This is a static archive scraped from the now-closed superduke.net forum. If this archive has helped you at all and you fancy buying me a pint to say thanks, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com.

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-18 11:24:00 UTC

Fitted the Antigravity Lifepo battery today and I'm impressed. After fitting the bike cranked up very healthy and engine fired straight away.
I didn't charged the battery since it arrived by mail last week.
The weight saving is significant as the pictures show.
The service of the maker is very good and the box came with some adhesive foam which can be cut to fit the empty space in the battery box. (see pic)
The only hick up is the ultra short negative cable on the SD. It took some effort to rearrange it to make it long enough to fit the connectors sitting on the middle of the battery instead of on the side-top.
Didn't use the wing type screws as supplied by AG as I found they foul he crimp lugs and hence they are hard to do up. Lucky the Yuasa screws are the same tread and I used these instead.
I used the 12 cell type and as mentioned no problem cranking over the Duke. The AG unit seems to be a bit more expensive than others but they use US made quality cells that are properly spot welded together. Feedback from other users state the maker stands by his product and all faults are promptly rectified. The positive feedback plus the quality parts and assembly got me to decide to purchase this product.
Recommended!

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kevxtx

kevxtx

2011-12-18 11:29:00 UTC

I have been using my Shorai for a few months & love it, a good weight saving with more Cold Cranking AMPs, 270cca @ 18 amps.

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-18 22:47:00 UTC

Post missing.

indy84

indy84

2011-12-19 01:59:00 UTC

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SDNerd

SDNerd

2011-12-19 02:12:00 UTC

Going to have to try one of these Li batteries when the Yuasa dies.

Look forward to reading about how they hold up long term.

kevxtx

kevxtx

2011-12-19 10:18:00 UTC

Post missing.

MrZ32

MrZ32

2011-12-19 10:35:00 UTC

nice find... where did you get it from?

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-19 11:00:00 UTC

Post missing.

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-19 11:04:00 UTC

Post missing.

kevxtx

kevxtx

2011-12-19 11:31:00 UTC

Wow not cheap at $219 + shipping

Jody

Jody

2011-12-19 17:00:00 UTC

the shorai requires 'warm up' if it's close to freezing.

you have to switch on the ignition/HEADLIGHTS and wait for about 30 seconds.

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-19 17:17:00 UTC

looks like another winter has killed another battery, think I'll be going down this route too !

Blackduke77

Blackduke77

2011-12-19 20:48:00 UTC

Post missing.

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-19 22:43:00 UTC

I have looked at these and other types of batteries, and as soon as my stocker is finished I'll get one. Question is do they just come in the box shaped configuration or do they build to suit?
I wouldn't mind trying to relocate the battery under the seat and I know that means moving the voltage regulator and all. May not be worth the head ache, anybody else done this? It's winter and I'm bored so I need a project.
How much foam did you have to put in the battery box for it to not move around when riding?

nitrogeoff

nitrogeoff

2011-12-20 01:32:00 UTC

About 6lbs of savings. That is nice... Not bad price either...

kevxtx

kevxtx

2011-12-20 02:07:00 UTC

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Doon

Doon

2011-12-20 02:21:00 UTC

I just pulled my battery the other day and brought it in the house hoping it will survive better on the tender in house instead of in the garage during our harsh cold winters we face on the great lakes. Been thinking about going lithium route if she doesn't make it. Already had a close call on it late this fall when it got really cold. Let us know how it turns out for the long haul.

Colonel_Klinck

Colonel_Klinck

2011-12-20 02:58:00 UTC

Post missing.

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-20 07:54:00 UTC

That dude developed those when I belonged to Ducati.ms, they are meant to be great batteries.
I was at Ashburton Honda yesterday and saw your dyno graph, got a pcv 5 coming and will be getting there in a few weeks to have a tune

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-20 09:06:00 UTC

Can you still use an Optimate with these?

Doon

Doon

2011-12-20 10:09:00 UTC

Post missing.

JohnJJr

JohnJJr

2011-12-20 10:18:00 UTC

Post missing.

SDNerd

SDNerd

2011-12-28 09:50:00 UTC

I got the ballastic ion for my duke.I bought that one over all the others because Parts Unlimited distb them.They are a billion dollar company and you can get them at any dealer in the USA I got the 8 cell for my 990 for the RC8 I will need the 12.
I used it for the first time at Chuckwalla in Nov it took off 10 lbs they work great.Because this is a new tech thing you have to learn how to use them ballastic have a utube video about waking up the battery as long as you do this you will not have any problems.this battery has 100 more charging amps than my stock battery. The price is cheaper than the yuasa that KTM sells. I love this battery it weighs nothing I had the same issue with the wireing and I used the foam to fill the battery box.I think they are many companies that make a good battery.Like I said Parts is a huge company.They knew they would have to warranty these things and they have sold thousands.I do have to say my dealer has sold about 30-40 of these he has only had a problem with aprilia's and one ducati.I had a little problem when it got cold then I saw the video and I learned how to wake up my battery.Bottom line these batteries are the future so when your stock one goes bad you should try one.

