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transcontinental took home a new 2024

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I've only put 12,000 miles on my '22, as we have a relatively short riding season. However, about 6,000 of that has been LD riding with 300-500 mile days. The TC handles it well. I'm 67 and this scooter fits me well.
 
If you don’t utilise the Topbox remove it and bikes definitely feels less top heavy - approx 19kg. Just buy a B6 led stop light from Aliexpress and easy to wire in. Stops codes being thrown. I’m also thinking about removing pannier speakers and those in the pods under front fairing for less weight. Have removed rear passenger pegs. When oem battery dies, will replace with a LiFePO4 battery like on my FE Pure ( saves 8kg ).
 
kate_brett said:
If you don’t utilise the Topbox remove it and bikes definitely feels less top heavy - approx 19kg. Just buy a B6 led stop light from Aliexpress and easy to wire in. Stops codes being thrown. I’m also thinking about removing pannier speakers and those in the pods under front fairing for less weight. Have removed rear passenger pegs. When oem battery dies, will replace with a LiFePO4 battery like on my FE Pure ( saves 8kg ).
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Does BMW and or the R18 platform offer a Li battery as a replacement to the OEM AGM battery?

While up at AMERICADE two weeks ago; my buddy's HD Stereo and other electrical systems were acting up, the volt meter was showing 14V DC and would then drop to something less than 10 V.

I gave him a hand with checking battery terminal connections and such; that's when I learned, that he recently upgraded to a Li type battery..

I think the Li BMS was disconnecting from the stator in order to protect itself from being overcharged, damaged, etc..

Long story short.. he bought a new AGM battery from a local HD shop, and swapped it in the parking lot; all issues cleared up for the entire weekend and the entire ride back to NJ.

I've been thinking of upgrading to Li; but wasn't sure if it was supported on the R18 platform?
 
I've never had a a lithium battery I see the fires from bicycles indoors ,I use (if your in the USA) Napa moto batteries made in penna or New Jersey I've had them last 7 years hooked up to a noco genius.worked when replaced but why push it.yes this bike has a marshal 2 system I'm almost deaf from military I have never liked music when I ride.i like smelling fresh cut grass watching the scenery.if this bike was marshalis I would be able to put more than two boxes of Kleenex in each side case.
be safe
squirrel
 
bmwsquirl said:
I've never had a a lithium battery I see the fires from bicycles indoors ,I use (if your in the USA) Napa moto batteries made in penna or New Jersey I've had them last 7 years hooked up to a noco genius.worked when replaced but why push it.yes this bike has a marshal 2 system I'm almost deaf from military I have never liked music when I ride.i like smelling fresh cut grass watching the scenery.if this bike was marshalis I would be able to put more than two boxes of Kleenex in each side case.
be safe
squirrel
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Motorcycle lithium batteries are Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries ((LiFePO4) - these do not have the runaway temperature and fire danger of lithium ion batteries. Lithium battery will last much longer that AGM or regular lead acid batteries. There are a few things to be looked at however regarding Lithium motorcycle batteries. A lithium motorcycle battery will hold a charge for a very long time(1 year+) with one exception. Lithium motorcycle batteries do not work well if you have parasitic drain from accessories etc. Once the parasitic drain has depleted the battery enough the BMS (batttery management system) will shut off the battery to prevent damage to it. The battery will appear dead and won't take a charge in this condition. The battery will need to have a quick jump to wake up the BMS and then it will take a charge again. Another thing that the lithium motorcycles don't like is a charging system that produces too much voltage. Many older bikes have alternators that don't regulate very well and once the charging voltage gets above about 14.2 volts the BMS will again step in and protect the battery. This can mean all of a sudden the power shuts off and the battery appears dead. It will remain in this condition as long as the higher voltage input is present. Disconnecting the battery may be needed to restore its operation(I'm not completely sure of this). BMW has stated that they do not recommend lithium batteries on the R18 due to excessive parasitic drain caused from the alarm system and keyless operation of the ignition. If you ride regularly it probably won't be an issue or if you use a lithium battery charger every couple of weeks your battery should be fine. There are quite a few R18 owners that are using the NOCO NLP30 Lithium batteries with good success. I've heard of a few Harley's that don't like these batteries and others that have good success with them. I think it has everything to do with how well the charging system regulates voltage.
 
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LiFePO4 battery nearly 2 years old. Used Optimate charger on first day to charge the battery. Optimate charger has never been used since . image.jpg
 
bmwsquirl said:
I've never had a a lithium battery I see the fires from bicycles indoors ,I use (if your in the USA) Napa moto batteries made in penna or New Jersey I've had them last 7 years hooked up to a noco genius.worked when replaced but why push it.yes this bike has a marshal 2 system I'm almost deaf from military I have never liked music when I ride.i like smelling fresh cut grass watching the scenery.if this bike was marshalis I would be able to put more than two boxes of Kleenex in each side case.
be safe
squirrel
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Decent brand electric scooters ( Segway and Kaabo - Chinese, Apollo - brands ) use better batteries with quality cells from decent manufacturers ( LG, Samsung , Panasonic ). They also utilise battery management systems ( BMS ) that work to prevent issues. Cheap Chinese electric scooters use CHEAP batteries ( cells / boards ). More voltage sag , increased heat production, greater deterioration of battery / functional state . All leads to greater risk of explosion and fire.
Not all Chinese products are rubbish. If you buy cheap shit ( electrical knockoffs etc . ) , don’t expect it to last .
Not all motorcycle Lithium batteries are the same. You get what you pay for.
 
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On the parts desk at the local HD dealership sat a standard battery and the tiny lithium-something battery. The weight difference was astonishing. When I asked about the reliability of the light weight model, they said it didn't do as well in cold temperatures. I've a notion to make the switch for the summer and fall.

The sudden difference in battery weight is like the sudden difference I noticed when I took the top box off of of my 2022 TC. At highway speed the top box wasn't noticeable. Getting it off the side stand was very noticeable.
 
BER18 100 said:
On the parts desk at the local HD dealership sat a standard battery and the tiny lithium-something battery. The weight difference was astonishing. When I asked about the reliability of the light weight model, they said it didn't do as well in cold temperatures. I've a notion to make the switch for the summer and fall.

The sudden difference in battery weight is like the sudden difference I noticed when I took the top box off of of my 2022 TC. At highway speed the top box wasn't noticeable. Getting it off the side stand was very noticeable.
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Byron is hanging around the HD dealership...

Pining for that next ride... below is my itch..

I'm going to stick with an AGM battery; my OEM battery has been great, 4 yrs later..

Screenshot_20260606-110641.png
 
I’m told the RoadGlide is HD’s top seller this year. Close to $30k.
It has the best wind management in HD’s lineup. But it’s not as good as the R18TC. I had a RoadGlide in 2018. Okay bike but the dash is a long reach away
 
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