Thinking of buying the new Harley Lithium Life 8ah Battery

[Ratman1640]

I'm thinking of buying the new Harley Lithium Life 8ah Battery for my 2013 glide with the 110 tire shredder kit on it and I was wondering if anyone has ran this battery and if there was any problems with it. Thanks! Mike

[FXDBI]

No experience with H-D lithium batteries, have had a antigravity for I bought years ago that has been flawless. They have a sale right now 25% off use code AG25.   Bob

[kd]

The one thing I have heard from a dealer manager is they are done if discharged too low.  Don't forget to turn off your switch or security if you go away for long. 

The Antigravity units now have battery management preventing under and overcharge damage, a restart / jumpstart feature, charge condition light and extra posts for your accessories. They have way higher CCA and Ah, a 3 year warranty and claim over twice the life span.  They are known for their customer service. I have the ATX-30-HD 970 CCA.  Check their web site for info. There's lots of stuff to see and a few selections.

https://antigravitybatteries.com/

https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/starter-batteries/restart-oem/atx30-rs/

[Helmwurst]

I bought a new L-ion battery from Bike Master. So far so good. I also bought a matching charger for it. I picked it over the HD battery, because, it has more cranking power and it also was a little cheaper in price. I fought my original HD battery in my 17 RGS for over a year, even took the bike in for a no start issue and dealer tested battery and say a-ok. Short side of this story is, original battery was junk, stranded me, would not turn engine over, had to jump it, then 2 days to fully charge back up. New L-ion battery spins motor over and fires right up, plug in tender when parked and it is charged in about 2 mins.

[kd]

I forgot to mention the L-ion uses a different charger that charges in stages.  You need one of those or a dual purpose that will do both battery types.  That's an extra expense but IMO well worth it if it has a maintainer function. 

For not too much money I also have an AntiGravity Bluetooth Battery Tracker that monitors all of the battery functions and maintains a 31 day report on cranking, charging and use.  I can set it so if I walk within Bluetooth range of the bike it sends me an update on conditions on my phone or any other schedule I choose.   I just got one 

[jmorton10]

The one thing I have heard from a dealer manager is they are done if discharged too low.

I have not found this to be true at all.  My anti gravity LI battery has been flat ass dead at least three time now (last time was when my voltage regulator crapped out & I was trying to make it home before the battery went dead but didn't make it) & the battery charged back up & still works just fine one year later.

I have the LI charger that anti  gravity sells & hook it up when it's parked as it works as a tender also.  I have had the battery in there at least five years now, & it still cranks over my  HC 124 like the plugs are out.

~John

[Hossamania]

The one thing I have heard from a dealer manager is they are done if discharged too low.

I have not found this to be true at all.  My anti gravity LI battery has been flat ass dead at least three time now (last time was when my voltage regulator crapped out & I was trying to make it home before the battery went dead but didn't make it) & the battery charged back up & still works just fine one year later.

I have the LI charger that anti  gravity sells & hook it up when it's parked as it works as a tender also.  I have had the battery in there at least five years now, & it still cranks over my  HC 124 like the plugs are out.

~John

I believe he was referring to the Harley battery.

[kd]

The one thing I have heard from a dealer manager is they are done if discharged too low.

I have not found this to be true at all.  My anti gravity LI battery has been flat ass dead at least three time now (last time was when my voltage regulator crapped out & I was trying to make it home before the battery went dead but didn't make it) & the battery charged back up & still works just fine one year later.

I have the LI charger that anti  gravity sells & hook it up when it's parked as it works as a tender also.  I have had the battery in there at least five years now, & it still cranks over my  HC 124 like the plugs are out.

~John

I believe he was referring to the Harley battery.

Thanks Hoss.  It was poorly worded but that's what I meant.   The AG batteries are protected against over discharge so when it happens you can bring it back to life properly.

[CVORoadKing2013]

I bought one. Had a lot of trouble starting the bike below 45 deg. When the battery is coud it does not work well. You have to warm up the battery. I took mine out and it is sitting in the basement.

