Lithium batteries are rechargeable batteries and are often used for motorcycles that are electrically charged. Electric bikes are getting their share of popularity nowadays because of the rising prices of gasoline. E-bikes are more economical and environment-friendly.
What are the pros and cons of Lithium Motorcycle Battery? As lithium batteries are getting popular nowadays for electronically run vehicles, we might as well know the limitations and advantages of using lithium motorcycle batteries.
Here are the pros and cons of Lithium battery:
Pros:
● No leakage problems
● Discharge Rate is slow
● It can be used for high-speed bikes
● It’s for bringing out the design of the bike
● It offers a warranty
Cons:
● It has usage limitations
● Warranties are limited
● Charging system needs to upgrade
● A small amount of water
● Extreme cold temperature
● Discharge issues
More Details On The Pros And Cons Of The Batteries
Pros:
● No leakage problems. Compared to lead-acid batteries, lithium cells don’t have problems with acid leaks. Perhaps, this is one good advantage of lithium over lead-acid batteries.
● Discharge Rate is Slow. Most bikers love adventures and the outdoors. Their bike is just a hobby for them. The fact that motorcycle is their primary source of transportation makes it clear that some bikes will only be stored for extended periods. Lithium batteries have a significant advantage because it has a slow discharge rate.
● It can be used for High-speed bikes. If you think lithium batteries are only for small E-bikes, you are wrong. We can also use lithium batteries for big bikes. Because it is lightweight and portable than its lead-acid counterpart, lithium is more preferred by High-speed riders when they want to have a higher performance from their bikes.
● It’s for bringing out the design of the bike. For aesthetic purposes, most bike owners would like to keep their batteries from showing. The lightweight feature of lithium, they can do the hiding without any difficulty. They can hide it under seats or upside down. Lithium batteries can be fixed anywhere they wish to have it.
● Offers Warranty. It was one of the best features when you purchased the lithium battery for your motorcycle. If you installed the battery during the manufacturing date, they sometimes offer a warranty of three to five years.
Cons:
● It has usage limitations. There are some limitations for using the lithium-ion battery. You cannot use this once you lost the ignition system of the bike.
● Warranties are limited. If you are using a racing bike, do not expect to get a warranty from the manufacturer. They do not offer guarantees for big bikes.
● Charging system needs to upgrade. The charging system for a lithium-ion battery should be able to maintain a stable charging system of 13.6 to 14.4V. Old or classic bikes which are unable to keep this needs an upgrade. However, there is a big chance that this might not be successful and may cause further damage to the original parts of the motorcycle.
● A small amount of water. Remember that a lithium battery can only handle a bottle of water spray. You cannot use this in case there will be water ingress.
● Discharge issues. When a lithium battery is discharged, you need to charge it before using for the next time entirely. Using the battery without fully charging it may cause permanent damage to the battery and may shorten its life span.
● Extreme cold temperature. It is one of the disadvantages of a lithium battery. It has a difficult time starting during the winter season. In a case like this, you need to warm it up by leaving the engine on for some time until it warms up a bit before clicking the starter.
The pros and cons of using Lithium ion batteries for your motorcycles will help you decide if there will be the right choice for your bike. The secret to a lasting battery depends on your usage and maintenance. A lithium battery can extend its life if you will follow the charging instructions and maintain it well.
Lithium-Ion Vs. Lead Acid Motor Cycle Battery
There’s are a lot of misconception between Lithium-ion batteries and Lead Acid batteries. Lead acid batteries have long been with us for our vehicle and car use. However, when lithium-ion batteries were introduced, a lot of motorists, motor riders, in particular, have switched to the use of Lithium-ion cells.
Which one is better for our cars and vehicles, like motorcycles?
Lithium-Ion Battery
We will try to analyze each one of them. We will begin with a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion cells are a product of technology. It is made of modern materials and substances that are far more advanced than a lead-acid battery.
How Long Do Lithium-Ion Motorcycle Batteries Last?
Lithium batteries can last up to 2000 cycles and can still increase to 5000 cycles if you maintain it right. Lithium batteries generally last longer than a lead-acid cell which only lasts up to 500 to 1000 cycles.
Can Lithium-Ion Motorcycle Battery Be Charged With A Regular Charger?
To answer this query, I would say that a lithium-ion battery is not recommended to use a regular charger. There is a specific and advanced technology used in manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. Ordinary chargers are for ordinary batteries or lead-acid cells.
Lithium-ion batteries do not have equalization mode which is the primary feature of a regular charger. Using other chargers not meant for a lithium-ion battery may only create damage to the battery.
