WHAT IS IT? The Shorai battery is 33 ounces lighter than the stock
KTM Yuasa YTX battery. It uses lithium iron phosphate technology,
instead of the traditional lead-acid construction.
WHAT’S IT COST?
$109.95 (LFX-09L2-BS12); $99.94 (LFX-07L2-BS12).
CONTACT?
(888) 477-4848 or www.shoraibattery.com.
WHAT STANDS OUT?
Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Shorai KTM battery.
(1) Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFX). Don’t confuse a lithium iron phosphate battery with the more commonly used lithium ion battery. A lithium iron phosphate battery has a higher resistance to thermal runaway, longer calendar life, quick recharge rate, five times as many available discharge cycles, higher peak-power rating and lower cost. Shorai LFX batteries contain no poisonous lead, no acid and do not create gases during charge (as traditional lead-acid batteries do). Compared to lead acid, Shorai LFX lithium batteries are lighter and deliver a more powerful punch to the starting system. It should be noted that most of the lightweight batteries made for KTMs are iron phosphate—so this isn't a selling point over the competition.
(2) Weight.
When you buy a new KTM, your friendly local dealer is supposed to give you two batteries: a 4.0 amp unit for summer and a 5.0 amp battery for cold-weather starts. Typically, the 4.0 amp battery is in the bike. The stock Yuasa KTM batteries are heavy. The 4.0 amp battery weighs 3 pounds, 4 ounces (and the 5.0 amp unit weighs about 1 pound more). In comparison, the Shorai LFX-09L2-GS12 battery weighs 1 pound, 3 ounces. No matter how you cut it, that is a weight savings of 33 ounces (i.e., 2 pounds, 1 ounce). It would take about $2000 worth of titanium to save that much weight on your KTM.
(3) Experience.
The MXA wrecking crew has considerable lithium iron phosphate experience via TurnTech batteries, Super B and Shorai. The TurnTechs were equally light and worked well (even in the smallest size possible), but we did suffer two cracked battery casings. The Shorai LFX and Super B come in a more complete package (including self-sticking foam padding to make the battery fit in any battery box). The battery wars are heating up...you can expect even lighter batteries every month.
(4) Performance.
We noticed several things.
(a) Two pounds is a lot of weight to save.
(b) It is rechargeable with a standard-issue lead-acid battery charger (not to exceed 15 volts).
(c) As the battery warmed up, it seemed to gain amperage and spin the engine faster.
(d) Cold weather didn’t affect it as much as the stock lead-acid battery.
(e) Since there is no lead or acid in the lithium iron phosphate batteries, they can be disposed of more easily; however, remember to discharge fully before throwing away.
(f) Shorai offers a two-year warranty.
(g) Battery terminals can be mounted to the top or sides of the battery posts.
(h) We tested two different Shorai batteries. We had no issues with the more powerful LFX-09L2-BS12 battery. It produces 135 cold cranking amps (CCA), while the smaller and lighter LFX-07L2-BS12 puts out 102 CCA. On cold days, the lighter battery wouldn’t start our 450SXF first thing (until we bump started it once). If you live in a cold climate, CCAs are important. If you have an electric start KTM two-stroke, go with the bigger battery also.
WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? There are lighter batteries.
If it didn’t do anything but save two pounds, we’d be ecstatic. But not only does it save 2 pounds, it starts the bike perfectly.
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