Couple companies have videos showing how to start a bike in colder weather with the lithium batteries.

[kd]

Turn the key on with the lights and put your jacket and gloves etc. on before you attempt to start.  When you go back to hit the button the battery has woke up and will spin it like it's a warm day.  Some will just bump the engine a couple of times or so and get the same results.  The battery probably came with those instructions.

[les]

I'm running this one in my 2011 Road King.

[Appowner]

Just to be clear, the Anti Grav units appear to be Lithium Ion (LiPo) while the HD unit is LiFe.  There is a difference!

The Anti Grav units have the protection circuitry in them simply because LiPo batteries do really bad things when over charged or discharged.  And they may not do it right away but wait until they have you in some remote place.  And then blow your bike up.  Yep!  LiPo are know for their abilities to start fires and even explode a bit if misused.

On the flip, LiFe don't.  But that means they don't need protection circuitry and so you can discharge them to destruction.  But at least they won't take you or your bike with them.

My other hobby, Radio Controlled model airplanes makes considerable use of both LiPo and LiFe.  And I've been witness to some spectacular model fires from the LiPo.

Now, would I use one from Anti Grav?  Yep!  As long as they had those protection circuits.
Would I use a LiPo without those circuits?  No Way!

[scott7d]

I had a lithium ion in my Road King and as someone mentioned, they definitely do not like starting up in cold weather. The method of letting it warm up is accurate. I would turn the switch and leave my head light on for a few minutes. It would still struggle a tad, but then the rest of the day it would be fine. No issues at all on warm days.

[Ratman1640]

Well I think I'm going to order one. Just called two Harley shops and one is in Kansas city and Has them but wont ship it because of the hazard thing and the other is in Oklahoma and they don't have one but will order one for me and have it next week which will work because I'm an hour from them living in southeast Kansas. You know .. the land of perfect nothingness lol. Thanks for all the information on this, it was very helpful also I will be buying the duel mode charger with it !! Thanks again !!!! Mike

[kd]

If you're in Kansas, give California Phil a call in Concordia.  He's in the vendor section here and I'll bet you won't be sorry you reached out to him.    

[cheech]

If you're in Kansas, give California Phil a call in Concordia.  He's in the vendor section here and I'll bet you won't be sorry you reached out to him.   

It's a huge indiscretion for anyone on this board to not buy from Phil!

[boooby1744]

Get a good charger and use it every 2 weeks,4S 5A.

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[jmorton10]

That is the same charger I use.

~John

[Grof]

Get a good charger and use it every 2 weeks,4S 5A.

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why not just leave it on bike connected , can it damage battery if it's connected all the time .
tnx
Grof

[boooby1744]

Grof, I'm sure you can. Just me,I see it green I just unplug and disconnect.

[Bikerscum]

Seems odd that that charger would say 12.8v, Antigravity lists a full charge @13.25v and I confirmed that with both of mine 

Maybe 'cause of the different battery type.

[CVORoadKing2013]

Turn the key on with the lights and put your jacket and gloves etc. on before you attempt to start.  When you go back to hit the button the battery has woke up and will spin it like it's a warm day.  Some will just bump the engine a couple of times or so and get the same results.  The battery probably came with those instructions.

The Harley Battery does not. I tried bumping the battery. I may have bumped to long a few times and it would pull the batter voltage so low it would reset the miles to empty.

[Hossamania]

It sounds like your battery needs a good charge. I'm not sure how you bump it over too long, it should just start if it is cranked over more than a few revolutions.

[thumper 823]

I have been using a battery Tender 3.5 lb one for about 4 years now.
They now make them to link to your cell phone to tell you what is going on!
This one has been to Sturgis twice.
Yes, Under 50 deg with 10.5 CR, it is a bit scary slow.
But anything after 50deg  the reward is super great!
Who needs another 30 lbs of crap to haul around?

[Coyote]

Cracks me up that they say you need a special charger for the battery but the same old generator/voltage regulator in the bike charges it just fine.