Is ANYONE running a smaller battery that can give me a report?

[Bodi]

Hey everyone.

I know I created a battery thread awhile back, and got some information, but, now I'm looking for anyone who's actually ran a smaller battery.

I've got a 79 XS11 standard that's been hardtailed, and there just plain isn't much room to run the stock battery. My only realistic option is to run it length wise with the bike, centered by the shaft drive. Close to stock location, but, turned 90*. I personally think it looks absolutely ridiculous, and even that way it doesn't fit well. Stock location hits the new hardtail tubing, and even after cutting out the stock battery box there isn't enough room between the shaft drive and the bottom of the new frame. :

So, anyone running something else and had any success? I know that the charging system is pretty much a loss below 2k rpm, and all that, but, I'm just wondering if anyone else has run anything much smaller with any luck. If this thing were like 2-3" narrower I'd be fine, but, I don't know just how little I can get away with... I'm not running much off of it. A headlight, a taillight, and that's it.

THANKS!

[joceiphus]

You're gonna have to pioneer this one.

[cywelchjr]

Under those conditions with no starter involved (I'm assuming this since you didn't mention it) you should be able to use anything small that will fit, as it just has to keep the system excited at idle. Either that or go for one of the small shoria batteries which could give you almost stock capacity for much smaller size and weight, but they are a bit pricey. That said, they handle being run down really well (it's a nature of the technology being LiFe cells) where pretty much all of your lead acid type, even those designed for deep cycle use don't do as well, it's just a limitation of the tech.

[Bodi]

Under those conditions with no starter involved (I'm assuming this since you didn't mention it) you should be able to use anything small that will fit, as it just has to keep the system excited at idle. Either that or go for one of the small shoria batteries which could give you almost stock capacity for much smaller size and weight, but they are a bit pricey. That said, they handle being run down really well (it's a nature of the technology being LiFe cells) where pretty much all of your lead acid type, even those designed for deep cycle use don't do as well, it's just a limitation of the tech.

I would really like to use the stock starter. I just don't imagine kicking this thing over being that much fun on a hot day. Especially considering I'm not too certain of the condition of its' tune-up. I'll gladly do it once I know it starts well, if I have to, or for show, but, I'd much prefer being able to use the starter since it is there and works.

I'll have to check into the Shorias, but, for now I am planning on getting a new YTX20l-BS for my 1998 Yamaha Royal Star. It's just a few inches narrower than the stock battery for the XS11, so, I'll see how well it will crank this thing over. I'm not sure of the CCA, but, I know it's 18 A/hrs. Only one way to find out if it will crank it over. I don't see how it could crank a 1300cc V4, and a 1700cc Vtwin, but, not be able to crank an 1100 I4 unless the XS11s starter is just that inefficient. As far as the discharge at under 2k, fortunately there's not much traffic around here. We'll see how it goes. Maybe if it becomes a problem I'll stash a small batcap under the tank.

[Big Beadle]

smaller battery

I am running a etx18lbs from car-quest/dekka and its alot smaller than the stocker and i have a ton of chicken lights and the last year and a half no problems so far, and it is also a AGM battery ill never go back to lead acid

[ManagerMike]

I run an AGM battery as well, they come in a huge variety of sizes, configurations and capacities. I'm sure you can find one that will crank just fine and fit with room to spare.

[cywelchjr]

I am running a etx18lbs from car-quest/dekka and its alot smaller than the stocker and i have a ton of chicken lights and the last year and a half no problems so far, and it is also a AGM battery ill never go back to lead acid

AGM is an improved type of Lead acid, but it is indeed supposed to be an improvement, but I'm told you must be 100% certain you don't overcharge them. If you have a maintainer, make sure it's compatible (not all are) and many Honda's (remembering to my talks with the battery guy, it was Honda's that eat the things like crazy) will kill the things in a year, Goldwings are apparently (in)famous for killing batteries by overcharging them (they can run a lot of accessories though). But the LiFe batteries are even smaller and lighter for the same capacity, and will give full cranking power far far lower into the reserve pool than any other available battery technology available for use on a motorcycle today. However, they are about 2.5 times the price of AGM. One of the things that has me REALLY thinking hard about LiFe is that the shelf time on them is over 12 months. For those who's bikes have to sit out the winter, they can sit on the shelf, or even in the bike all winter and then crank the bike right over without having to have been charged at all through the winter, and still be at well over 80% charge. Oh, and they provide full cranking current and voltage down to about 25% charge which is pretty awesome if your charging system goes out, they will get you a LOT further before the bike dies than lead acid or AGM. That said, for me who rides year round and who's bike never sits I'm not sure it's worth it. If I had a second bike that sat most of the time however, I think I'd put an LiFe battery in it, just so I didn't have to worry about keeping it charged .

[T99Ford]

+1 for LiFe's! Particularly in small, low clearance, and light weight applications. Everyone here has by now heard my Shorai story, but it is working very, very well, and and the 14 AH battery cranks my 1000 twin over hot no problem!

[flydog]

Agm

I replaced the strange and hard to find "T" shaped battery in my Shadow 1100 with a much smaller AGM that had a higher amperage rating and so far it has been flawless. I have had the Shadow for close to 10 years and it has always been hard to start with anything less than a excellent battery. That being said I do like the large battery in the XS11 and when the time comes I'd like to replace it with a same sized AGM. I'd like to have the capacity, I hate pushing big motorcycles....