4 vs 8 Cell Battery?

Tough Noogies · May 6th, 2014, 02:56 PM

Curious about who is using what...

I was all lined up to buy a 4 cell lithium battery for my little 250 race (no street time ever) bike. I had a pretty knowledgeable guy that has worked with multiple race teams mention that it would likely not keep a charge (or need recharging?) after 3-4 months, tops. He said that multi-cylinder bikes are just too much for the tiny batteries to start reliably for a long time and that he wouldn't honor the warranty as a retailer (I'd have to go straight to the OEM, like Ballistic, or whatever).

Are many of you running 4 cells on your race / track bikes? Any issues? Or are the majority of you on 8 cells?

Ps - The guy did say most offroad bikes and scooters are not an issue. Looking at the manufacturer pages, they often say things like "up to 500cc multi-cylinder bikes", though?

alex.s · May 6th, 2014, 03:13 PM

the little 4 cell li-ion i was using was not enough juice to start the engine with the starter button. i wound up removing the starter, blocking off the hole and push starting the bike.

tuscani451 · May 6th, 2014, 04:18 PM

Just put a 4-cell in the race bike this weekend and started right up but no idea about long term use. It was a Speed Cell brand, the Co. owner was the one who installed it so he should know, did state to disconnect between weekends

Zombiphone · May 7th, 2014, 07:43 AM

I've used the same 4 cell li-on battery for over 2 1/2 years now of frequent trackdays and racing (this one: http://www.ballisticparts.com/produc...ries/4cell.php)

I've had zero issues the entire time. Either I have a magic battery, or your salesman is talking out of his ass

For what it's worth, I don't know anyone who's running an 8 cell in a baby ninja

Tough Noogies · May 7th, 2014, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

the little 4 cell li-ion i was using was not enough juice to start the engine with the starter button. i wound up removing the starter, blocking off the hole and push starting the bike.

What brand of battery, Alex? It looks like these other two guys did not have the same issues?

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Keep it coming - it's appreciated!

alex.s · May 7th, 2014, 09:18 AM

i forget. i think its the same one as tiffanis.

Racer x · May 7th, 2014, 10:13 AM

I had a ballistic battery. I threw it in the trash.

r6boater · May 7th, 2014, 08:10 PM

Draik has been using a Ballistic Battery (4-cell Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) this race season and hasn't had a single problem with it.

Konaunit1 · May 8th, 2014, 03:19 PM

I have been using an alien motion 4 cell battery in my ninja and my R6 for 3 4 years (in the R6) I love it. I haven't even had to charge them. Starts the bike every time!

Tough Noogies · May 9th, 2014, 10:34 AM

Still so funny how disparate the read is... some people even in this thread say "no way" and others are, "years of use!"

I'm going to go for it and buy a 4 cell. Warranty should be covered because manufacturers often claim up to 500 or 550 cc multi-cylinder bikes should work.

Based on the above and tons of other online reviews, I'm thinking that numerous "shady" things happen to the people that have bad experiences. Their bikes are set up differently, retailers sell old product and/or batteries that were not stored properly, or even poor quality control from the battery makers.

We'll see how it goes!

RacerX113 · May 11th, 2014, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r6boater

Draik has been using a Ballistic Battery (4-cell Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) this race season and hasn't had a single problem with it.

Hey Kurt
I thought that non OEM type batteries were not allowed with WERA. I'm in need of a new battery and was thinking about getting a 4 cell, but was not sure on WERA's rules.

r6boater · May 12th, 2014, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX113

Hey Kurt
I thought that non OEM type batteries were not allowed with WERA. I'm in need of a new battery and was thinking about getting a 4 cell, but was not sure on WERA's rules.

They are allowed now...

WERA rulebook 9.4.ii ...Aftermarket batteries of any size are allowed...

Saved a bunch of weight too.

RacerX113 · May 12th, 2014, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r6boater

They are allowed now...

WERA rulebook 9.4.ii ...Aftermarket batteries of any size are allowed...

Saved a bunch of weight too.

Good deal. Glad to hear that. Does the 4 cell Ballistic work well for the cold morning starts?

I need all the help I can get in the weight department.

r6boater · May 12th, 2014, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX113

Good deal. Glad to hear that. Does the 4 cell Ballistic work well for the cold morning starts?

I need all the help I can get in the weight department.

It hasn't given any problems whatsoever. Even when Draik changed his jets, he forgot to turn the petcock to "pri" so it had to crank forever and the battery kept up. Last night we started the bike after it has been sitting since NOLA (over a month ago) and it had only been started after the jet change since then, fired right up, battery was just as strong as day one.

As far as "cold" mornings, the only ones we've dealt with were Tally and it did just fine.

RacerX113 · May 13th, 2014, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r6boater

It hasn't given any problems whatsoever. Even when Draik changed his jets, he forgot to turn the petcock to "pri" so it had to crank forever and the battery kept up. Last night we started the bike after it has been sitting since NOLA (over a month ago) and it had only been started after the jet change since then, fired right up, battery was just as strong as day one.

