Lithium batteries

Stu Bodycote · Sep 23, 2022

Custom settings? You ever sat on a 961? The illumination brightness setting is the only customisable thing....and thats so insignificant, that they dont even bother to mention it in the handbook. There's no date function.
Its that big old dilemma, that has troubled mankind for over 100 years....to know what the time is whilst enjoying a ride out....or not

Fast Eddie · Sep 23, 2022

lcrken said:
An interesting, if maybe irrelevant, factoid is that my new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory bike comes with an Aprilia-branded lithium battery. Don't know which type of lithium chemistry it is, but it was touted by the factory as saving several pounds over the standard AGM battery in the regular Tuono 660. Now I'm wondering if other new bikes are being delivered with lithium batteries.

Ken

Quite a few do Ken. My 2017 CCM did. Also my Honda Africa Twin, so it’s not just the fancy stuff that has ‘em.

City Garage · Sep 23, 2022

lcrken said:
An interesting, if maybe irrelevant, factoid is that my new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory bike comes with an Aprilia-branded lithium battery. Don't know which type of lithium chemistry it is, but it was touted by the factory as saving several pounds over the standard AGM battery in the regular Tuono 660. Now I'm wondering if other new bikes are being delivered with lithium batteries.

Ken

Yes many are, especially in the dirt world

City Garage · Sep 23, 2022

Stu Bodycote said:
Custom settings? You ever sat on a 961? The illumination brightness setting is the only customisable thing....and thats so insignificant, that they dont even bother to mention it in the handbook. There's no date function.
Its that big old dilemma, that has troubled mankind for over 100 years....to know what the time is whilst enjoying a ride out....or not

No, he is just trolling the 961 forum as others do from time to time with no apparent positive input.

City Garage · Sep 23, 2022

lcrken said:
An interesting, if maybe irrelevant, factoid is that my new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory bike comes with an Aprilia-branded lithium battery. Don't know which type of lithium chemistry it is, but it was touted by the factory as saving several pounds over the standard AGM battery in the regular Tuono 660. Now I'm wondering if other new bikes are being delivered with lithium batteries.

Ken

And those are Bosch branded batteries in Aprilla. Expensive as #$%^

Stu Bodycote · Sep 23, 2022

City Garage said:
No, he is just trolling the 961 forum as others do from time to time with no apparent positive input.

Ahh ok.....hope I didn't accidentally feed them. Trolls can be like stray cats lol

Stu Bodycote · Sep 23, 2022

City Garage said:
And those are Bosch branded batteries in Aprilla. Expensive as #$%^

You seen the price of those Super B's chap? The one used in the V4 was nearly £300 retail

TonyA · Sep 23, 2022

lcrken said:
An interesting, if maybe irrelevant, factoid is that my new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory bike comes with an Aprilia-branded lithium battery. Don't know which type of lithium chemistry it is, but it was touted by the factory as saving several pounds over the standard AGM battery in the regular Tuono 660. Now I'm wondering if other new bikes are being delivered with lithium batteries.

Ken

Hello Ken , You have a Aprilia 660 Tuono Factory ? Nice , How do you like it ? How does it compare to your other bikes ?

lcrken · Sep 23, 2022

TonyA said:
Hello Ken , You have a Aprilia 660 Tuono Factory ? Nice , How do you like it ? How does it compare to your other bikes ?

Hi Tony, so far I have just over 800 miles on it and am very happy with it. It is similar in many ways to my 2009 Triumph Street Triple, which I've fallen in love with. It weighs a little less, makes slightly less horsepower, and is an inch shorter wheelbase. If Triumph had included a 6-axis IMU, with leaned over traction control and ABS in their latest Street Triple, I'd probably have bought one of them instead. I wanted to try a modern bike with all the electronic wizardry before I got too old to appreciate it. I was also moving down in the weight category. 500+ lb bikes have now become a liability for me in terms of pushing them around on gravel hillside parking areas, not to mention in my shop. As much as I like my 961, this bike is way superior in all performance aspects, and the 400 lb. wet weight is a real plus for me. I have raised the bars an inch, and added crash guards, but otherwise it is stock, and I don't anticipate making any significant changes, just riding it. It is absolutely superb in the twisty canyon roads we usually ride around here.

But I'm not planning to give up my Nortons either. Different bikes for different purposes.

Ken

worntorn · Sep 23, 2022

lcrken said:
Hi Tony, so far I have just over 800 miles on it and am very happy with it. It is similar in many ways to my 2009 Triumph Street Triple, which I've fallen in love with. It weighs a little less, makes slightly less horsepower, and is an inch shorter wheelbase. If Triumph had included a 6-axis IMU, with leaned over traction control and ABS in their latest Street Triple, I'd probably have bought one of them instead. I wanted to try a modern bike with all the electronic wizardry before I got too old to appreciate it. I was also moving down in the weight category. 500+ lb bikes have now become a liability for me in terms of pushing them around on gravel hillside parking areas, not to mention in my shop. As much as I like my 961, this bike is way superior in all performance aspects, and the 400 lb. wet weight is a real plus for me. I have raised the bars an inch, and added crash guards, but otherwise it is stock, and I don't anticipate making any significant changes, just riding it. It is absolutely superb in the twisty canyon roads we usually ride around here.

