Battery Upgrade

[Christian Martel]

Hi,

From what I can see in the online specs http://www.odysseybattery.com/extreme_battery_specs.aspx the PC625 has only 200A of CCA, not and the PC525 that fits was mentioned earlier seems discontinued. The PC535 does not fit the battery cage any better than the PC625, both having a depth of 3.9" and the cage having 3.4" of space, requiring modifying the cage, like cutting out one side, or more work, cutting out and extending by 0.5". In the end the PC625 published CCA 200A is way below the Yuasa YTX20HL-BS 18Ah 310 CCA, and from what I read HeR3tic he's not happy with this one. I'm also looking for max CCA.

Any other finds ?

xiao

xian

 

[JRock]

Old thread.
I have tried both the Odyssey 535 and 625 batteries and they suck.
Meaning they did not turn the bike over any better than the stock one, especially in cold weather.
I even bought the Odyssey charger hoping it would help. Not. I still use it, but the batteries were not good at all.

Search threads for Scorpion. Don't remember the model number, but the AGM model I have fits perfectly.
If I recall, it also fits Harleys.

 

[cr0ft]

The largest Shorai Lithium-Iron (LiFePo4) battery has a nuclear plant-like 540 CCA. My Touring spins like a sowing machine in high gear when I go to start it. Expensive, but weighs a fraction of the lead-acid and cranks like mad. (Haven't read the thread to see if lithium was already mentioned, but possibly not since it's an earlier thread.)

Should be this (not 100% sure I recall the polarity correctly, it's either this or the A3 model): http://shoraipower.com/lfx36l3-bs12-p130

Expensive as hell? Sure, but worth it. Exactly the same size as the stock battery, just goes from 320 CCA to 540, plus entirely different cold-weather starting characteristics (gets stronger with each try, not weaker.) Not that I've tried starting the bike in really cold weather with it.

Here's a video from a competitor, Ballistic Parts, of their LiFePo4 battery, that's another option than Shorai (but I like that the Shorai is stock size, installation is completely painless) that demonstrates how the batteries act in the cold:

These are also completely invulnerable to the usual sulfation issues that lead-acid has to deal with. They self-discharge very slowly if disconnected from the bike, no need to trickle charge if you leave it off for a winter (though the custom charger for them is definitely advisable, no battery likes being overly discharged.)

Edit: I'm on the second year on it and it has been flawless.

 

[Boog]

My bike was bought new in Oct and is a 2014. I have ridden it all winter with the stock battery, even on mornings near 0F without an issue yet. I know it is a new battery but I have not had the issues others have had with their batteries over the years. I recently revived a stock Ninja battery that is seven years old be just refilling it and charging it. I think much of the problems are batteries getting old that have not had much use.

 

[cr0ft]

Batteries go bad over a winter more often than not due to sulfation if they're not trickle charged, and even then they need replacing every few years. I'm hoping to get five out of my Shorai.

 

[TriumPhil]

On anything other than a heavily engine-modded R3 (think Carpenter or Lush-kitted), the HD version of our stock battery and one of these attached whenever it's in the barn are all that's required, IMO: http://batterytender.com/battery-tender-plus-12v-at-1-25a.html

 

[Tripps]

I still have the stock battery, 4 years old, I always get out at least once a month, even in the winter. Even with the Carpenter kit, never a problem starting, down to 25 or 30F. I don't charge it much, I have 5 bikes and 2 chargers, but I will sometimes put it on the trickle charger overnight if I haven't been out in a few weeks, always shows 75%+ charge, even after sitting. I do have the 1.4 KW starter and ground wire upgrade.

 

[cr0ft]

On anything other than a heavily engine-modded R3 (think Carpenter or Lush-kitted), the HD version of our stock battery and one of these attached whenever it's in the barn are all that's required, IMO: http://batterytender.com/battery-tender-plus-12v-at-1-25a.html

Losing a bunch of lbs on battery weight isn't a bad thing though, if one has the cash to spend on a Lithium battery. I don't plan to ever go back to lead-acid, anyway.

 

[albertaduke]

Old thread.
I have tried both the Odyssey 535 and 625 batteries and they suck.
Meaning they did not turn the bike over any better than the stock one, especially in cold weather.
I even bought the Odyssey charger hoping it would help. Not. I still use it, but the batteries were not good at all.

Search threads for Scorpion. Don't remember the model number, but the AGM model I have fits perfectly.
If I recall, it also fits Harleys.

I have fitted the odyssey 628 with just a shaving of extrution on the battery case and it fit right inside the battery cage had it for 4 years so far so good

 

[BehereNow]

I live in the Appalachians, sub freezing temp for a week at a time is routine.
You do have to use the Odyssey recommended charger, a batterytender did not work for me.
I put the Odyssey in my 2009 R3 in 2010, still works fine although I will probably replace it this summer.
I had to shave the battery fins with a razor blade, no adjustment to the battery box, just did not use the battery cover.
I ride at temps of 25F, can't be stuck at work with no ride home, the Odyssey takes care of me, I like it.