XT600 - Lithium ion battery for Africa
 

Hey everyone,

i'm getting my 03 XT600E ready to head to South Africa from Europe and one of the things that came up was the battery.
My currrent Yuasa has about a year and a half.
I've been recomended to replace the battery for a JMT Lithium Ion battery.

Something like this:
Motorrad Lithium Ionen Batterie JMT YTX9-BS / YTR9-BS | eBay

What do you reckon?
Anybody know or has used these batteries?
Are they reliable for long term overlanding or should I just stick to the Yuasa?

Cheers
RN

Need to research problems with these batteries when subjected to higher charging voltages than specified, or if totally flattened, because they don't react well to either condition.

Reported poor performance at low temperatures might also be important, although the same applies to conventional batteries.

I have GEL battery, cheap from Biltema low price. Never had problems and run for 4years, summer and winter.

I am trying out one of the new Lithion-ion(actually LiFe-PO4) types and if one isn't needed I would go the gel route. The new ones are too easy to get wrecked as was stated over charging or letting it get too low will/can permanently damage them. I can watch my volts drop as the battery cools down while riding to work at 10F , then once it is inside for an hour or 2 the volts climb back up, it is close to 1/2 volt change. On an important trip I'd go with the tried and true tech.
That said they are unbelievably light, small, and powerfull , just a pain to deal with.

Don't know about the battery but a kickstart conversion is a great back up.

I have same model/same year and put a kick start on mine from an earlier model.

Well, i dont think it matters if you save 1kg on the battery on this bike and the space for battery is not used to anything else. Charging system on these old bikes are not the best for ION battery.

My stock battery lasted me around 9 years....I bought a well known industrial brand when I replaced it. (exide)

I wouldnt bother with lipo, the actual amp hours is also lower than the original battery.

+1 on a gel batt.

Recommended by who ???

Lead acid have been getting people around the world for a million years..

You have a good quality battery and it's pretty new. Why change it ?? It's proven and well understood technology and it works very well.

As long as it hasn't been abused or left flat for long periods it should last you AT LEAST another 5 years or even 10 years.


Okay, the lithium batteries weigh less but that's about the only benefit and with Lithium Iron, you have to use specific chargers. They are also fairly new technology when it comes to motorcycles and their charging systems.

It's an another complication which you just don't need. And like said.. They have LOWER performance than lead acid.

Personally.. Don't bother !!

The Lithion-ion actually do have more power than the acid and gel( in comparable sizes) but for shorter periods,I've directly compared them on a high comp motor that any lead battery that would fit couln't turn over fast enough , the much smaller Lith-ion does no problem. However they tend to be needed to be "warmed up" by running the lights for a few seconds or other higher draw item as it gets colder. The lead & gel will have quite a bit more reserve capacity which is the big deal for most situations and if I could I would have myself. I doubt it'll last as long as any lead/gel either .

Hey guys,

cheers for the feed-back! bier

I'm more of a keep it simple supporter but lot's of people were telling me to go lithium, so!
I do in fact believe that charging the Lithium ion on a old"ish" bike , as they seem to be sensible about the charging, could be a issue.
The weight loss was appealing but like Xtrock said 1 kg is not all that significant on a XT...I'll just have to cut back on the bears until I leave! :rofl:
I will probably keep my Yuasa or have a peek at the gel ones, and if not too expensive maybe consider, otherwise year and half Yuasa it is!
Cheers,
RN

Hi Guys.....
Interesting conversation and points here.
Just for the record, i have had a Shorai in my DR650 for 31/2 years now and it's still going strong! Last year I rode 41,000 kms around the world and it never let me down once.....except when i left the ignition on and ran the battery down......then all i did was jump start it off a car just like a regular lead acid battery. I don't "condition" it either when I store the bike for the winter and it still cranks the bike over every spring.
Very happy with the Shorai :)

Have wonderful travels!
Nevil
MotoExped - Home
Round the World 2013 on motorbikes
www.mytb.org/nevil

I've been too-ing and fro-ing on this issue for a few months. Major 'recommended' advantages were cranking amps and weight. I was worried about the battery 'blowing up' on me in outback somewhere and about cost.

In the end, I went down to the shop and we spent about an hour going through the books and comparing cranking amps. Found a sealed lead-acid for a third of the price of the Li with more cranking amps. Don't know how it compares in weight, but sure gave me more peace-of-mind and I'm happy with it.

Hey guys,

had an ideia! Please let me know if I've got insain or just too caught up in the whole gizzmo/gadget thingamajig! :innocent:

My african trip will be something like 40,000km in 1 year.
As I said my Yuasa is relatively new and should withstand the trip.
The major problem is if it goes dead, right!
And what if I have one of these with me...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-functi...ds=bestek+jump

They are not cheap, but can "supposedly" jump start the bike and still charge my laptop, GPS, phone and whatnots...and even have a spare flashlight! :D

Now seriously has anyone ever tried one of these things and do you believe it would infact withstand and be of added value to a african overland trip?

Cheers,
RN

Looks great for the trip:thumbup1:

Your battery won't die on you..... Unless you're SUPER unlucky.

If your charging system is working correctly and you don't do anything stupid like have accessories directly connected to the battery which you could accidentally leave on (heated grips etc), then you're going to be okay.

Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure. Make sure it's all working right first. If your bike won't turn over in a few seconds and you worry about flattening a battery, address it now and not in Africa.

Ted

Is it worth the weight penalty? If your battery did go flat due to damage then this will not be enough to start. :oops2: These items work by charging your battery a little then you can start. If battery won't charge, this item may not work and you need a new battery. Electric start is great when it works. I like the older XT's that don't need a battery to run.

Hi there.

I dont have any knowledge about ION battery.

But i did Denmark - Cape town - Denmark 55.000 km on a XT600E in 2011/2012 and like to share my electrical experience.

I build my XT with reinforced subframe, MX wheels and dual electrical system + kickstart. Only ekstra electrical equipment on the bike was my GPS.

Coming down west africa was hard on the bike and first i lost the starter relay / solenoid - my battery died in Angola (left home with 1.5 year old Yuasa)

On the back up east africa i lost a second starter relay / solenoid but my new battery from Cape town took me all the way home.

Total damage was 2 solenoid and 1 batteri 3 fork seals and a broken frame.

Have a great trip
best regards

Thanks Terrafirma for the info it's always great to hear from people who have in fact done it! :thumbup1:
I already had an eye on the starter relay /solenoid cos I know they normally give trouble. I'll probably take a spare just in case.

When you say dual electrical system is that electric and kick start? Or did you do any more preparation on the electrical side?
And if you don't mind but what type of reinforcement did you make on the subframe and where exactly did the frame break...

Thanks again and cheers bier
Rui Nuno