Battery problem?

[tzsuzuki]

I purchased a 2015 xc300e racing this past June. The battery that came in it failed in 6 weeks. The dealer gave me a new one, thought nothing more about it. A month ago that battery seemed to get weak, wasn't spinning starter. I was using a battery tender on it to keep it up even though I ride it at least once a week.
I bought a Lithuim ion battery this time around, partly for the weight savings. This morning it wouldn't spin the starter. I kicked it took many kicks to get it started which I thought odd, it was cold though.
I rode about ten miles returned to the truck for a break. When I went to start it it wouldn't. This time the lights didn't work or the horn. No spark either.
When I got home I put the old lead acid battery in, lights and horn work, kicked it over started. I measured the voltage when running 14 volts.
Do I have some underlying problem causing this?
Why wouldn't the bike start with a dead battery? I remember reading that once a lithium battery is discharged to a certain point it has some protection built in that prevents further discharge and damage.
Any thoughts?

[Lotus54]

I have up in the Lithium batteries, they don't work for a darn in the cold.

[twowheels]

Lithium batteries like to be "pre-stressed" a little to work in the cold. Engage the starter button a little, for a short time, to cause some draw on the battery, and then it should be to full power.

Still, considering the design of the starter it may be best to take a cue from the Austrians and consider the e-start to be a "re" starter, using your leg for the first fire in the morning.

[tzsuzuki]

Originally Posted by twowheels

Lithium batteries like to be "pre-stressed" a little to work in the cold. Engage the starter button a little, for a short time, to cause some draw on the battery, and then it should be to full power.

Still, considering the design of the starter it may be best to take a cue from the Austrians and consider the e-start to be a "re" starter, using your leg for the first fire in the morning.

While I agree about using it as more of a re-starter, I am still wondering why it would not start and showed no spark at the plug with the dead lithium battery?

[Lotus54]

Charging voltage at about 14Vdc is good (it will change depending on RPM to some degree-best if not over about 14.3)

I dont know for certain how the ignition is on those bikes, but most I see (similar) are totally separate.

[hamilton]

When I first got my 15 it had a start problem one time.
Power indicator on multifunction switch not lite, no power to lights, but would kick start. My gut feeling was a key switch/ key switch wiring problem.
Started with the basics first, good connections at battery, removed the start system fuse and checked, looked ok and resistance was good. Replaced the fuse any how. It hasn't missed a beat since then, but I really think it was in the key switch.