As far as "cold" mornings, the only ones we've dealt with were Tally and it did just fine.

Thanks for the info. Going to order one tomorrow.

r6boater · May 13th, 2014, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX113

Thanks for the info. Going to order one tomorrow.

Cool cool, when you call, let them know TheDraik77 sent you

r6boater · May 13th, 2014, 06:38 PM

You coming to RRR and/or Road A?

RacerX113 · May 13th, 2014, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r6boater

You coming to RRR and/or Road A?

I'm undecided yet about RRR but I'll be at Road Atlanta. It's a pain that they're so close together.

r6boater · May 14th, 2014, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacerX113

I'm undecided yet about RRR but I'll be at Road Atlanta. It's a pain that they're so close together.

Better than last season... 4 race weekends in 5 weeks time... that hurt Draik's race fund. Bit it was worth every penny.

May 6th, 2014, 02:56 PM	#1
Tough Noogies ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: DFW, TX Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): 675, 250 Posts: 20	4 vs 8 Cell Battery? Curious about who is using what... I was all lined up to buy a 4 cell lithium battery for my little 250 race (no street time ever) bike. I had a pretty knowledgeable guy that has worked with multiple race teams mention that it would likely not keep a charge (or need recharging?) after 3-4 months, tops. He said that multi-cylinder bikes are just too much for the tiny batteries to start reliably for a long time and that he wouldn't honor the warranty as a retailer (I'd have to go straight to the OEM, like Ballistic, or whatever). Are many of you running 4 cells on your race / track bikes? Any issues? Or are the majority of you on 8 cells? Ps - The guy did say most offroad bikes and scooters are not an issue. Looking at the manufacturer pages, they often say things like "up to 500cc multi-cylinder bikes", though?

May 6th, 2014, 03:13 PM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	the little 4 cell li-ion i was using was not enough juice to start the engine with the starter button. i wound up removing the starter, blocking off the hole and push starting the bike. __________________________________________________

May 7th, 2014, 09:18 AM	#6
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i forget. i think its the same one as tiffanis. __________________________________________________

May 7th, 2014, 10:13 AM	#7
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	I had a ballistic battery. I threw it in the trash. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 7th, 2014, 08:10 PM	#8
r6boater ninjette.org member Name: Kurt Location: Knoxville Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '04 R1 and '08 Ninja 250 Posts: 222	Draik has been using a Ballistic Battery (4-cell Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) this race season and hasn't had a single problem with it. __________________________________________________ Check out this Ninja 250 roadracing youth---> TheDraik77 <--- My son

May 6th, 2014, 04:18 PM	#3
tuscani451 ninjette.org member Name: leif Location: Gilbert, AZ Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): R6, Kawi 250 Posts: 86	Just put a 4-cell in the race bike this weekend and started right up but no idea about long term use. It was a Speed Cell brand, the Co. owner was the one who installed it so he should know, did state to disconnect between weekends

May 7th, 2014, 07:43 AM	#4
Zombiphone CVMA/AFM #72 Name: Tiffani Location: Los Angeles, Ca Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Racebike), 2015 FZ-07(Tourer), 2001 KX65(LOL bike) Posts: A lot.	I've used the same 4 cell li-on battery for over 2 1/2 years now of frequent trackdays and racing (this one: http://www.ballisticparts.com/produc...ries/4cell.php) I've had zero issues the entire time. Either I have a magic battery, or your salesman is talking out of his ass For what it's worth, I don't know anyone who's running an 8 cell in a baby ninja

May 8th, 2014, 03:19 PM	#9
Konaunit1 ninjette.org member Name: Richie Location: Oak harbor, WA Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 FZ1. 08 DR650, 10 ninjette 250, 03 R6 (race bike) Posts: 25	I have been using an alien motion 4 cell battery in my ninja and my R6 for 3 4 years (in the R6) I love it. I haven't even had to charge them. Starts the bike every time!

May 9th, 2014, 10:34 AM	#10
Tough Noogies ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: DFW, TX Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): 675, 250 Posts: 20	Still so funny how disparate the read is... some people even in this thread say "no way" and others are, "years of use!" I'm going to go for it and buy a 4 cell. Warranty should be covered because manufacturers often claim up to 500 or 550 cc multi-cylinder bikes should work. Based on the above and tons of other online reviews, I'm thinking that numerous "shady" things happen to the people that have bad experiences. Their bikes are set up differently, retailers sell old product and/or batteries that were not stored properly, or even poor quality control from the battery makers. We'll see how it goes!

May 13th, 2014, 06:38 PM	#17
r6boater ninjette.org member Name: Kurt Location: Knoxville Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '04 R1 and '08 Ninja 250 Posts: 222	You coming to RRR and/or Road A? __________________________________________________ Check out this Ninja 250 roadracing youth---> TheDraik77 <--- My son

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