Shorai winter woes

After having praised my Shorai for a long time I feel obligated to say that a few days ago it couldn't find the power to start the bike. I guess a combination of a long spell not running, (two weeks), and shitty cold weather meant that even the tried and tested methods didn't work out. Put it on a trickle charge and had to leave the building by other means.

Ha! another victory for the old 1975 H2. Started first kick in a cloud of blue smoke and ring a ding dings.

This bike is getting me to the point where I am starting to doubt the benefits of owning the SD. I'm starting to like my vintage, two stroke thrills better.

I don't think this is a specific feature of Superdukes - more of a symptom of modern (European?) motorcycles. My Tuono ate through batteries in 6 months, and they are known for chewing up reg/recs with joy. If I didn't have it on a trickle charger it would have problems getting started after a week of sitting.

The issue with the Shorai is a different kettle of fish though. They make mighty promises and I certainly would have thought it would manage 2 weeks and a little cold weather, especially for the price you pay for the things.

OE Yuasa on offer at Honda Blackpool at the moment.............

How old is the battery? I've personally let a Shorai sit for 8 solid months on a 2004 R1 with zero maintenance, or pre starting charge... nothing! and she fired up like a champ! Battery would have been about 2 years old. Also my 1290 has sat for almost 3 months in the same conditions with no ill effects (battery 9 months old).

but.. cold her is 2-3C at worst and undoubtedly a little higher in the garage.

Received my new Shorai and fitted it today. It was a different size to the one I had for the last three years so I must have been sent the wrong one when I first bought it because the new one is the model their website recommends. They are very different sizes and proportions so I had to repack the battery-box with different foam inserts.
New one fits much better.



PS. FFlash. I was only kidding. Just that of all the bikes I ever owned the SD has been through more batteries over the years than any other. This bike does eat batteries and that's standard ones as well as light weight ones.

Bic: That is what i have fully suspected Bic.. The Shorai in my Norton holds it's charge very well during the winter.
So I am glad it's sorted for you. This new battery should settle your previous issues.

gee, ive had my SD for 7 years and changed the battery once last season in all that time!
i only replaced it (with another stock Yuasa) because the rectifier failed.

Lucky you mate.

I've had the original fail after two years. Another OE go after another three years. Then the Shorai which has lasted two.

All I can say in their defence is that the last five years or so have correlated with having a baby and then the twins so riding has been less than normal with long lay ups, (weeks) of sitting in cold garages unloved. In the past I ride my bikes every day. Like every day without fail as commuters, fun, practical, tourers and track toys. So in all those previous years I've never had a battery fail with any bike I owned, (dating back to 1979)

So maybe it's my lifestyle. Or maybe then SD eats batteries?