Lithium-ion batteries remain to be the most popular battery of choice among electronics and gadgets, including motorcycles. They are preferred for their small and compact size yet powerful performance.
There are pros and cons to using lithium-ion motorcycle batteries. The pros include the absence of maintenance, the stronger battery performance, and its green initiative. The cons include susceptibility to aging, the expensive cost, and its sensitivity issues to weather elements.
Weighing the pros and cons will help you decide if this is the best option for your motorcycle battery.
Advantages Of Lithium-Ion Motorcycle Batteries
There are many pros to using lithium-ion motorcycle batteries. This technology is so advantageous that even electronic devices have adapted its usage to this day.
Little To No Maintenance Required
One of the biggest advantages of using li-on batteries is the absence of maintenance. It is so convenient because it does not require as much upkeep as other types of batteries.
Wet cell motorcycle batteries store acid in liquid form. It discharges said acid and can result in leakage. There are even battery types that require you to top off the acid every now and then to recharge the battery cells within. You no longer have to replenish any acid in a li-on battery.
A dry composition also means that there is no chance of leakages. The leakages are problematic as they can cause corrosion to the battery terminals, cables, and plates. You no longer have to regularly wipe any leakages, or worry if the plastic caps are indeed sealed shut.
Stronger Battery Performance
Li-on batteries have such strong performance that they can power up full-size and higher performance motorcycles. Its modern and lightweight design is jam-packed with power that it is used for high-speed motorcycles.
Most riders prefer this to the wet cell versions because your motorcycle can now pack so much power without all the weight. It is portable and it keeps your motorcycle lightweight. Its small size also ensures that the batteries stay hidden in lighter frames. The less bulky your motorcycle is, the less air resistance and the better the performance will be.
Greener Option
This is the battery option for you if you wish to pay back Mother Nature. Li-on batteries have significantly fewer emissions compared to older models. It has no combustion so you do not have to worry about byproducts like heat and exhaust.
It is also such an efficient energy source that keeps your carbon footprint to a minimum. If you use it for an electronic motorcycle, the energy conversion is at sixty-one percent efficiency. That means most of the stored energy is actually converted and used as mechanical energy. That is more efficient than the traditional gasoline which is only twenty-one percent efficient.
Disadvantages Of Lithium-Ion Motorcycle Batteries
There are a few downsides to consider before subscribing to lithium-ion motorcycle batteries, such as its aging pace, the cos, and sensitivity issues.
Greatly Affected By Aging
Despite the power, there is a cap in terms of the usage of li-on batteries. It is not ideal for long drives. That is because it is a consumable product that is greatly affected by aging. It can only withstand a certain number of cycles and its viability degrades over time. Most li-on batteries can only be used for about five hundred to a thousand cycles before you need to dispose of them. There is a fixed expiration date rather than other batteries that you can simply recharge to extend its lifespan.
Li-on batteries also degrade whether or not they are being used. Other battery types can use trickle chargers while in storage to make them last longer. Li-on batteries must be kept at about forty to forty percent charge before storage.
More Expensive
The cost is the biggest disadvantage of li-on batteries. They cost about forty percent more than typical motorcycle batteries. Their production cost is so much higher which is why they cost more than the mainstream options.
Another reason that accounts for the expensive price tag is the fact that it is deemed as a developing technology that is still not yet matured. You need to upgrade to expensive charging systems just so you can boost the viability of the li-on batteries. Neglecting to charge it properly and then using it can immediately result in irreversible damage that will require you to replace the unit.
Sensitivity Issues
The li-on battery is more sensitive to elements like water and temperature. Even the tiniest spray of water can render it useless by corroding its parts. As such, you need to secure the battery with waterproof materials to ensure that it will not be exposed to moisture.
Li-on batteries are also very sensitive to cold weather. During the winter season, it should be stored properly and warmed up regularly so that it will not completely freeze over and get damaged. Wet cell batteries also face the same issue but aren’t as sensitive to the cold. Li-on batteries, on the other hand, require a constant stream of heat, electric charges, and ample warm-up time to restart.
2 Best Lithium Motorcycle Batteries
| Antigravity Batteries AG-1601 Lithium Motorcycle Battery | Battery Tender Lithium Motorcycle Battery with Smart Battery Management System (BMS) |
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