Which Shorai battery for 961?

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Motorcycle: Norton Commando 961 Sport / MK II / SF - 2015-2017
Standard Recommendation: LFX19A4-BS12MSRP:
Our LFX Standard Recommendation is the best overall pick for most applications, and has been selected to give strong cranking performance and long lifespan. This LFX battery is 2.79 kg (6.15 lbs) lighter than the lead-acid YTZ14S. For technical questions, please see the Shorai FAQ.



Shorai Batteries require a charging system output of 13.1 Volts or higher at idle, and must not exceed 15.2 volts at maximum output.

Which Shorai battery for 961?
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Specifications:
Weight:
2.45 lbs
1.11 kg
Cold Cranking Amps:
285
Polarity:
[+ -]

QTY:

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Raphi said:
LFX18A1-BS12 is what I have and works since 2 years!
Click to expand...

It appears that Shorai have a listing for the Norton 961 . And the LFX19A4-BS12 is the choice. When I purchased my Shorai , there was not a 961 recommendation. But rather a crossing for the Yuasa was how I did it . So get the one Shorai recommends LFX19A4-BS12 .. This may even have a better CCA then the 18A1.
 
Sounds like a plan, thanks for the input chaps.

One more question; about charging:

I have Shorai batteries on other bikes, they don’t need charging often, and when I do, I plug my Shorai charger into the purpose made socket on the battery.

Obviously, the 961 needs charging more frequently. And equally obviously, I don’t want to have to take the tank off every time to get at said socket.

So... Is it ok to use the normal factory supplied charging socket to charge the Shorai? Or is it better to wire in a charge lead that’s permanently plugged into the battery charging socket?
 
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My Shorai did not have a purpose made socket . (That I can remember) When I installed the Shorai I put a charging lead on the battery at that time . So now I can use this or the Norton installed lead .
 
As far as I’m aware, all Shorai battery’s have an in built socket in the battery, covered by a small plastic cover.

I spoke to Carrot Cycles today who are supplying me the battery, they said that using the normal Norton charge lead will work as a basic charge, but it won’t really allow the battery to be maintained correctly. The proper Shorai battery when plugged into the battery socket checks / charges each cell and ensures they are balanced and that this is basically what the battery needs to maintain peak health and performance. They said they get periodic customer complaints about dead batteries only to discover it’s a duff cell due to this.

So, for an extra £9 I bought a lead that will plug into the battery and stay on the bike for easy hook up to the Shorai charger.
 
I just called Carrot and put in an order for battery and charger.... might as well get it done now whilst tank is off.
 
I missed the cover then. And I suppose you need the Shorai charger to use this plug anyway ? Multiple pins and so on . That's what the cable looks like on the Shorai site .
 
Interesting. I hope my stock battery gives up the ghost this summer so I can justify buying this model. I already have the charger.
 
I put the Shorai charger cable plug well protected under the tank. Where I can easily get it out and access to plug in. My first charger cable plug corroded, because it got wet...
 
TonyA said:
I missed the cover then. And I suppose you need the Shorai charger to use this plug anyway ? Multiple pins and so on . That's what the cable looks like on the Shorai site .
Click to expand...
You can see the grey cover on the picture in your earlier post...
 
I got the Shorai, and charged it up on the proper charger, which it definitely seemed to need.

I read the instructions properly this time and, as mentioned previously, using a ‘normal’ charger via the standard charging plug will give the battery a charge and is ok for infrequent use, but it does not maintain the battery properly and will shorten it life / reduce it performance.
 
I have just read a book about Lithium ion batteries (yes I must get out a bit more) It seems that by charging them fully then you reduce the number of times they will take a charge. There is something to be said for undercharging Li-on batteries. I don't suppose this can be done in the day to day running of the bike and I'm pretty sure the bikes charging system won't be able to do it either. Also RC li-po batteries are potentially dangerous
 
I still have issues with mine. Since day one it has been reluctant to reach a full charge as indicated by the Shorai charger. I first tried to charge it after installing it on my 961 - that was a mistake given how much effort is required dealing with the fuel tank. Ultimately I re-installed the stock battery and installed the Shorai on my Triumph which made it easier to work on. I was finally able to get up to full and rode the Triumph most of the summer with it. But it still didn't seem right and starting up the bike got harder and harder.

I am about to send both the battery and charger to the factory where they'll determine if one of them is defective.
 
Battery and charger purchased from Carrot Motorcycles. Fingers crossed this battery will last.
 
Mine still works flawlessly Ben.

Surprised you’ve got the time and energy to be worrying about bike batteries at the moment !

We need to get some rides in soon...
 
I've been using the LFX18A1-BS12 in mine for eight months so far, with no issues. I charge it with a modern conventional charger when necessary, but I think I'll also buy an extra Shorai cable so I can use the Shorai charger occasionally.

Ken
 
Earlier this year my charger kept telling me my battery was over discharged and wouldn't charge, so I used the optimate for a couple of days until I had the time to work out what was up, thought I might have to put the lead acid back on. Anyways, cut a long story short it turned out that the multi-pin connector that is on the battery itself had either lost connection or had become dirty/oxidised.... a few clicks in and out of the plug, giving it a gentle wiggle, and it was back up and charging again.
 
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