Suzuki GR650 - back to work...

Re: Suzuki GR650- change is in the airBOX.......

Thanks Tyler! I know I needed one for a little while now, and in a drunken stupor ordered it at 4 am.......I hope I got the right one!

I saw a thread on ADVrider about their cold weather performance and was slightly concerned. Seems if you give the battery a couple minutes to warm up before hitting the starter, it makes it a lot easier though. We'll find out soon enough.......
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- change is in the airBOX.......

lots of good stuff going on here Rich. I really need to make time to catch up. I can't wait to see more progress. Please keep the post coming
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- change is in the airBOX.......

Thanks Troy. Good thing is, you won't need to catch up on this here - I'm sure you'll see the bike at least once in person next season. Mods vs Rockers, Barbers, etc.

After doing a little more thought & research, I may be altering my air box design again. I wanted to go with the polished aluminum sides, but I think I wouldn't be happy with just hiding some melted plastic. There will certainly be an air box, but hopefully something with more visual appeal.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- change is in the airBOX.......

I have had pretty good luck with my Shorai at cold temps (20* or so). As hard as it is to get used to cycling stuff and leaving the headlight on first, it does work, and the battery gets it going. I have the 14 AH one still as well, and while it is occasionally a hassle, I am pretty happy with it. I have also found that a 2 amp charge from a small trickle charger will light it up quick, too, if it runs down. Quick, as in, as soon as you have it hooked up you can start it, quick. Granted mine is in the VTR, which is not a daily driver--but also where I wanted the weight savings. For more commuter type work that is not weight sensitive, I think I would stay with a more conventional type battery. I think you'll really like it for this build, as long as you keep in mind what it is.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- change is in the airBOX.......

I also got the 14ah battery - the stock battery is a 12ah but I figured bumping it up won't hurt anything. The only time I'm concerned with any cold weather starts is when I get off work in the morning. I can leave the headlight on while I put my gear on, and if I do run into an issue I have my coworkers around too.

And I checked the tracking number - should be here tomorrow!
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- change is in the airBOX.......


Awesome!

And if it doesn't work, personally, I think I a guy bump starting his bike is one of the manlier traits...
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

So for those of you that missed it, I got a Shorai battery the other day. It's really mind boggling how much smaller it is that stock:
photobucket-967-1326479718843.jpg


I made this battery tray last year (don't think I posted pics of it before) so I modified it to accept all the electronic gizmos:
photobucket-6295-1326702664414.jpg


Everything just resting in location:
photobucket-6003-1326702663907.jpg


Fabbed up a new battery tie down from aluminum:
photobucket-683-1326702663405.jpg


Tie down over the battery with the ignitor resting on top:
photobucket-6146-1326702664901.jpg


I have a fresh coat of paint drying on the tie down now, then I'll be sticking the protective foam for the battery to it. Then the fun part: extending ALL the wiring to reach back there. Yay.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

Will be interested to see how you get on with that battery, I've been looking at the Ballistic 8 and 12 cell battery's for mine.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

CrescentSon said:
Is that from an RC car? Nice looking tray for sure.
Click to expand...

It's still in the works for sure. Not a thing of beauty, but not commonly looked at either......There was a question on another forum about similar batteries. Funny thing was, the OP said his "friend" was curious about them, not himself. When I mentioned the Shorai (lithium iron) somebody else pointed out that lithium ion batteries catch fire. I said there was a difference between lithium iron and lithium ion - to which somebody responded "Like what, an R?". Yep......ignorance at it's finest.

I'll definitely be keeping everybody in the loop with this battery. I thought about hooking it up to another bike to see how it handles the starter, but with snow on the ground what fun is that?
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

I intend using a Shorai in my build so I will be looking forward to hearing of your experiences! (love the iron/ion joke!)

Crazy
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

The 920 needs a 16amp hour but since these are so light and compact I think I'll just get two of the small ones and wire them in parallel....
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

Nicely done Rich! I've only heard good things about the Shorai batteries myself... just can't justify the $200 price tag :o
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

peteGS said:
Nicely done Rich! I've only heard good things about the Shorai batteries myself... just can't justify the $200 price tag :o
Click to expand...

I thought they were around $100US shipped?After I see some long term reports,I may pack it in and buy one.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

Thanks fellas!

The Shorai's start to increase in price fairly quickly depending on the amp hour & CCA capacity. Mine was about $165 to my door (14 ah, 210cca) but the next size up (18 ah) would have been about $195. For a smaller bike running kick start only and minimal electronics, the battery would be much cheaper.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

Big Rich said:
Thanks fellas!

The Shorai's start to increase in price fairly quickly depending on the amp hour & CCA capacity. Mine was about $165 to my door (14 ah, 210cca) but the next size up (18 ah) would have been about $195. For a smaller bike running kick start only and minimal electronics, the battery would be much cheaper.
Click to expand...

My Scorpion AGM is only 9ah and lighter than a flooded lead acid battery but not by much.Same size tho.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

Hey Rich, I like how you have installed your new battery, great install.

I agree with all the others that have commented that the GR650 stock battery is undersized. I picked up a 20.5ah motobatt for kwazykid's GR650 and will probably get one for mine too. Impact battery has several depending on the shape format you want. The original is only a 14ah battery so the bump up to 20.5ah gives it all it needs and then some and as kwazykid shows in his thread, they can be mounted on their side.

http://www.impactbattery.com/brands/motobatt/

http://www.impactbattery.com/brands/motobatt/motobatt-mb16au-sealed-yuasa-yb16al-a2-upgrade.html

Their prices are pretty good for a 2 yr warranty AGM.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.

It's 14ah? I'll be damned....... where did I come up with 12?

Either way, I feel pretty confident with the Shorai battery for now. My electrical system is in good working order, starter motor was rebuilt last year, and all my lighting has been changed around to led/ lower wattage. Thanks though Cloud! I will keep those in mind for the other GR's in the garage.
 
Re: Suzuki GR650- sorting out the wiring.


Keep in mind with the Shorai, that if at first you don't succeed, keep trying. In the recent cool weather we have had, the VTR won't start at first crack. The more I try cranking, and leave on the lights, fan, etc, the better it gets, rather than worse. I can start it in about 45 seconds if I abuse it at first, shut it off for about 10 seconds, and then it lights right off. You just have to understand the technology, and be willing to accept that for the benefit of a featherweight battery!

(If I didn't say it before, I have a 14ah in the 996cc VTR. If it is above 60* it starts easily every time).
 
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