like, a buck and a half.... :lol:

Think about it, smaller battery = more room to put things like a fuse panel, or relays and such.

So, in the future, are you going to remove all that foam and use the space above the battery?

Yes!

That was the main reason tipping the scale toward the new technology, I get to cram even more stuff under the bodywork.

I am eyeing that extra room for the Clearwater lighting electronics.

Brodie

And on the serious side, all you need for that under the fairing is to make some wiring connections. No ballasts or anything else.

.

.

 

[bramfrank]

Hey; Don;t rain on his parade. He justified this smaller battery and we've all made out points. But there's no need to go on the attack.

Having said that; If quality is not the issue, then herer is a sub $40 battery for our bikes ($53 shipped): https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400173595274&viewitem=