Lithium bike batteries.

[cheb]

I need a battery for the TDR250, the old lead acid one has finally died. Are lithium ones as better than sealed lead acid to the same level that sealed lead acid are better than wet lead acid? I also need another battery charger so I could buy them as a matched pair.

If so are there any stand out brands and suppliers?

[Yorick]

I use a normal 2a charger on the Suzuki no problem. Also the Husky previously.

[Mr Moofo]

I have a lithium one on the Ducati - and bought a specific charger for it ( I will go and have a look) - it also does regular batteries as well.
Advantages of the Lithium one:
It's lighter
(but on a 200kg Diavel)
In theory, it has more torque

Disadvantage
If they totally discharge they die
They can explode
It hates the cold - so turning over the Duke engine below the about 5 degrees is touch and go

[Skub]

I don't have one,but Shido seem to be a well thought of brand.

Regarding the cold starting,I've heard (counterintuitively) in cold weather if you turn on the ignition for a minute or so before starting,the lithium battery likes it better.

Get Moofo to try it for you.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Don't use a lithium with the standard TDR charging system, it will shag the battery in no time.

But, isn't a Lithium a waste of money on a TDR, the engine runs directly from the coils on the stator, it's kick start, so it's not used for starting, the only things that use the battery are the lights and power valve motor, you can disconnect the battery completely and the bike will still run.

[MrLongbeard]

Give the new Motobatt hybrid jobbies a try.

Seriously give them a whirl and report back, as I'm eyeing one up but they ain't cheap

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Give the new Motobatt hybrid jobbies a try.

Seriously give them a whirl and report back, as I'm eyeing one up but they ain't cheap

If you're talking about the AGM ones I've got one in my Kawasaki, it works well, but the Kawasaki is total loss electrics so I don't know what they're like charging from an old bike alternator, I use a Nobo charger for my one.

[MrLongbeard]

These
https://www.motobatt.com/en/hybrid-batteries

[The Spin Doctor]

There's a good FortNine video on batteries on YouTube

I have a Li-ion for the Hornet which doesn't get used that much these days.

To deal with cold weather, turn the headlight on for a couple of minutes before starting... it gets the Li-ion battery warmed up

[wull]

Noco genius range is the go to trickle chargers these days, it covers all types of battery.

[cheb]

Thanks for all the above, Motobatt and Noco it is then

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

These
https://www.motobatt.com/en/hybrid-batteries

That's the one, it's an AGM battery, mine wasn't expensive, can't remember where it came from

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Thanks for all the above, Motobatt and Noco it is then

That's what I use for my Z, it's a bit overkill for a two stroke with a kick start.

[Horse]

Regarding the cold starting,I've heard (counterintuitively) in cold weather if you turn on the ignition for a minute or so before starting,the lithium battery likes it better.

I can remember being told that (actually to turn the headlamp on) for lead/acid batteries - about 40 years ago!

[Mr. Dazzle]

Presumably intended to warm the battery up by putting some load on it?

[Horse]

Presumably intended to warm the battery up by putting some load on it?

Well that's a sod. I was going to @ you to ask why!

[dern]

What’s the benefit of lithium batteries? Is it just weight?

[cheb]

Thanks for all the above, Motobatt and Noco it is then

That's what I use for my Z, it's a bit overkill for a two stroke with a kick start.

My options are wet cell lead acid, dry lead acid and lithium. Lithium has been decided against and wet cells are difficult to get out here, so dry lead acid it is.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Presumably intended to warm the battery up by putting some load on it?

Well that's a sod. I was going to @ you to ask why!

As you might imagine, there's some pretty in depth thermal management on EV lithium batteries. One of the things they can do is deliberately run the battery 'badly' in cold weather to make it warm up. Slightly counter-intuitively if you run it less efficiently it makes more waste heat, heats itself up and gives you more overall useful output.

What’s the benefit of lithium batteries? Is it just weight?

That and the fact it gives people a chance to bring up child labour in the Congo or something.

[dern]

Sounds like a waste of money unless you're racing if that's the main tangible benefit. I'd stick another lead/acid in.