Bottom Line Up Front: Edit: Batteries can fail like other batteries but Ballistic Customer Service is great and change the Title of this this to Ballistic Battery - Great Customer Service!
Update: I've spoken with Chip and he did take good care of me. Chip was really cool about the situation and explained about some possible causes of the failure. He stated that if I've saved the battery he could have given me an exact caused the failure. One of the possibilities could have been caused by jumping the battery to get it started. New battery is on it's way. Chip did go out of his way to offer me an Advanced Charger but I did not feel that I should get it on their dime. I do plan on purchasing it on my dime the future.
What happened:
I bought a Ballistic battery 15 months ago. At first it worked well then it died on the winter with the balance charger on storages mode. It did not drop below the low voltage but it didn't have the current to start the bike.
I've tried Balance charging and it did balance except for 1 cell which was off by .06V from the others. The bike would crank over on the third try.
Today while leaving the hotel for MotoGP, the battery was dead. I had to jumpstart it. I managed to get about 5 miles before the bike turned off. I removed the seat and inspected the battery and it was very hot! The charge port cover was starting to melt and a chemical odor was present. I disconnected the battery and it had melt marks on it coming from the charge port.
Since I was on a trip, I had to buy a new battery (not ballistic). Total time wasted on the faulty battery 2hours plus ~$200 for a new battery. The warranty is not going to do me any good since I've had to chuck the battery away. Not riding with that in my ruck if it's likely to explode or leak more.
Yeah, since I bought my Ballistic battery about 28 months ago and have never had a single problem. I even left it in my bike over a typical (-40c) Manitoba winter once and it still worked great in the spring.
Remember, just because one person has problems doesn't make a product junk. Sorry you had bad luck with yours...
Also, the warranty not being any good because you threw the battery away is YOUR fault, not theirs.. I get it, the logistics of being on a trip didn't facilitate carrying a dead battery back home on your bike, but it's still not their fault you threw the battery away instead of getting it replaced.
I recently put an antigravity battery in my bike. It's night and day difference. The bike starts so strong now. I liked it so much I purchased their micro start and it had enough juice to jump start a V8 without any hesitation.
Thank goodness for Google Alerts! Now we can actively track down our customers that have issues!
Reaper67 - If you contacted us, we would have been more than willing to help you out. It looks like you have an 8 Cell EVO2 in your 2011 R1. We recommend the 12 Cell EVO2 in the 2009 - Present R1's. This maybe why your battery had an issue quicker than anticipated.
Please shoot me an email personally and I will get you a replacement battery.
Batteries are wear items. They wear out just like tires and clutches. Our EVO2batteries are lighter, more efficient, and last longer than conventional batteries.....but they will wear out just like any other battery. Depending on how they are used, some last longer than others. Just like clutches and tires. Unlike our competitors in the Lithium starter battery market, our batteries are built right here in the US and we back them up with a 3 year pro-rated warranty.
As for the pictures....well, lithium batteries can displace a lot of energy in a very short period of time. They are not at all tolerant to being shorted out, over discharged or overcharged. If they are overcharged or shorted out, they can produce enough heat to melt the plastic case. The good news is....Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LiFePO4) is not flammable. If you attempt to jumpstart your lithium battery with a vehicle then it is very possible to overcharge it in a hurry.
If you guys ever have any questions about our product, lithium batteries, or batteries in general, please don't hesitate to ask.
I also have the EVO2 12 cell battery in my bike. With multiple extra electronic devices and such and have never had an issue. I love mine, especially with the huge weight savings. Sounds like Chip is really gonna work with you on this. Good luck and hope everything works out.
Thank you Chip for taking the time to try and resolve the issue.
Amazing to see Ballistic's quick response with care, hope reaper67 will get this solved thoroughly
BTW, which type of battery should I use for my R1 2k8 ? 12 cell or less ?
I bought a 4-cell Ballistic Battery for my track/race R6 back in Oct. 2011, I used it without issue that month and put my bike away for the winter season. I did not charge it at all and in the spring it would not hold a charge. I emailed Ballistic and site unseen they immediately sent me a new battery. They did not ask for a proof of purchase or anything else. Once I received the new replacement I sent back my defective unit and Ballistic even followed up with me to ensure the battery was working well. To date, 3 track/race seasons I have yet to have any issue with the battery. I don't charge it and yet, it cranks right up every time. The customer service was extraordinary, it is extremely light weight, reliable and American made what else can you ask for?
As i was the first to offer my support and I am to lazy to find my instructions + search google give us a link or quick idiots guide to maintenance. I took mine off during the winter and put it nice and cosy by the radiator in the back bedroom. I knew there was no chance of it being use + thought there could be chance of it draining. I woke up one day, the sun had come out so I threw the battery back on the bike and went for a ride. is this the best way to treat the battery or should I have done something differently? it works perfectly and I want it to continue doing so?
2.) Our EVO Advanced Charger comes with a trickle charger lead and works as a maintainer. This for customers who don't want to remove the battery or may have a bike with a parasitic draw.
I literally take my battery out (or not, one winter I left it in the bike with temps in the -40c range) and put it on a shelf in the basement. In the spring, I put it in and away I go.
It is absolutely maintenance free, you need do nothing, AFAIK.
I bought an 8 cell a few years back and within a week it was dead. Ballistic quickly sent me a new one and said it looked like the old one was charged wrong, which I had never put the battery on a charge because it was brand new. Got the new one installed and a few weeks later it just didn't have the amps to start the bike anymore. Pulled it out and bought a regular battery from oreillys.
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