Lead-acid uses equalization mode to maintain or control the flow of current during the charging stage.
Is Lithium-Ion Battery Maintenance Free?
Li-ion batteries are low-maintenance, and it has an advantage that other chemistries don’t have. Li-ion cells have no memory and no longer needs exercising to maintain its excellent shape. For this kind of battery, it has a self-discharge which is half of the nickel-based systems, and it can help in gauging the fuel applications.
Nominal cell voltage is set at 3.60V, and it can directly supply power to mobile phones, digital cameras, and tablets. Some of the significant drawbacks of this battery are that it needs protection for circuits to avoid abuse and of course the high price of the item itself.
Are Lithium-Ion Batteries Good Fit For Motorcycle?
Considering the many factors that may affect your choice like the rising prices of gasoline in the world market, choosing Li-ion batteries over the other kind is an advantage.
If you are one of those using and riding electric motorcycles, you can easily relate to this. Expenditure wise, you can save a lot of money when you use Lithium-ion batteries. Citing all the pros and cons of a lithium-ion battery, you can easily predict which one is adaptable for electric motorcycle use.
I can say that Lithium-ion batteries are a good fit for motorcycles!
What Can Other Vehicle Be Used By Lithium-Ion Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries are so lightweight yet so powerful. It can power up other vehicles than electric bikes. These are the other vehicles which can run on a Li-ion battery.
● Tesla Cars
● Electric Scooter
● Electric Skateboard
● One-wheels
● Hoverboard
● Electric bike
● Electric motorcycle
● Segway
● Unicycle
Advantages Of Using Lithium-Ion Battery
1. Energy density is one of the most significant advantages why you should use a Li-ion battery for your scooter. You will only use four Li-ion batteries, while you need six for a lead-acid battery.
2. Lithium-ion holds a longer charge than a lead-acid battery. A Li-ion cell is also more resilient to self-discharge.
3. Lithium-ion batteries are more environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages Of Using Lithium-Ion Battery
1. You need an internal electric circuitry to prevent the battery from self-discharging. Or to protect it against overcharging during extreme weather condition.
2. Lithium-ion batteries are particular when it comes to the charger. You can only use the charger specified for a Li-ion battery. Using a regular charger may damage the battery itself.
3. Lithium-ion batteries are more pricey than a lead-acid battery.
4. There are certain restrictions when it comes to carrying your Li-ion batteries at the airport. You cannot place it in your checked-in baggage. Li-ion cells should be taken with you onboard.
Lead Acid Battery
It is the oldest form of battery and yet still widely used up to now. Lead acid batteries are considered to be the cheapest form of cells we used today.
Is Lead Acid Motorcycle Battery Maintenance Free?
There are three types of Lead acid battery, the flooded and gel type, and the AGM type. Of these three, the AGM type is considered to be maintenance free battery.
Therefore, not all motorcycle batteries are maintenance free. You have the option to choose which one you would like to use.
Lead Acid Battery Lifespan
An SLA or sealed lead acid can be stored in a shelf with room temperature for about a year. Though it is not recommended to save the battery that long, they require to charge the battery every six to nine months.
A sealed lead acid battery or SLA usually discharges at around 3% per month.
Lead Acid Battery Types
There are several lead-acid battery types. You may want to familiarize yourselves with these battery types and decide which one will work well for you.
● Flooded lead-acid Batteries
● Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
● AGM Sealed Lead Acid Battery
● Gel Sealed Lead Acid Types
● Deep Cycle Lead Acid Batteries
● Cranking or Engine Starting Lead Acid Batteries
What Can Other Electric Transports Be Used By Lead Acid Battery?
Lead acid batteries are widely used anywhere in the industry. Since it is one of the oldest forms of assault, it caters to many types of vehicles like:
● Cars
● RVs
● Submarines
● Electric scooters and wheelchairs
● Bicycles
● Golf carts
● Motorcycles
● and many more.
Advantage Of Using Lead Acid Battery
1. Lead acid is used globally because of its cheap production.
2. It is more reliable and more resistant to harsh condition with very minimal maintenance.
3. Though it is made from toxic materials, lead-acid batteries are recyclable.
Disadvantage Of Using Lead Acid battery
1. The size of a lead acid battery is heavy and bulky for a given capacity.
2. If it is not recycled well, lead acid can be harmful to the environment.
3. It has a shorter lifespan.
Presenting the lithium motorcycle battery pros and cons will give you a clearer idea of how the battery works. Will it be a perfect match for you and your motorcycle, then it is up to you to decide, weigh the pros and cons before considering your choice.