But I'm not planning to give up my Nortons either. Different bikes for different purposes.

Ken

Same here, I'm losing interest in heavier bikes as I age.
The favourite these days is the 310lb(dry) Norton that has your alloy cylinder fitted.

Glen

Stephen_Spencer · Oct 7, 2022

The below is worth a read to inform the Lithium battery debate. It visits most of the thread discussion points.

Lithium Motorcycle Batteries: Myths VS Realities - Updated

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the lead-acid battery.Invented in 1859, the first rechargeable battery has been honed to an extremely high state of tune.In fact, it is so ubiquitous that almost every gasoline-powered motor vehicle on the planet uses them to start their engines.

www.motorcycle.com

Of all of the bikes I’ve owned, my 961 has needed the most scrutiny to ensure a healthy battery and strong starting. I’m in the Shorai lithium/Shorai BMS club and have had great results - despite the average (at best) build and connection quality of the Shorai BMS. Reduced weight is welcome, but the strong kick those extra CCA’s give the Norton on starting seem more important. Just gotta keep an eye on the setup and ensure to cycle fully from ‘store’ to ‘charge’ (just) before riding and vice versa when the ride is over.

The charging system on my bike delivers 14.6/14.7 volts, read from the internal clock voltmeter. For some reason I keep this on display at all times - it gives me a comforting feeling for some unknown reason. It was’nt until yesterday when the bike was in for a service that a fastidious service technician set the time on the clocks. Guess I’ve never really cared to know the time whilst riding the Norton

!

City Garage · Oct 7, 2022

Stephen_Spencer said:
The below is worth a read to inform the Lithium battery debate. It visits most of the thread discussion points.

Lithium Motorcycle Batteries: Myths VS Realities - Updated

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the lead-acid battery.Invented in 1859, the first rechargeable battery has been honed to an extremely high state of tune.In fact, it is so ubiquitous that almost every gasoline-powered motor vehicle on the planet uses them to start their engines.

www.motorcycle.com

Of all of the bikes I’ve owned, my 961 has needed the most scrutiny to ensure a healthy battery and strong starting. I’m in the Shorai lithium/Shorai BMS club and have had great results - despite the average (at best) build and connection quality of the Shorai BMS. Reduced weight is welcome, but the strong kick those extra CCA’s give the Norton on starting seem more important. Just gotta keep an eye on the setup and ensure to cycle fully from ‘store’ to ‘charge’ (just) before riding and vice versa when the ride is over.

The charging system on my bike delivers 14.6/14.7 volts, read from the internal clock voltmeter. For some reason I keep this on display at all times - it gives me a comforting feeling for some unknown reason. It was’nt until yesterday when the bike was in for a service that a fastidious service technician set the time on the clocks. Guess I’ve never really cared to know the time whilst riding the Norton !

It gets even better if your starter is upgraded. The 1.4 high torque we use is outstanding.

Gojuu · Oct 8, 2022

@City Garage what’s that in comparison to the standard unit?

TonyA · Oct 8, 2022

Standard Sportster is 1.0 to 1.1 KW , the High Torque motor is about 1/4 in. longer.

City Garage · Oct 8, 2022

TonyA said:
Standard Sportster is 1.0 to 1.1 KW , the High Torque motor is about 1/4 in. longer.

what Tony said^^^^^^^^

Stephen_Spencer · Oct 8, 2022

I’m all for improvements and pre-emptive maintenance, but also a signed up member of the ‘if it ain’t broke’ club. The bikes starting first push (button, not bike

) every time atm.

I have a list of things that may go wrong and will likely need attention in the future with a few more miles onboard. For example I’ll take a look at the clutch basket/ring gear when the opportunity presents or if I get an indication through engine noise. I have half an eye on other common stuff too but whilst she’s running sweet I’m gonna leave well alone. I’ll add the option for an improved starter to the list though - did’nt know that was an option. Thanks CG.

City Garage · Oct 8, 2022

Stephen_Spencer said:
I’m all for improvements and pre-emptive maintenance, but also a signed up member of the ‘if it ain’t broke’ club. The bikes starting first push (button, not bike) every time atm.

I have a list of things that may go wrong and will likely need attention in the future with a few more miles onboard. For example I’ll take a look at the clutch basket/ring gear when the opportunity presents or if I get an indication through engine noise. I have half an eye on other common stuff too but whilst she’s running sweet I’m gonna leave well alone. I’ll add the option for an improved starter to the list though - did’nt know that was an option. Thanks CG.

I agree, no need to change. There is all sorts of options when you do. the 1.4 is overkill but it works. You can get polished cases, black wrinkle finish, etc. so it cleans up

TonyA · Oct 8, 2022

City Garage said:
what Tony said^^^^^^^^

City Garage said:
It gets even better if your starter is upgraded. The 1.4 high torque we use is outstanding.

Hello Lance , If you don't mind me asking . What starters do you reccommend for the 961 ? I have be telling folks to go for HD OEM .

City Garage · Oct 8, 2022

I prefer SPYKE when I can get them since they are local to me but many companies stock them OEM is fine since they are all basically Chinese anyways. V-Factor for crinkle black and rough grey, AllBalls has some as well nice ones.

Fast Eddie · Oct 9, 2022

Vernon240, did you get to the bottom of this ?

Lithium batteries

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