SSB Lithium Motorcycle Batteries – Suncoast Batteries & Solar

Suncoast Batteries & Solar is the exclusive SSB distributor on the Sunshine Coast. If you ride dirt bikes, road bikes, Harleys or adventure bikes, this guide explains how to choose, charge and care for your SSB lithium motorcycle battery for maximum performance and life.

Need help choosing the right SSB Lithium battery? Call our team for obligation-free advice and fast local delivery anywhere on the Sunshine Coast.

1. Introduction to SSB Lithium Motorcycle Batteries

SSB Lithium batteries are some of the lightest and highest-performing motorcycle batteries in Australia. At Suncoast Batteries & Solar, we stock the full SSB Lithium range for:

• Dirt & enduro bikes
• Road & sports bikes
• Harley-Davidsons & V-twins
• ATVs, side-by-sides and more

There are two main SSB Lithium ranges used in motorcycles:

2. LFP vs LH Series – Which One Should You Choose?

LFP Series – Lightweight / Entry Level

• Ultra-lightweight design
• Ideal for casual and general riding
• 1-year warranty

LH Series – High-Performance

• Higher CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) for harder starting bikes
• Excellent for racing, enduro and high-compression engines
• 2-year warranty
• Improved reliability and starter motor protection

Riders commonly report:

• Instant cold starts off the button
• Less strain on starter motors and Bendix
• Fewer brush and starter failures
• All-round better starting power and reliability

3. Using Chargers With SSB Lithium Batteries

Lithium charging is different to traditional lead-acid. The type of charger you use matters more than how often you use it.

Recommended Charger Type

• A simple 12V charger that is lithium compatible
• No “pulse”, “rejuvenation” or “desulfation” modes
• Charge current kept within the battery’s maximum rating

A good example is a quality lithium-capable multi-stage charger (such as Victron models with a dedicated LiFePO₄ mode). If your charger has advanced reconditioning modes, you must be able to disable them when charging lithium batteries.

4. Trickle Charging & Why It’s Not Needed

One of the most common questions we get is: “Can I leave my SSB lithium battery on a trickle charger?”

Short answer: No – and it’s not necessary.

Lithium batteries experience the most stress in the final 10% of their charge cycle. Holding them at 100% on a constant trickle charge:

• Creates unnecessary heat and stress
• Can slightly reduce long-term lifespan
• Provides no real benefit for motorcycles

You might still get good life, but instead of 4–5 years from a high-performance series, you might see around 3–4 years if it’s constantly trickle charged.

For most riders, the best approach is simple: install it, ride regularly, and let the bike charge the battery.

5. Common SSB Lithium Battery Issues

The most frequent call we receive at Suncoast Batteries goes like this:

“My SSB Lithium battery is reading 1–2 volts. I tried a smart charger and it won’t charge – is it dead?”

In about 95% of cases, the battery itself is not faulty.

Low-Voltage Cut-Off (BMS Protection)

SSB Lithium batteries have an internal BMS (Battery Management System) that protects the cells from over-discharge. When voltage drops to around 10V, the BMS cuts off to prevent damage.

The problem is that most smart chargers:

• Need at least 3–4V to detect the battery
• Won’t start charging if they think no battery is connected

So you end up with a “dead-looking” battery that’s actually just in protection mode and needs a gentle kick to wake back up.

6. What To Do If Your SSB Lithium Battery Isn’t Working

There are a few safe ways to recover a lithium battery that’s gone into low-voltage cut-off:

Option 1 – Use a Basic Manual Charger

Connect the battery to a simple, non-smart charger (no pulse or recondition modes). Within about 30–60 seconds you should see:

• Voltage rise from 1–2V up to around 11–12V

Once it’s above the detection threshold, you can switch over to a suitable lithium charger if needed.

Option 2 – Jump-Start the Bike

You can also jump-start the bike (or roll-start where possible) and allow the bike’s charging system to bring the battery back up.

Option 3 – Use a Lithium Jump Pack

A quality lithium jump pack is an excellent investment, especially if you ride or tour regularly. It can:

• Start your bike when the battery is low
• Help recover a lithium battery that’s dipped into protection mode
• Double as a backup for cars, 4x4s and diesels

Once the battery is reactivated and recharged correctly, it will usually continue to give years of reliable service.

When is the Battery Actually Faulty?

• If a cell fails internally, the battery may sit around 9–11V and never recover.
• If that failure came from overcharging, incorrect charger, or wrong fitment, the warranty will be void.
• If a cell fails under normal use within the warranty period, it is usually a warrantable replacement.

7. Overcharging, Regulators & Safety

If the bike’s regulator/rectifier fails and allows 15–20V to hit the battery, several things can happen:

• The casing can become very hot
• White, non-toxic gases may vent from the battery (looks like smoke)
• The battery and sometimes the cradle may melt

While this is dramatic to look at, it’s typically not a fire or explosion – it’s the safety system doing its job under extreme over-voltage.

8. Incorrect Fitment – Why It Damages Lithium Batteries

Another common issue is installing a battery that is too small or not matched to the bike’s charging system.

Examples of risky fitment decisions:

• Using a small lithium (e.g. 5L size) in a big V-twin Harley because “it fits”
• Ignoring the OEM part code and choosing by dimension only
• Not checking the stator output against the battery’s max charge specs

SSB designs their batteries to match:

• Correct physical size and original part number (e.g. YTX4L, YTX5L, YTX7-BS)
• Expected charging current from the stator/alternator

It’s okay in some dirt bikes to choose a slightly lighter equivalent (for example using a LH5L in place of a 7L in certain applications), but for big road bikes and Harleys you must match correctly.

If you’re working with custom builds or limited space, you may need a specialist auto-elec to:

• Check stator output
• Fit an additional regulator or DC-DC system
• Ensure the lithium battery is not being overworked

9. Final Advice from Suncoast Batteries & Solar

When installed and used correctly, SSB Lithium motorcycle batteries are market-leading performers – lightweight, powerful and extremely reliable.

At Suncoast Batteries & Solar we:

• Supply both LFP and LH SSB Lithium series
• Match the correct battery to your bike and riding style
• Provide local warranty support on the Sunshine Coast
• Help with troubleshooting charging, regulators and fitment
• Offer fast delivery and, in many cases, mobile installation

Suncoast Batteries & Solar – Exclusive SSB Batteries Distributor, Sunshine Coast QLD.