uigiroux wrote on 03/11/14 at 23:18:45:


Not sure why you want a quick disconnect?  The Savage does not draw any current when the key is off, and the EarthX people don't recommend using any kind of battery tender as the battery does not lose power when not being used.  If you do install a quick disconnect....it has to be a big one.....big enough to flow the current to run the starter.

You can wire in a battery tender/chargng lead easily, and it does not have to be larger wires as you will not use if for jumping....only charging at a rate of 1-2 amps.

The only downside of Li-Ion batteries  (if you ignore the cost).....is that they will be ruined if you ever let them go completely flat or overcharge them.  They have no sense of humor when it comes to those two conditions.

you can always get rid of the battery box and leave the battery   easier that way. Glad to see another Savage rider down here in H-town.

If you have a few tools to do this yourself, it really is not that hard.  I don't worry too much about weather protection, and I have ridden in plenty of rain with this.  I used the Batteries+ store brand alternative to the Yuasa YTZ7S, and I made my own bracket out of strap steel and some carriage bolts.  To remove my battery, all I have to do is cut a zip tie and unscrew the terminals.  I used rubber from an old bicycle inner tube to isolate it from vibration.

When this bracket is made, you will find that you HAVE to test fit it on your bike.  The space there is VERY limited - only about .5 -.75 inches of total wiggle room front to back.  Also, you may have to rearrange/reroute a few cables.  I was able to complete this mod without having to make any changes or splicing to my wires.  This was facilitated by removing the airbox but keeping the side covers.

When I have to replace this battery, I'll probably get an EarthX.  The Yuasa will get the job done, but don't leave the lights on while you're still talking or saying goodbye.  You'll wind up learning how to push-start your Savage!  

What I stand to gain is purely an aesthetics issue.   I want it clear in that area.   In terms of putting my battery in harms ways essentially as you 'ranted',  that's the whole point of a battery box with cushioning inside.   Yes I'll have to do some rewiring,  but that's not too difficult for me.   And I got a draft made up from a metal shop today for $30 with a removable rear cover,  rather than the top,  so access will actually be much easier in my opinion,  and If I set it up with a quick disconnect,  well then all the easier.

It was pointed out to me earlier about the Earth X ETX12L battery and how it has a built in cell balancer, (so no special expensive charger required), or as they call it (BMS).   Upon further digging I've come to find that the Shorai LFX14L2-BS,  and the Scorpion SST12B-SP also have this feature, and one thing I like about the Scorpion battery is it has a button you can push on it to run a self diagnostic check on it,  though they are weird about not listing amperage,  but they compare the battery I listed above as being the equivalent as the Shorai or the Earth X.   The Scorpion is the cheapest at $113, and although the Shorai is listed about $160 I've found online retailers where I could get for about $120, and the Earth X is pretty much going to be $169.   As much as I would like the Earth X it's the largest and I'm concerned it will leave me with very minimal room for cushioning.   I like the Scorpion,  but I've heard very little about them and am slightly reluctant.   Shorai seems to be the one I'm most leaning towards.

Does anyone have experience Scorpion batteries and or any thoughts on my thinking the Shorai LFX14L2-BS is the battery to go with.   Also,  would it matter if I go with the L2 or the A2 version?   Or I guess I'm just asking does polarity matter in this instance / application?

Serowbot wrote on 03/13/14 at 01:05:26:


I'm rather confused with your comment and comparisons you made.   It almost comes across as if your questioning why do anything at all to the bike,  I mean after all,  that's the way Suzuki built it so they should know best,  right?   I'm not trying to be rude or anything but this website is the main source for making modifications to the Savage on the Internet.   I'm almost certain I've seen many posts you've made talking about mods you've done yourself.   And in terms of safety of the parts,  well I think this pales in comparison to the many threads there are about adding power to the bike by big boring it out and adding a larger piston,  high performance camshafts,  etc...   Those things increase the compression a great deal and could blow the whole motor.   I'm just relocation my battery,  which also from this forum I've seen countless others do.   Granted they usually put in beneath the seat in the space left from doing a Ryca conversion or something to that effect where they mount some sheet metal to create their own compartment.   Anyways I'm ranting now,  but I've taken all the dimensions into account,  and even bought a muffler bracket off eBay so I can take it to the fabricator and he can build it perfectly to size so I won't have to worry about the rear swing arm hitting it or the frame above,  so given all this and the fact I'm going to be insulating it like crazy and waterproofing it,  I don't see the problem...