JohnJJr

JohnJJr

2011-12-28 18:32:00 UTC

Post missing.

JohnJJr

JohnJJr

2011-12-28 18:47:00 UTC

Post missing.

JohnJJr

JohnJJr

2011-12-28 19:11:00 UTC

I installed a Shorai about 7 months ago. Bought it from Power Tripp in Georgia (USA) and have been extremely pleased.

I've discharged it twice by leaving my radar detector on (for an entire weekend) and after a recharge with my Battery Tender it's working as well as it did on day one. It kicks over way quicker than the stock one ever did. As it gets colder the battery does need to be woken up - it's a strange thing to have to do, and I sometimes forget. This gives me the dreaded reset on the clock. Small price to pay for a 5-6 lbs loss.

Power Tripp's prices are better than any I found, and they ship for free in the US. I got my battery in 2 days. Not affiliated, just a happy customer. linky:

ktmguy

ktmguy

2011-12-28 19:50:00 UTC

Post missing.

JohnJJr

JohnJJr

2011-12-28 20:12:00 UTC

From Shorai's FAQ - it's all counter intuitive - just like the weight of the batteries:

Q. I hear that lithium crank poorly when it gets cold, is that right?
A.Lithium do increase in resistance more as temperature drops, compared to lead-acid. However, they also react to cranking under cold conditions in a much better way. Lead-acid will increase resistance on each subsequent cranking attempt, until it won’t turn over. If your LFX fails to start the engine on first crank, that first crank has warmed the battery, and the second attempt will be much stronger, and so on until you get a good start.

Shorai LFX are much better in cold-weather conditions than other-brand lithium starter batteries, due to our eXtreme-rate formulation with low resistance. Down to about 20 degrees fahrenheit (-7C) most users find that they can start normally on first crank. If your headlight comes on at key-ON, it is good for the batteries to flow some current before cranking in cold weather. The suggested headlight-on time before cranking depends on the temperature. If starting at 40f (5C), 30 seconds will help wake the battery and increase cranking performance. If at 0f (-17C), leave the lights on for 4~5 minutes before cranking. The result will be a better first crank, and longer battery life. Any other accessories that can be turned on before cranking can also be used for this purpose, such as heated gear, radio, etc...

Dutch

Dutch

2011-12-29 16:13:00 UTC

For me I found out in cold weather.I just the turn on key and start putting my gear on.give it a push on the start button and continue getting my gear on then it will start right up.These batteries only lose 10% if the sit for a year. You really don't need to trickle charge them.Look up ballastic battery on google sorry I don't have the link.Get to their home page and you will see about waking up the battery.They show a 103 inch Harley in real cold like freezing weather and it cranks up fine trust me a 103 HD motor needs some cranking power I have an 88 and mine is tough you don't push start this bike ever.You have to learn how to use these battteries they go to sleep if not used for a while thats why they can keep a charge for so long.if you don't wake it up then your bike won't start period.These batteries are so mush better for the envirement they are called green they don't hurt anything when you get rid of them.
Many compianes are making these now but they are all based on the same tech.I have heard that some bikes have a natural draw of power aprilia is one of them so you may have to go up in the cell count my 990 I use the 8 cell my HD will need the 12 and so will my RC8. so far my duke is fine once I learned about the wake up.One thing with ballastic they have a good warranty thru Parts Unlimited.and every dealer in the USA uses Parts so thats what did it for me.The price for the 8 cell I have seen on ebay is $142.00 I got mine for a little cheaper from friends in the M/C business but at $142 that not a bad price KTM want more for their Yuasa and if you buy a standard Yuasa for a duke you will spend close to that retail so thes batteries area bargin just in the weight savings alone.Being this is still new tech you may find some bugs but they are the future and the have been using these thing in moto GP and auto racing for years.We are finally starting to see these modern wonders for us and the price is not bad.

Dutch

Dutch

2012-01-02 11:21:00 UTC

deleted

emuexport

emuexport

2012-01-11 02:10:00 UTC

Installed the Anti-Gravity 12 cell this morning .
got to clean up the battery box and re-tidy up the wiring .
wasn't really a big deal hookin the shorter neg batt wire up even with the battery Tender hookup there as well ....

The battery comes from the factory with about an 80% charge on it. I wasn't totally impressed when i pushed the starter button @ 80%.
Took the bike to my favorite spot/loop , lots of twisties up to Alices Restaurant . Bike's runnin great - lots of 2nd gear wheelies just
cranking the throttle out of turns.

Parked at Alices for about 1 hour and it's kinda cold up there ( not freezing by any means ) but i suspect the battery was then at FULL charge -
hitting the start button CRANKS !!! I like it ! thumbs up ....

emuexport

emuexport

2012-01-11 02:17:00 UTC

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