EarthX Lithium Battery 7 year review

[robsryder]

I have had the "no warning" battery failure occur a number of times. On my R100GS/PD the OEM battery lasted 10 years, started over and over, then in the middle of a trip - no start, showed 12 volts until a load was placed and then nothing. I've owned my 2018 R1200RTw since new and it still has the original battery; thus I am looking for a replacement. My Harley Electra Glide rarely gets more than 2 years from the battery (heat and vibration); several times the battery has failed while I was at a Harley dealership.

A feller that knew quite a bit about BMW bikes went by the name of Snowbum; he is recently deceased. He has published a lot of info about many BMW-related things. His article on batteries is dated 2024, so this must have been something that he was doing right up to the end. It is worth reading his comments -

BMW motorcycle batteries, chargers, initialization, flooded, lithium, LiFePO4, lead-acid, de-sulfating

New Battery, LiFePO4,lithium and AGM/VRLA batteries, BMW, motorcycle, motorcycles, filling, charging,load,test,load-test,anti-sulfating

bmwmotorcycletech.info

I did find an assortment of batteries available from Battery Mart. I have purchased from them previously - their prices are pretty good. An EarthX LiFePo4 battery suitable for the RT is available for $259 with free shipping in the CONUS (continental US).

https://www.batterymart.com/POWERSPORTS.html?vehicle=Motorcycle&make=BMW&model=R1200RT&year=2018&engine=1200cc&tag=&OEM=YTX16-BS

 

[kickstandsup]

Hmmmmm, the original battery in my '20 1250 RS lives on a battery tender when not in use and, using the old "seat of the pants" battery testing protocol doesn't show any signs of misbehaviour. This seems to be the norm for my MC batteries ever since I started just keeping them on my battery tenders (real thing not a cheaper knock off) But since I'm a firm believer in PM and being prepared it's time to consider a replacement. At 70 y/o even though it's a 1X purchase I'm at least a little loathe to purchase a $200 Opimate charger plus a nearly $300 shipped LiFePo battery. But more research may help me turn on corner?
BTW the "lives on another Battery Tender brand maintainer" MotoBat brand sealed lead acid battery in my rarely if ever run rare '87 VFR 400F is still up to snuff whenever needed after almost 9 years. As usual, YMMV

An Optimate lithium charger is $60. This is what I use. Works perfectly.

Amazon.com

 

[rhbike]

An Optimate lithium charger is $60. This is what I use. Works perfectly.

Amazon.com

View attachment 100181

Or, ~$100 for the Optimate 4 Quad Program that supports both Pb & LiFePo4 (LFP) direct to battery or via the CanBus.

 

[kickstandsup]

Since moving to the desert almost 19 years ago now, I've experienced more battery failures, car and bike, than ever before due to the heat. Simply put, heat kills lead acid/AGM batteries, usually in 3-4 years. I've had 2 die in 13 months. Nothing, car or bike, ever lasted more than 4 years.

What's worse is there is usually no warning. Works fine, park the vehicle, come out 30 minutes later...dead.

7 years ago this past December, I tried a "lithium experiment" with my Triumph Bonneville after the Yuasa AGM died in 13 months. After doing lots of research, I went with an EarthX. I liked their sophisticated battery management system and that their first market was airplanes. Seemed high quality and phone inquiries were responsive and knowledgeable.

Home

EarthX Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (LifePo4) are more powerful, last 2-3X longer and 80% lighter than lead acid batteries. Shop now!

earthxbatteries.com

I'm happy to report that now, 7 years and 1 month later, the battery in my Bonnie is still going strong. Zero problems, starts immediately every time. I've now installed an EarthX in 2 other bikes, an F800GT and a Ducati Monster 1200 Anniversario. The F800 is 2 years old, the Monster 1 year old. Zero issues.

I've got no financial interest in them, just reporting on my data set of 3.

Of course, YMMV, but I'm sold.

Now 8 years on my EarthX in the Bonnie...3 years in the F800GT...2 years in the Monster.

That is now double the longest any AGM battery (car or bike) has lasted me here in the desert.

I remain a very happy customer.

 

[pauls1150]

Slight tangent - my half-charged (as indicated by only 2 of the 4 LEDs lighting up) "Harley"-branded booster had No problem starting a neighbor's Honda Civic a couple of days ago.

 

[kickstandsup]

Now 8 years on my EarthX in the Bonnie...3 years in the F800GT...2 years in the Monster.

That is now double the longest any AGM battery (car or bike) has lasted me here in the desert.

I remain a very happy customer.

Well, I guess I jinxed it. I now know the lifetime of an EarthX Lithium Battery here in the desert: 8 years and 1 month.

And, interestingly, the "dying symptoms." For about the last month, it would take much longer to get to green on the Optimate than ever before, and much longer than the newer EarthX batteries in my other bikes. I'm going to take that as a hint for the future...

New EarthX dropped right in, Bonnie started right up. Good for another 8 years!

 

[omega man]

Well, I guess I jinxed it. I now know the lifetime of an EarthX Lithium Battery here in the desert: 8 years and 1 month.

And, interestingly, the "dying symptoms." For about the last month, it would take much longer to get to green on the Optimate than ever before, and much longer than the newer EarthX batteries in my other bikes. I'm going to take that as a hint for the future...

New EarthX dropped right in, Bonnie started right up. Good for another 8 years!

Noticing a change in “charge rates” of “charge completion times” is really an indicator of a change in the battery condition. Nice work on picking up on the change.
OM

 

[kickstandsup]

Noticing a change in “charge rates” of “charge completion times” is really an indicator of a change in the battery condition. Nice work on picking up on the change.
OM

Lol, I don't like walking...

 

[Wkoppa]

Seen this company the other day.

https://no.co/lithium/powersport

Seems to be an old company from Cleveland. Manufacturing is overseas. Prices are probably pre-tariffmania.

Available in BMW old school color.

Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI
#71,449

 

[motorhead1977]

Interesting but how does one determine which of their batteries is the correct one for their particular BMW ?

 

[Wkoppa]

Interesting but how does one determine which of their batteries is the correct one for their particular BMW ?

If you click on the specs for a specific battery (ie: the NLP 14) it shows the equivalent batteries. It shows the NLP 14 as the replacement for the YTZ14S or YTX14BS that fits a 2023 1250 RT. 500 peak AMPs. $129.00. Comes in BMW black.

Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI
#71,449