battery. There was no need to cut and
install padding to support the battery or
improvise battery cable routing. Even
though the Antigravity battery was as
large as the stock part, it was over a
pound lighter. Antigravity’s compact-case batteries create space that can
be useful for EFI tuners on some
machines, but the carbureted Honda
450 doesn’t need one.
WHAT IT IS:
Antigravity’s lithium-ion powersports
batteries include all the benefits lithium-battery technology offers compared to
conventional lead-acid batteries, like
huge weight savings, much greater
cranking power and better resistance to
discharging, plus the option to choose
a direct-replacement size or compact
case. Antigravity’s direct-replacement
batteries match the case size and
terminal location of your machine’s
stock battery to make installation as
easy as possible. Other lithium batteries
are smaller than stock batteries, which
means you have to pad the battery
compartment to properly support the
battery and improvise battery cable
routing to reach the battery terminals.
Like other lithium batteries, Antigravity
batteries are roughly twice as expensive
as top-quality lead-acid batteries,
but the promise of twice the life with
superior cranking power is worth the
extra expense. We got Antigravity
direct-replacement model for our
Honda TRX450R for $180. The stock
battery for the Honda is $88.
INSTALLATION:
The Antigravity battery for the
Honda 450R matched the battery
compartment size and terminal
locations perfectly, just like the stock
PERFORMANCE:
Honda TRX450Rs are often less than
eager to start, even with good stock
batteries, especially in cold weather
or if the engine gets flooded with fuel.
After 10 consecutive starts with a cold
engine, the stock battery can barely
crank the 450 fast enough to start,
even in warm weather. The Antigravity
battery is shipped charged and ready
to use, so we were pumped to hear the
Honda’s starter spin more quickly than
normal and start more easily than we
were used to. The Antigravity battery
provided excellent cranking speed
for 10 consecutive starts in the same
conditions and was ready for more.
On machines like the 450R without
clocks or other parasitic drains, the
Antigravity battery doesn’t discharge
like conventional batteries. If charging is
needed, Antigravity recommends that
its charger, not chargers for lead-acid
batteries, be used.
THE VERDICT:
Lithium-battery technology has
removed many of the inconveniences,
performance problems and much
of the weight of lead-acid batteries.
Antigravity’s direct-replacement models
are even better. They eliminate the
installation hassles associated with
lithium batteries that don’t fit battery
compartments. q
ANTIGRAVITY DIRECT-REPLACEMENT
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
CONTACT: Antigravity Batteries; www.
antigravitybatteries.com, (310) 527-
2330
RATING: HHHHH
PRICE: $180
Antigravity’s direct-replacement battery’s size and terminal locations match the stock battery for easier
installation than other lithium batteries.
The Antigravity lithium battery is a perfect fit in the Honda 450R’s battery box, but it’s lighter, more
powerful and needs less maintenance than the stock battery.