[cm76]

Well my original battery in the 1198 has finally expired after 5 years of trouble free service.

I thought I would put the question out there regarding a top quality replacement battery - I am looking at the Shorai LFX batteries at the moment as they seem to have good reviews.

Any input / thoughts would be great.

Chris.

 

[37832]

The Shorai is a great battery and very light and trouble free. You DO have to understand that it does not work like a lead acid battery and has some characteristics that you must understand. It can't be discharged past 50% without being damaged. It needs to be 'warmed up' when temps are low - normally done by leaving the lights on through a few 'key on' cycles to convince the electrons to flow. I also highly recommend buying the Shorai charger as it works really slick

 

[[email protected]]

Svensken has the way of it. I've had my LFX18A1-BS12 in the bike for 3 seasons now and it's been solid. I balance it with the charger once a month or so (only takes a few mins on the charger) and when it gets a bit chilly I just let it warm with some lights and shit on.

 

[219R]

^^^Ditto...

 

[ducnial]

Unless you've already done it, it might be a good time to upgrade your battery cables too. 1198's are notorious for slow cranking and thrashed sprags.

 

[37832]

Unless you've already done it, it might be a good time to upgrade your battery cables too. 1198's are notorious for slow cranking and thrashed sprags.

Agreed for all the 848/1X98

Clean all connections, upgrade the cables, and coat all connections with dielectric. Difference is huge

 

[cm76]

Thanks for all of the helpful information guys - I have just placed an order for a Shorai LFX18A1-BS12 and looking fwd to giving it a try.
Excellent advice regarding the upgrade of the cables - do you have any specific recommendations in this area ?

Chris.

 

[keitih89]

My original 2008 1098 battery finally kicked the bucket. At the end of last season it would discharge faster and faster to the point that if i didn't ride for 2 weeks the bike wouldn't have enough capacity to start. I decided to upgrade the wiring and order the 16 cell antigravity battery for extra CCA's and capacity.

 

[37832]

Thanks for all of the helpful information guys - I have just placed an order for a Shorai LFX18A1-BS12 and looking fwd to giving it a try.
Excellent advice regarding the upgrade of the cables - do you have any specific recommendations in this area ?

Chris.

I installed the HiCap kit from Motolectric - it is nice quality albeit a bit expensive. You could make up some cables yourself using quality cable and connectors. I do think the most important thing was to clean all the connections (starter, starter relay, ground points) with a brass brush or a Scotchbrite pad, and put dielectric grease on them when tightened. Corrosion gets in there even on bikes that never see rain.

A bit of an aside... I have a tube of dielectric handy any time I work on the bike and put it in every connector that comes apart.

 

[cm76]

Thanks for that - I have checked out the Motolectric site, and the products definitely look good. I will be placing an order for a set, and replace the std cables.

Thanks again for the help - much appreciated mate.

Chris.

 

[oleary]

Agreed for all the 848/1X98

Clean all connections, upgrade the cables, and coat all connections with dielectric. Difference is huge

starting upgrade for Ducati motorcycles has an excellent kit.

 

[pat1098]

Agree with all the above. I've had a good run out of Shorais in both my bikes, and in the Ducati for almost three years now.

The low temp warnings don't really apply in this country.

Strongly suggest you get the Shorai charger as well at the same time. Saves on freight.

 

[cm76]

Thanks Pat - will order the charger as recommended. I have also placed an order for the Motolectric upgrade kit, so my starting issues should be behind me soon.

Thanks again for the help Gents - much appreciated.

 

[gunther19820]

T I have also placed an order for the Motolectric upgrade kit, so my starting issues should be behind me soon.

I just did too.

 

[gunther19820]

Thanks Pat - will order the charger as recommended. I have also placed an order for the Motolectric upgrade kit, so my starting issues should be behind me soon.

Thanks again for the help Gents - much appreciated.

Have you heard anything from them yet? I haven't gotten any sort of status update or tracking, etc

 

[37832]

Another little Shorai tip:
The charging cable will eventually go 'bad'. Their life is estimated at 1200 connect cycles. They are inexpensive. When I bought my bike, PO suggested it likely needed a new battery. Nope, just needed a new charging cable...

 

[VJ020]

shorai's are great but there's better. Skyrich for example is authorized by Ducati to come with the 1199SL and their batteries have a BMS and power level indicator. Recently, there has been yet another breakthrough by panasonic to produce lithium cells with twice the power (and therefore half the weight equivalent). However I haven't seen it in the automotive/motorcycle industry yet

 

[cm76]

Have you heard anything from them yet? I haven't gotten any sort of status update or tracking, etc

Hi,

I received an email from them the other day with all of the required shipping and tracking information. I am guessing that you should have received the same. It would be a good idea to follow it up to see what is going on.

 

[cm76]

shorai's are great but there's better. Skyrich for example is authorized by Ducati to come with the 1199SL and their batteries have a BMS and power level indicator. Recently, there has been yet another breakthrough by panasonic to produce lithium cells with twice the power (and therefore half the weight equivalent). However I haven't seen it in the automotive/motorcycle industry yet

Thanks for that. Do you have the Skyrich battery/ies in your bike/s ? How do they perform ? They sound like a good thing. I have my new Shorai sitting here now though, so will give it a try. Just waiting on my cables.

Chris.

 

[pat1098]

Certainly there is a case for upgrading the cables, but I should say mine are still original after seven-plus years, and 78,000 kms, and work perfectly.
Checking the primary terminals - battery, solenoid, starter motor, and EARTH (all the heavy cable terminals) - should be a part of regular servicing, and minimises resistance at these crucial points.
As previously lectured - take care tightening the terminal on the starter motor. You should have a very slim 10 mm spanner to grip the terminal post under the cable.
If you just tighten the outermost nut you risk turning the post in the motor housing, causing serious problems. It sits in a plastic insulator with a square hole, and will easily round that out, compromising its insulation.