Modern Vespa

I need more power to start my scooter, but the battery compartment is relatively small. It looks like my only option to get the required CCA in a small enough package is to buy a Motobatt LifePO4 battery. It's for a Piaggio Fly 50, bumped to 80 cc, with no accessories. No radio, heaters, etc. I simply need more starting power due to higher compression. I'm looking for opinions on lithium batteries for my application. Thanks.

Oh, Following just out of curiosity

I don't think a lithium battery will help much at all.

I would try this. Take the battery out of your scooter. Connect jumper cables to your car battery. (Car NOT RUNNING while you do this!) See if the scooter starts any easier. If there's little improvement, it's not a larger scooter battery that you need. As I said before, you may have to accept harder starting in cold weather.

The car battery is the same voltage as the scooter's but it should be capable of supplying more CCA for starting, same effect as putting a bigger battery in the scoot.

Edit: If a lithium battery works better than a conventional battery at cold temperatures, then Yes, a Li battery might help.

My Vespa LX 50 has the same 80cc kit, and the same starter. Only difference is the battery. Vepsa battery is 185 CCA, Smaller Piaggio battery is only 80 CCA. The Motobatt Lithium in the smaller size claims 165 CCA.

Sounds like you have the same little battery as is in my 2018 Liberty150i. ...
Small battery box prevents installing battery with more CCA --- so I'll be looking too for a solution.
O.S.

OK, maybe that will work. Did you say the Fly starts with the Vespa battery? (That would be about the same as my car battery experiment.)

Me, I wouldn't spend the big bucks for a Li battery unless I was sure it would help.

Good luck!

The Vespa battery will not fit into the battery box. But it's the same 50 cc engine, with the same 80cc kit, and the same starter. The 80 vs 185 CCA is a huge difference.

I found a Motobatt Lithium for $69 delivered that will bump it up to 165, which should be plenty. I'm really just looking for people who have experience with the lithium batteries, and their impressions. I know they are not recommended for freezing weather, or equipment with large electrical loads. I don't plan to ride in weather under 65 degrees, nor do I plan to add any electrical accessories to the scooter.

I have one of these: https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/products/battery+12v10ah+lion+ltx12+_ltx12-li

It is much lighter then the OEM battery, and significantly shorter. My higher compression motor starts easier now than it ever did when brand new with this battery, so I do think that the bike benefits from the higher cranking amps.

shorai lithium used daily for over 8 yrs in jersey, hot or cold.

210 cca never let me down.

I ended up ordering this one on Ebay. $69.99 delivered

Motobatt MPLTZ7S-HP QUADFLEX LifePO4 Pro Lithium

I'll post updates once it's installed. That's good to know. I've read that newer scooters with lots of electronics, which create a small amount of parasitic draw, will kill a lithium battery much quicker than a lead acid. Hence the recommendation for a battery tender, or unhook the battery for any storage periods longer than a couple days. The Fly will probably go weeks without starting, however, being a basic carbed 50cc scooter, I don't think it has any draw at all with the key off. So the long shelf life and high CCA lead me to believe this will be the perfect battery for my application.

You are the first person I have seen post a good reply to your experience with a lithium battery as a starting battery.
Lots post when first installed how great they are, but most die a short lived life. You are the first, so not a good record for the lithium batteries.

If you understand the lithium design, (Easy research in Google will help) you would understand why it is not a good battery to use as a starting battery.
Hint:
They are designed for a low slow draw, not a big hit of power usage.

put over 25,000 miles on that battery, 5 to 10 short trips per day.

temps from 32 degrees to 100.

maybe just luck, I have no idea, but don't have the energy for another 25k.

I purchased an EarthX Lithium Battery for my large v-twin bike 3 years ago, I increased the CCA with a battery that has the same dimensions as stock, no more hard starts when it's hot outside

https://earthxbatteries.com/


Too early in the game for me to give a 100% on Lithium Batteries yet but it solved the problem I had

I have about four years experience using lithium batteries in cars and scooters.

they indeed have incredible shelf life. years


the smallest sizes you can find have incredible starting power. a little 1.5 pound will start a high compression 2.4 liter engine as good as a 42lb lead acid.

they are getting cheaper and cheaper. 72 shipped at this time for MMG brand. I have used mmg shorai and bike master. there is a banshee brand on ebay for 60 shipped. havent tried that one but wouldnt hesitate to on any scooter including the 500

I live in florida so have no cold weather starts to report.

they can be killed when they get too low. they have very little reserve. and worst of all they will over charge and explode if left on regular chargers too long. best to just jump start bike and drive around till it starts crisp again. had one that had a weak cell but still charge to 17.5v but not start bike.

almost kill my mp3 by overcharging one. battery got very hot and swell balloon like. got lucky.

havent tried a lithium specific charger yet. they are likely a very good idea if they are monitoring and charging cells individually. regular charges dont.

I love them, will be using them here on out.

And why I will never own one till that part is resolved. And they make lithium batteries good for high draw surge which they are not designed for now. They are best in low draw applications, like phones.

you are the type that would be happier with a car battery on your scooter. using lithium is for those who are confident their scooter engine will start when they hit the starter button.

No, I ride till salt goes down on the road. Coldest I have ridden in 0°

thanks for the MMG brand tip. I've been using shorai's for ~6 years between 3 bikes/vehicles, and one of the bikes that I don't ride often (and has a battery draw problem) has managed to kill 2 of the shorais. the problem with the MMG is that warranty seems to be extremely short at only 6mo.

the current shorai I have on the BV350 is almost 2 years old and the cranking power is still really impressive (though it doesn't snow where I live) even after sitting for months.

the lithium ion specific RC charger I use is the imax b6, paired with a 4s BMS RC car plug for cell balancing, which is explained in detail here on thumper talk: https://thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/1065937-xr650l-shorai-battery-maintenance/