Come across harris selling these https://www.harris-performance.com/webs ... eries.html

Anyone know if these are suitable for a road bike? they claim the only downside is if you leave the lights on without the engine running so does that mean they fine for road use? The cbr 600rr one is £110, thats sound pretty cheap to me for something not much bigger than a iphone.

According to my "Weight Saving for NC30" spreadsheet , a lithium battery is second only to an aluminum sub-frame in terms of grams saved per $. Based on a Durbahn lithium battery (Li-Fe) suitable for an NC30, the weight saving over a standard battery is 1611g., at a cost per gram of just 4p. (this assumes a battery price of GBP67).

Take a look at the A123 LiFePower Pack 2.3 Ah Supermoto/400cc, cost 94 Euro inc tax.

Nonetheless, lithium batteries suffer some serious drawbacks. First, at a temperature above 70C they degrade very rapidly. Not so good in Thailand where 70C is easy to achieve under the fairing while motoring through town on a warm day. Even a hot summer's day in the UK would probably warrant careful use of air-flow and heat-sinking to avoid over-heating the battery. Second, it really is critical the battery is not run down else it will die.

Note, what we're talking about are more accurately called "Lithium Iron" batteries, not be to be confused with "Lithium-ion". Wikipedia has more;

Lithium Battery Background info.

Lithium Iron Phosphate What we're talking about.

Lithium-ion Polymer Battery Where motorcycle battery tech. could head with some changes to the charging system.

After an alloy rear sub-frame (saves 2.6kg), a lithium battery (saves 1.6kg) is the way to go for weight saving on the NC30.

There has been an explosion in the US in the past year in terms of who makes those, so you have plenty of choices now. I like the Shorais (http://www.shoraipower.com/). They're pretty cheap and a good SV-racer friend of mine swears by them.

The Shorai's have been getting good reviews. I still use Speedcell's out of loyalty to Josh Kaufman, FWIW I've been using them in all my bikes here in Thailand for a few years now with no issues. I like the quick release, especially on the track bike.



I don't think using Racing batteries on a road bike would be a problem. I couldn't find the specs on the Harris site, I'd be curious to know the AH rating etc. 110 quid doesn't seem that cheap though IMO.

Jimmy

Thanks for the info chaps, I thought £110 was pretty cheap, maybe im still stuck in the days when lightweight batterys were for the very rich only.

That durbahn looks the one to go for even just for the badge anything with durbahn stuck on it is too cool IMO.

So as long you keep the battery cool these should be fine for a road bike with a charging system then, maybe mount the battery in the nosecone near a vent or under the vented seat hump maybe?

These guys at Black and White racing are well respected dudes..

They sell batteries too and are pretty cheap. Think they are shandylanders (Bemsee racers) so might be local enough to go see?

There based up your way mark, they look decent enough and even the bigger one is still £149!

Drunkn Munky wrote:There based up your way mark, they look decent enough and even the bigger one is still £149!

Lol, nah, they are down south man..

Lincolnshire is your neck of the woods isnt it? im gunna fire them a email about them so i'll let you know.

Hi, just remember it wont crank for long on the starter. its ok if your bike starts easy, but if you leave it stood and have to crank it for a while to fill the carbs up again ( like i did today), you may need a big battery to jump off! if that makes sense?!
I dont know if the cold weather affects them either?

Cheers
Ian